Match Report – by Andrew Grant

This was always an eagerly awaited welcome to Weedon Lane for an Eton Manor side still managing to ride high in 3rd place within an increasingly competitive league . Following a recent loss to lowly Leyton Buzzard RFC and after a narrow previous come-back win over us (38 -29) in the wilderness of Wanstead there was from the outset a strong sense of optimism from our young Chiltern side to ensure a win and continue our progress climbing the league table.
I think helpfully our pitch couldn’t have been more traditional and more opposite from the modern artificial surface. Reminding me of a recent trek over Rannoch Moore, en-route to Glencoe, the wind and rain was relentless and ensured a fair degree of boggy mush to challenge and vary rugby styles. It was therefore no surprise that this match-up would be forward focussed and that ‘the pill’ would be best placed ‘up the jumper’ rather then being exposed in the air being passed from hand to hand from fast and slick sets of backs. It was a Scottish style pitch and day with the Gods from kick off just seeming to be aligned.
From kick-off the Gods earth was mud, the wind was strong and the fire was out. The ball didn’t bounce it splatted and slid. Passes varied in the wind and knock-ons were plentiful. It couldn’t have been further away from the artificialness of 4G. Suprisingly though it was in fact 4G specialists Eton Manor who started with more purpose. There was strong forward running with some outstanding tackling in defence from both sides. Held up on the A&C try line on a couple of occasions and with some superb counter-rucks and offensive scrummaging Manor were frustrated that their efforts had resulted in no points being earned.
Opportunity then knocked on 10mins when Jordon Scott was sent to ‘the Cooler’ for naughtiness ( I thought he was a wee bit high in the tackle a couple of times). Regardless though A&C made their own gains and continued to defend their try line. It was though breached on the 28th mins with the appearance of a winger and a silky speedy run to score the opening and only Eton Manor try of the day. The conversion was missed (0 – 5).
There was then little between the sides for the rest of the half. Considering the weather lineouts and scrums were competitive and effective. All credit to the players. There was nothing between the sides with strong tackling and decent handling. Even at half-time you could tell the tacklers as they seemed to be wearing the same strip (all brown) – nice! Half-time (0 – 5)
Then, as if by magic the rain stopped, the wind reduced and the sun popped out briefly and said ‘hello’. It shone on back row Jason Kilbey who with strength, persistence and panache drove over the Eton Manor line to score a levelling try under the posts. (5 – 5). Noah Jarvis slotted the conversion neatly and tidily all witnessed by an emerging crowd freeing themselves from the past shelter and copious amount of food and alcohol offered in the clubhouse on ‘Digger day’. (5 – 7)
From then on the mood had changed. A&C had lowered their penalty count with Eton Manor becoming more penalty prone. As time passed there was an increased frustration in the Manor camp which resulted in a couple of significant Chiltern gains following needless debate from players to the referee. This all provided Chiltern with the opportunity to press ahead and on 70 mins and decisively a penalty was awarded in front of the posts and Noah duly converted (10 – 5)
Eton Manor by this time seemed powerless to make any further impression. The lead was maintained and in fact could have been increased. In the end confident and well-deserved ‘Digger Day’ winners. Always good to win on ‘Digger Day’!

Highlights
• Hearing again ‘we are red , we are white, we are Chiltern dynamite’
• Closing out a well deserved win, consistent and wet weather style rugby match against a higher placed and confident side
• Welcoming Scott Kilbey to our bench and confusing the opposition when we replaced a Kilbey for a Kilbey. Can you imagine both Kilbey’s in the same team?
• Stuart Rogers making sure both towels were dry and that all balls were dry – impressive!!
• A glorious ‘apres – rugby’ on ‘Digger Day’ victorious and undoubtedly a win to savour
• My Man of the Match – a titan amongst many but has to be Jordan Scott – always made his gains with speed, strength and sound handling. A fantastic No8 performance.

In a fortnight
No games next week for the firsts and opportunity to relax and recover. On 5th March 2022 we are off to the seaside and to the soon to be city of Southend. I can’t wait for an ice-cream, some karaoke and a lollipop. There will be a coach and of course all supporters welcome. 8th v 5th and all to play for.

Amersham and Chiltern RFC (1XV)
1. Reece Elliot
2. Joe Batt (Vice-Captain)
3. Doug MacGregor-Smith
4. Kieran Booth
5. Jacques O’Driscoll
6. Jason Kilbey
7. Josh Finch (Captain)
8. Jordan Scott (Man of the Match)
9. Ben Harris
10. Noah Jarvis
11. Jack Kenyon
12. Dan Kingsley
13. Robert Hughes
14. Peter Hughes
15. Ben Pothecary
16. Charlie Doyle
17. Scott Kilbey
18. Craig Whyte