26/02/12 – U16s Away friendly Vs Twickenham

On glorious Sunday 26/02/12 Chipstead U16s were away to play Twickenham RFC. With sufficient numbers available to both sides and to allow all players a decent run out it was decided to play 3 x 25 mins sessions.

Twickenham won the toss and elected to receive the kick from Chipstead. The first session commenced and it was clear it was to be a close fought game with the potential to see some good rugby. Chipstead utilised distance kicks to put early pressure on Twickenham but couldn’t capitalise. Both teams showed some good attacking moves but were not able to score leading to a full on game from one end to the other. Neither team really had the upper hand and despite some missed tackles by some Chipstead players we were saved by others. Twickenham were first to score a converted try to take the lead. Eventually Chipstead won loose ball and fed it down the line to see Luke Dawson take the ball at outside centre to force his way over the line and score an unconverted try.
End of first session Chipstead 5 – Twickenham 7

The second half commenced with player and positional changes to both sides but again a competitive game ensued from the outset until Twickenham were able to take an early lead and score a converted break away try. Twickenham managed to feed the ball out to their backs taking the ball at pace to score a second converted try. Chipstead tried to counter attack at every opportunity and saw Dom Barber, moved to full back, secure Twickenham kick throughs to counter attack from within our own “22” on several occasions some of which made good ground and other he was unable to chase his return kick through owing to belated tackles. Undeterred Chipstead applied pressure when they could and this led to Twickenham conceded a penalty on their own “5 meter” line. Penalty re-start saw Harry Dudley take the crash ball to force his way past Twickenham defenders to score our only try of that session (and his first for Chipstead !)
End of second session Chipstead 5 – Twickenham 14.

Third and final session with further changes to players and positions. Chipstead kicked off and chasing down their own kick put Twickenham under pressure and held them in the middle of the park for a period with nether team able to advance. With fresh backs on the pitch Twickenham showed some flare and score two tries, taking the ball at pace to exploit gaps in our defence. Chipstead continued to work hard despite the heat of the day and the work rate of Archie Mackay was repaid when he scored a deserved try for Chipstead. Finding themselves in our “22” Twickenham forwards were then also able to recycle the ball and score their third try and extend their lead further.
End of final session Chipstead 5 – Twickenham 15.


OVERALL; Chipstead continued to compete for everything and the forwards did well in the scrums but were not effective in our lineouts. Notably Tiernan White kept his opposite scrum half under pressure during his session. Notable forward players were Lewis Hayley for work rate and tackles and Jordan Mack who secured high and loose balls. Harry Dudley not only for scoring his first try for Chipstead but also doing a great job assuming new position as prop.
Of note in the backs was some good running lines by Jordan “JC” Cope whose efforts couldn’t be converted to tries.

SQUAD; Asher Stephens, Dan Shute, Joe Harrison, Tom Downes, Jordan Cope, Luke Dawson, Dominic Barber, Tom Clark, Tiernan White, Tom Downes, Archie Mackay, Adam Naraine, Matt Wood-Thatcher, Luke Truelove, Lewis Hayley, Jordan Mack, Josh Driver, Harry Dudley, Dillon Clarke, Ted Stoner, Josh Morris & James Jacklin-Timms.

Despite the score line good days rugby with positives to be taken.
Even better when everyone getting a proper run outs and no injuries!!

Well done all in hot conditions

Pete B, Nigel & Peter M