Chipstead repping Surrey

After a great season for Chipstead, 6 players were selected to play in the annual presidents match vs Sussex along with other players from Surrey 1 & 2 clubs such as Battersea Ironsides and Old Whitgiftians.

Ryan Dupe, Adam Vallance and Tom Colyer were to start with Michael Mason, Ed Bush and Mitchell Lock to be among the replacements. However due to some tactical swaps and last minute changes all players were to start apart from Mason. Mitch in familiar prop territory, Dupe an unorthodox 7, Vallance at normal centre, Bush filling in at full back with usual full back Colyer covering wing. Mason providing the water as well as only he can.

Dupe got the ball rolling for surrey with a crash from 5m out. Surrey got a couple more tries along with a penalty for Sussex. Sussex's players were mainly from host club Pulborough who had won Sussex 1 at a canter with 16 wins and unbeaten.

Ed Bush then went off with suspected dislocated knee followed by a Sussex player with the same injury we wish them both a speedy recovery.

Half time came and the message clear to keep going with heads up and rugby and the result will come our way.

After 49 minutes Dupe was to be replaced by Mason however that was delayed by 10 minutes as he was given a yellow for a team concession of penalties as Sussex were starting to gain momentum. Mason finally made his first foray in a Surrey shirt on 59 minutes and made a couple of big hits and a big carry to earn the plaudits of the home sides fans.

Final score 29-18 to Surrey and the first win since 2010 in this fixture for the 'Oaks' and all watching we're proud of all players representing the Maroon and Dark blues. All in all a good tester for the Chipstead boys to show that they can compete at the top end of surrey county league rugby and a good atmosphere as next time we meet the players we played along side will be next season in surrey 1 attempting to get the better over each other.

Well played to all. Go on Chips.