It was always going to be a hill to climb; notoriously strong opponents, on their home turf, without a game lost this season. But proudly we can report that not only did the A team boys stand up and compete they did so with grit and determination displaying probably their best game performance this season.

The coaches knew a rigorous and sweat-inducing warmup was the 1st order of the day with tackling contact, line-outs and penalty starts were critical in trying to abate our customary early match doldrums. Bright sun shining on dry fields helped this process enabling us to take to the field at midday after some encouraging words from the ex Chair of the Minis and Juniors.

A vigorous start saw a very physical Chipstead take possession, ship the ball along the line through several pairs of deft hands and score a 'questionable' try in the corner. Nevertheless once converted, put us back 7 points within the 1st 5 minutes. Only minutes later despite a solid defence and a better than ever commitment from everyone to secure loose ball we conceded a penalty for a very legal attack which they kicked to success and another 3 points.

But from then on we settled down, got into our stride, played with some real confidence and the pre-match infamy of Chipstead’s ‘superior strength’ up front started to erode. Our front 8 showed their brawn, getting progressively hungrier and hungrier for loose ball, recycling and making it available in a style we've been striving for all season. In the scrum Samuel Evans, Paddy Mallows and Ollie Leake were steadfast getting better and better as a real rock of a front row with the power house behind from Tom Cribbens, Louis Quarendon and the other in the back row. Paddy's unceasing appetite for 'any advantage' only out-shone by his gymnastic ability to trawl ball back in the scrum even when the opposition have won it!

Our line-out possession was precise, with some good taken ball on our throw and good options with a short line. Our opposing of their thrown-in ball was still a little slow but the support was there and in time will come.

Jediael Stiling, keen to prove his worth made a real name for himself harrying the opposition in the style of a real no.7, outstanding in attack, solid in defence. Christian Wright too, alert and effective from the break down and always in abundance in attack. Matthew West captained with canny leadership, making strident attacking runs, but was beaten back on more than one occasion. Matt Barnett coming on at half time made another unwavering defender and tackled his guts out.

James Bacon had his work cut out with both the oppo 9 fringing in the scrum and their 8 breaking his bind early but fought well affording Harvey Cutmore good ball without delay. Harvey's kick and striking, running ability was much missed when a particularly hard tackle put him off in the 15th minute with a bruised rib. Liam Sullivan filled the void with an outstanding performance, energetic decisive and always ready to defend against boys of several stone in weight advantage. His was the game of the season for so many of us, proving minute after minute his game sense and guts are his greatest strengths.

Luca Fassio and Max Robertson, both wiry and hard in their running game hacked away at their defence and only narrowly missing several scoring opportunities each. Glenmore Haydon had his game of the season, running straight and true in attack, never failing to let the opposition realise his sinewy strength and in defence his superior tackling once again save us from a much bigger defeat. Harry Fisher substituting for an injured Christopher Bell had many a close to scoring run and showed better hands than ever.

Thought the boys put in the best performance of the season today. Apart from 5 mins of shell shock from what they were up against they were the best team for the last 15 min. The pack I thought grew as the game went on. Everyone listened and took on board early criticism and put it right, which was really encouraging from a coaching stand point. Second half forward performance was fantastic with the recent rucking coaching showing dividends once the boys started getting in better body positions with the ball.

Proud coaches

Man of the match: Liam Sullivan