U 13 - Match centre

Nando’s Cup (Bristol Grammar School)
Chippenham RFC
su 24 maalis 10:00 - Friendly Full time

Rugby is the winner as the Chiefs enjoy their day in the sun

By

Beautiful weather, Beautiful grounds, Beautiful rugby and lots of happy chiefs as Chippenham go undefeated at the Nando's cup.

On a lovely sunny day, Chippenham made the trip west on the M4 to the stunning sports grounds of Bristol Grammar School to take part in the Bristol Bears Community Nando's cup. Despite the disappointment of there being no actual Nando's available at the venue, mainly from the coaches and parents, the players prepared for what would be a long day of rugby. With seven games in total the coaches knew that starting fast would be vital and set about getting the players ready for the first game.

St Brendans were the first team up and the Chiefs started like a house on fire, quick rucks, amazing offloads, fancy footwork, pace and power all combined as 3 quick tries were scored. The opposition got back into the game as the Chiefs had a funny five minutes gifting 2 fairly soft tries. A quick regroup and Chippenham went again, grabbing another brace of tries before St Brendans got a final consolation late on.

With no time to rest, the Chiefs were straight back into action for their second fixture against Broad Plains, a team that had beaten Chippenham last week. Again the team started amazingly, showing a ruthless, cutting edge that Broad Plains just couldn't deal with. Unlike the last game Chippenham did not let up, showing great determination in defence and creativity in attack, the Chiefs were able to hold their opponents to zero whilst scoring some great team tries of their own.

After a blistering start of two game back to back the Chiefs had a couple of games break to refuel and refocus ahead of the next match, the coaches were busy giving instructions, although some were seen sunbathing, and the ice was being applied to any bumps and bruises. With Clifton up next, the boys new there would be no let up in intensity, with the centre from Clifton proving, in previous games, hard to bring down. Despite a few early errors from Chippenham and some outstanding last ditch tackling from Clifton, the Chiefs kept pounding at the try line, trying to find a way to unlock the resolute Clifton defence. Eventually the barriers gave way and Chippenham ran in another handful of tries but, more impressive for the coaching team, was the fact that for the second game in a row the opposition hadn't crossed the try line.

A more familiar and local team were up next for Chippenham with Supermarine being the fourth match. Having played them twice already this season and both teams winning one, everyone knew it was going to be a tough match. Despite going two tries up early in the game, the Chiefs could never feel completely comfortable, with the dangerous combination at 10 and 12 for Supermarine always causing a threat whenever they got the ball. One such effort resulted in the Supermarine try, Chippenhams' first conceded in 2 games. Although the disappointment of conceding was evident, the Chiefs bounced straight back with three unanswered tries to finish the match. Played 4 won 4 onto the next.

Next up were Minchinhampton, a team that this friendly match reporter can not remember us playing before but who has just been informed, debuted in the outstanding Chippenham Mini's festival this year. Despite tiredness starting to set in, Chippenham knew they only had 3 games left and needed a big push to reach their goals for the end of the festival. The Chiefs defence proved pivotal against Minchinhampton, constantly forcing the opposition back and giving them no territory and very little time on the ball. When it was time to attack the Chiefs took full advantage, finding space with deft hands and powerful running. Another impressive all round team performance and again managing to keep their try line intact.

The penultimate game was always going to be the toughest, with a very strong Taunton team, who had also gone unbeaten thus far, for the Chiefs to do battle with, and battle they did. The entire match was played at incredible pace with both teams having periods on top before Chippenhams pace and power in attack proved that little bit too good for Taunton. A fantastic game of rugby for the neutrals, but a bit too close for comfort for the coaches and parents watching. 6 from 6 and one game to go

Stroud were the last opponents for the now depleted Chiefs, an injury and a prearranged family meal, meant Chippenham were down two players and a couple of others were walking wounded. Knowing that one last push was all that was required the players took over, the coaches were really tired, gathering the huddle together for the final rallying call and onto the game. The match followed very similar patterns to the other games, with Chippenham proving tight in defence and expansive in attack, again scoring some phenomenal tries with offloading that wouldn't look out of place in a Fijian sevens team. The Chiefs had done it, played 7 won 7 and only conceded 10 tries across the whole festival. Lots of smiles, lots of bumps and bruises, lots of tired bodies and lots of proud coaches. Outstanding today well done everyone.

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Team selection has not been published for this fixture yet.

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