Match Report by : Andy Grant
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We travelled the long road through the stunning Suffolk landscapes more in hope than expectation. Sudbury being top of the league, having lost only once with A&C mid-table with some near misses and some notable scalps.
As Stompin’ Tom sings, Sudbury is famous for it’s Saturday nights and for being the birthplace of Thomas Gainsborough (b, 14/5/1727) . Although spirits dampened it’s true to say that the Chiltern Cherubs travelled back on the coach in a resilient style with copious amounts of ale on board ensuring their own style of p*** artistry (with strangely a pirate theme - ohhh arh).
3pm Kick Off and flood lights on, on a dull day with spitting rain. A&C kicked off and again a positive start with pressure being applied to the Sudbury back line. It wasn’t long though until Sudbury began inter-linking well between a well-trained set of backs and mobile fit pack. In a smooth build up Sudbury kicked a straight-forward penalty (offside) (3- 0) prior to a well worked converted try on 10 mins (10-0). There was then no time wasted with another well worked converted try in the 14mins after further sustained pressure and some ‘butter fingers’ in both Chiltern attack and defence. ) (17 – 0)
Things then got a little spicy on 34mins with an always mild-mannered Callum Newton avoiding the referee’s gaze by carrying out a manoeuvre best described a ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ meets ‘Gladiators’. A fine tackle followed by rolly pollies, a foot in the privates and then to finish removal of his top and a pirouette, as some Sudbury players cuddled him for his efforts. Perhaps in the aftermath and in his excitement ‘Captain Chilts’ – Josh Finch then couldn’t resist disrupting Sudbury’s efforts by slapping the ball out of Sudbury control. It was off to the Cooler for young Josh although he did manage to shout very loudly encouraging some strong Chiltern defence and attacks up until half-time. Not for the first time this season he had taken a card for the team. There was still a wee bit of hope following what was a competitive hard fought match by both teams.
Just at that point when the commentator says ‘It’s really important A&C score next’ it was in fact when Sudbury scored (44 mins) (24 – 0). Momentum maintained and with a gloomy sky in 54 mins there was a further converted try (31 – 0). Try of the game though in the 77th minute after a break down the Wing and support from both forwards and backs, Fiji style. The try was such a team effort the conversion was missed owing to his deep breathing.
So Sudbury in control, well drilled and fast tempo. A&C hard-working, offside too much and butter fingers under pressure. Great match and all heads help up high.

Next Week – No game.

Highlights
• Doug McGregor – Smith eventually arriving for an inspirational 20 mins following a ‘Great Escape’ from a pre Remembrance Day Army Luncheon.
• Callum Newton – for his gymnastics, passion and commitment in ensuring opposition players embrace him as often as possible
• Peter Hughes for catching the ball on at least one occasion. ‘Buttery Fingers Hughes’. In saying that though he did use to catch the ball when he wasn’t growing a pubic transplant under his nose.
• Lloyd Anderson for playing on the wing with a huge smile on his face and showing signs again of his twinkly toes and slippery running.
• Max Dugdale quickly recovering from a large amount of wind being taken out of his sails during a full on defensive hit.

Amersham and Chiltern RFC (1XV)
1. Louis Bailey
2. Stuart Rogers
3. Callum Newton
4. Will Drewett
5. Jacques O’Driscoll
6. Andrew Toole
7. Josh Finch (C)
8. Dave Francis
9. Conor Segre
10. Noah Jarvis
11. Peter Hughes
12. Dan Kingsley
13. Robert Hughes
14. Lloyd Simmons
15. Max Dugdale
16. Doug McGregor-Smith
17. Kieran Booth
18. Ben Harris