3rd V 10th - last game of the season - sun out with a noticeable breeze - Digger Day - 2 go down - Oundle unbeaten and runaway leaders - our destiny is in our own hands if we score a minimum of 1 point - If we lose with no points and Harpenden secure a bonus point win over local rivals Harpenden then we could be relegated - exciting day made more so by it being our Centenary year. Would A&C be too good to go down?

On this performance - what was all the fuss about?

Well, where do I start? From the kick-off and in fact the first 15 mins matters looked pretty bleak. Sudbury had clearly been warming up on their coach as goodness me they hit the ground running. Their No8 clearly meant business making the gains with both their winger (11) and centre (12) find-ing space and punishing what needed to be a firm Chiltern defence. Attacks were relentless and from some recent experiences very much the Sudbury style of play. It only took 5mins for the open-ing Sudbury converted try (0-7) and then only another 5mins to nail the 2nd. Winger (11) hurling himself through and into the corner. A tough conversion missed. (0-12).

With the Centenary kit still a pristine white I don’t think I was alone in fearing it could be another tough day against Sudbury. With some encouraging chat behind the posts a plan was hatched to counter the relentless Sudbury attack.

Dan Kingsley led by example at Centre scoring our opener, converted by Tom Fawssett on 12mins (7-12). Then for the next 15mins or so A&C began to continue to fight back through some positive front row rampages, sound scrummaging and line out set pieces and some good strategic kicking into the healthy breeze. On 27mins A&C were rewarded with our 2nd try from No10 Alex Bower fin-ishing well and allowing maximum points with a conversion from Tom Fawssett.(14-12).

Overhearing some chat behind the posts Sudbury felt it was a slip up and could be fixed. On 38 our Serbian winger Bojan Cecaric compounded concerns beautifully with a quite wonderful gallop through the middle and providing another try under the posts. Again, Tom converted (21-12). We had definitely poked the Sudbury bear and in a show of strength only 3 mins later with potent attack a converted try was secured just before half-time (HT 21-19). Every optimism now for the 2nd half with the breeze and playing to a large and expectant ‘Digger Day’ crowd. 3 tries also scored and just one more and hallelujah!

Sudbury though hadn’t gone away and their ‘axis of evil’ was causing the Chiltern defence a great deal of challenge. Would Chiltern come of age or buckle under the pressure? Only 4mins into the 2nd half Sudbury sent the message with another slick move and try in the corner.
A tough conversion missed (21-24). Did they have the momentum now to do us? Another game we could/should have won? A glorious defeat and deserving of a 4th which was never scored? It had a horrible feel that this could happen.

But then suddenly there were some amazing interventions and especially a period of defending by Chiltern that was both inspiring and very well-timed. Sudbury piled it on. It was like trying to kill a troublesome wasp. The hits went in and with lots of wriggling and effort A&C fought back with ‘marks’ called, hunting in defence and amazing teamwork and resilience.

The resulting energy then proved to be decisive and will go down into A&C history. After some great attacks from Chiltern it was Dan Kingsley scoring the all-important 4th try and converted by Tom (28 - 24). Soon after Bojan again went over finishing a terrific backs move and securing our 5th try (missed conversion) 33-24 and then in the closing 15 mins A&C cut free and played some of the best attacking rugby of the season.

Max Morphey scored a well-deserved try being too big to stop. Converted by Noah (off the bench) (40-24). Captain Josh Finch then finished off another break away try with some champagne touches before hand clapping our supporters in celebration. Again, converted by Noah Jarvis (47-24). Kaspar Strugar then had the joy of finishing off one of the most perfect try’s of the day. Secured by the for-wards, some pistons, involvement then of all the backs with Kaspar diving over.

Both players and crowd were overwhelmed - Sudbury wonderful in defeat and then the realisation we need to go again and do even better next season.

Next week there is the players dinner and awards. Pre-season will Start at the end of June.

Come on up and be part of something very special.

See you next season, thank you for all you support.

Team - 1. Doug MacGregor-Smith 2. Joe Batt 3. Max Morphey 4. Harry Bradshaw 5. Jacques O’Driscoll 6. Andrew Toole 7. Josh Finch (Captain) 8. Jordan Scott 9. Conor Segre 10. Alex Bower 11. Tom Fawssett 12. Dan Kingsley 13. Kasper Strugar 14. Tom Fawssett 15. Ben Harris 16. Charlie Swerling 17. Kazim Olayinka 18. Noah Jarvis