Chesham RUFC

On a very wet and windy afternoon the match with Hungerford kick off early to save the boys getting cold in the driving rain.  It’s a depleted Stags team today with a number of players out of the game, so the sides are starting with 14 players, Stags will have to play the match without any subs.  Hungerford kick-off and drive forward putting early pressure on the Stags.  From the offset it was clear this was going to be a physical game played mainly up the middle.  A hard drive from Hungerford and they push over the line for a try.  As the teams pick themselves up one player is still down, Oliver H.  The first aid team kick in and the conversion kick is held up while Oliver is taken care of, sadly it looks like it will be the end of his involvement in the game today, a twisted knee, but it should recover in time for the next league game. Hungerford miss the conversion when play resumes.

5-0

A fast reply from the Stags with William tearing through for the ultimate response to Hungerford, Rex showing true captain bravely steps up and takes the conversions, as all the Stags kickers are out for the game.

5-5

With only 10mins on the clock Rex executes a scissor pass to Toby who fearless charges into 3 of the larger boys on the field and battles over for another stags try, maybe the early pressure from Hungerford had caught the stags unaware and they where now taking control of the game.  The conversion goes wide, with the wind and rain it’s a big ask.

5-10

Hungerford aren’t taking it laying down and come back at the Stags, using their no8 to good effect driving through the middle of the pitch.  The rain is resulting in a lot of dropped balls and unforced errors, with Hungerford jumping on this to break through and drive over the line.  It’s a wide angle for the kicker, it falls short of the posts.  

10-10

It’s a tight game, with a lot of play focused on driving up through the middle, both teams are playing hard to get the upper hand and passion runs over after a hard fought maul.  The players are separated and the ref calls over the captains and lays down the law.  Scrum to Hungerford and the battle for the middle goes on.  It’s getting close to half time with Hungerford pushing hard on the Stags Defence, despite their best efforts Hungerford get over the line right at the end of the half, with the missed conversion the last play, Hungerford end the first up on top.  

15-10

Play resumes for the second half, the weather has cleared up and the rain has stopped.  In response we see some more running with the Stags getting the ball out wide, they break from within their own half, but a high tackle puts an end to the break, Stags kick to the half way line and win the line out, driving forward.  Scrum 15 yards out, Stags put in, Reece picks and goes he could be to score.  The ref calls them back for an infraction in the scrum.  

Hungerford knock on, William grabs the ball and breaks but is tackled hard dropping the ball in the process, the wet ball is still causing problems all over the pitch.  Finally we see some solid passing down the line from the Stags, all the way out to Noah who breaks down the wing, two to beat, he hands off the first, steps in on the second and is away, running the ball in and under the posts.  Rex steps up and over it goes, first conversion of the game.  

15-17

Hungerford come back at the Stags pushing deep into the Stags half, the ball comes loose and Noah is away, a high tackle stops him getting a second, tempers flare briefly but are quickly brought under control.  Hungerford push forward and it’s the Stags turn to be penalised for a high tackle, they make the most of the penalty and move the ball quickly passing down the line and exposing the Stags, Noah makes a good saving tackle but the Stags are on the defensive.  Hungerford keep pushing and it finally pays off as they go over the line with 10mins to go.  They can’t convert leaving the door open for the Stags.  

20-17

A good kick off from the Stags, they quickly chase putting the Hungerford full back under pressure, he kicks to touch.  Reece steals the ball at the line out but is called back for a Hungerford knock on, Chesham Scrum, William tries to drive up the middle, but is stopped, Hungerford have been doing a good job blunting the direct attack.  Its getting scrappy with Gera pulled up for a high tackle and Hungerford kick to within 10.  They drive to 5 yards out, but the Stags are defending well, if they could just steal the ball and make a last break!  The ball goes into touch and the ref calls time.  Hungerford get their first win

FT 20-17