Cheers of initial joy became cheers of relief for Tring as Chiltern so nearly timed their gallant
victory to perfection. This was a 4th V 11th in a league where the bottom half are all within a few
points of each other. A couple of wins and you could be mid-table. Great selection of Christmas
jumpers on show with the aroma of turkey and cranberry filling the Hertfordshire air. Notable
travelling support and a strong squad despite some injuries. Max Morphey made a welcome return
to the front row, and Sam Gilbert was recently welcomed from Chinnor in our 2nd row. Robert
Hughes also made a welcome return to the 1s in the back row and, by far, had the most impressive
moustache. Louie Mould also took up the role of stand-off returning following a nasty shoulder
injury. Nathan Cleaver-Brown was also welcomed to the bench on his very first selection for the 1s.
He got on with 5 mins to go, and he was my favourite to score the winning try. How wrong I was.

And so to the action……. Tring started as strongly as they always do at home. Pacey and
relentless in attack, and using the slope into the corner so well when it came to their place kicking.
A tough start for A&C and reflected in the early scoring. Tring's opening try on 4mins with another
following quickly on 8mins - converted (12-0). It wasn’t until the 17th minute that the mighty prop
Max Morphey was poked and came to life with one of his marauding Viking-style rampages. Tough
to stop and over he went with a neat conversion following from centre, Harry Stevens (12-7). With
a touch of luck and extreme good fortune, Tring went at it again, benefitting from a careless charge
down on 22mins - converted (19-7). With Tring suspecting matters could be tight, they took the
opportunity of a penalty on 28 mins (22 - 7). Then, on 35 mins, the subtle shape-shifter that is
Michael McKenzie-Crook floated down the wing scoring in the corner (22-17). With a few Santa
hats dotted around and a sizeable Chiltern support, the alcohol was flowing as the huge Heul
drinks bottle shuddered by the changing room doors. The scene was undoubtedly set for a
cracking 2nd half - Tring were shaken, and with a couple of their players identified as being a little
naughty, Chiltern benefited from the issuing of 2 X yellow cards. Sadly, centre Sammy Sinclair also
got caught up in the mini card frenzy, taking one for the team to even matters out a little.

Tring again opened the scoring on 45 minutes with a try (27-17), followed 2 minutes later by
another penalty (30-17). With a few ‘Yo ho ho’s’ from players and supporters, Tring then delivered
their final try on 60 mins and this time managed the conversion to make 37pts (37-17) with a 20
point lead and 20 mins to go. Tring may have been thinking of their stockings on Christmas
morning, but A&C had a fight back on their minds. In 64 minutes, Louie Mould scored a try that
was duly converted by Harry (37-24). Tring played it cool, but again Chiltern applied the pressure
and did all the running. On 75 minutes it was kicker Harry Stevens going over for another great try,
which he duly converted (37-31). And then the drama of the 80th minute, a real Christmas treat
with Michael McKenzie-Crook again cruising through down the wing and scoring in the corner.
Tring did well to push him out that far as the conversion was going to be tough (37-36). The
conversion fell 2 inches short. Humbug!

It was a memorable game, and for those who travelled, they were blessed by having witnessed it.
Sadly, both games this season have resulted in two one-point defeats at the hands of Tring.

Next Game - Ash Grove (thank Goodness) V North Walsham on Saturday 10th January
2025, 2 pm kO. At the beginning of October, we travelled into deepest Norfolk, which took
a bit of a beating. Traditionally very strong at their home ground, we are hoping again for
some ‘Away fever’ to click in. The weather is going to be gorgeous, I hear, so we will see
you there.

A&C 1XV - 1. Doug McGregor-Smith 2. Charlie Swerling. 3. Max Morphey. 4. Harry Bradshaw. 5.
Sam Gilbert. 6. Robert Hughes. 7. Josh Finch (C) 8. Kazeem Olayinka 9. Ben Harris. 10 . Louie
Mould 11. Michael McKenzie-Crook . 12. Harry Stevens. 13. Sammy Sinclair 14. Josh Fisher. 15.
Alex Bower— Subs 16. Alfie Holland 17. Nathan Cleaver - Brown 18. Noah Jarvis