Match Report by Andrew Grant

After our disappointment from last week’s defeat at high flying Colchester RFC, the visit of Thurrock provided welcome opportunity to secure a morale boosting home win in what’s becoming an increasing competitive league. We started in 9th, with Thurrock 11th and we were determined to follow-up on our previous 33-39 victory at Oakfield.
Of concern though was that Thurrock started they the way the finished in the September sun. They had the majority of possession although from the outset A&C tackled well in all positions. And so was the pattern. Strong Thurrock running in the pack and impressive A&C tackling. At times A&C did go on the offensive only to on occasion make some careless errors to lose momentum. Of additional concern was the A&C line outs as with a much changed pack the Thurrock line secured well their own ball and from time to time managed a steal, which was unhelpful to the A&C cause.
Only on 4 mins Thurrock had opportunity to capitalise from a penalty around the A&C 22yds. With the heavy ground the kick went wide. It wasn’t until the 22nd minute that further opportunity was provided following an off-side and from in front of the posts a Thurrock penalty was kicked for a (0 -3 lead). Thurrock were enjoying the pace and had momentum and again after good pressure on 29mins secured another penalty (0 - 6). I confess it was de-ja-vu for me as Thurrock had finished very strongly previously. We were not firing on all cylinders.
Until 35mins and our forwards broke loose with some silky hands before releasing winger, James Morrison to break through at least a couple of tackles before diving over the try line and managing to avoid a very nearby touchline. (5-6). In fairness a tough conversion was missed. A good time to score they say - and indeed it was.
Thurrock managed some initial second half pressure and secured a further penalty (5-9) before A&C clicked into gear and turned the heat up and the grill on. Jordan Scott lead by example from the second row with some strong running and breaking the line on 57 mins with an inverted try (10 - 9). With our noses in front we then continued to enjoy considerable success in our scrummaging and on 68 mins it was centre Harry West, fresh faced and keen slicing through the Thurrock defence for another unconverted try (15-9). Although a tough day at the office for Noah Jarvis from the kicking tee it was Noah himself who (not for the first time) bundled his way through a number of tackles before scoring under the posts in front of our A&C veteran boy band. Noah put all his hear and sole into that conversion and duly made it (22-9) on 76mins. Only 2 mins later A&C sealed victory and added the extras with a strong running Robert Hill slipping through a hard working Thurrock defence. Final Score (27-9)
Highlights
• Debut to Reece Elliot and fine display from the bench ( fingers crossed you’ll be on that Brentwood Coach as we like a debutant.
• Debut to Harry West with a silky, slippery run to score our 3rd try
• Welcome back Podge (Stuart Rodgers) after a wee bit of time away. It was as if you’d never been away.
• Jordan Scott at 2nd row (my favourite position) - not his first choice but very effec- tive.
• Dave Francis for enjoying number 6 more than he thought he would :)
• A student return by James Morrison, marauding down that wing for the opening try.
• The return and reunion of the A&C original Spice boys. Our rugby superstars of the early 90s. A great night was had by all.
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Amersham and Chiltern RFC (1XV)
1. Doug MacGregor-Smith
2. Stuart Rodgers
3. Charlie Doyle
4. Will Drewett
5. Jordan Scott (2nd try 57mins)
6. Dave Francis
7. Josh Finch
8. Aidan Caldwell
9. Conor Segre
10. Alex Bower
11. James Morrison (1st try - 35mins)
12. Noah Jarvis (4th try - 76mins)
13. Robert Hughes
14. Robert Hill (5th try - 78mins)
15. Ben Pothecary
16. Joe Batt
17. Reece Elliot
18. Harry West (3rd try 68mins)
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Next Week - We are all aboard the Happy Bus for our familiar trip to Essex County. This time to Brentwood. Famous as being the setting for the TV comedy ‘Birds of a Feather’ and for giving home to the likes of Steve Davis (Snooker), Ross Kemp (actor), Ray Parlour (Arsenal

footballer) and one of my favourites (singer) Pixie Lott. This is the return fixture following our home defeat 12 - 13. Brentwood currently sit one above us in 7th (43pts) only 6pts ahead. It would be terrific to get some supporters to join us as we ‘go through the key hole’ in the Essex countryside.