Cheshunt Rugby

London 3 North West by Steve Waller

A Cheshunt victory against old rivals West London keeps them slowly climbing away from the bottom of the table, turning in one of their better performances of the season so far.
Once again they started poorly; giving away early points, a lack of concentration in the defensive line allowed the West London fly half to break through deep into the Cheshunt 22, offside at the ruck gave the visitors an easy penalty kick and a 0-3 lead after 2 minutes.

Cheshunt raised several promising attacks, looking dangerous up until the 22, poor decisions in the red zone let West London off the hook.

After 12 minutes Ben Hounslow reacted quickest to a loose ball just inside the West London half, the rest of the forwards took the ball to 15 yards out and the visitors were penalised for not releasing in the tackle, the following lineout was held up just short but from the scrum No 8 Joel Bailey picked and drove over near the corner to give C’s the lead at 5-3.

The re-start was not collected by the Green and whites and West London were able to spend some time in the Cheshunt 22, they remained there until they too created an opportunity from a scrum near the line, despite the Cheshunt protests of the Scrum turning through 90 degrees, the try was awarded to put the visitors back in front after 22 minutes, with the conversion, they led by 5 points at 5-10.
Skipper Geoff Hayden started the next Cheshunt attack, fielding the ball in his 22, he countered, eluding the West London kick chasers, then finding support from the rest of his backs, the ball was illegally slowed down at a ruck 35 yards out and Reece Shoobridge narrowed the gap to 2 points with a well struck penalty 35 yards out, into the stiff breeze.

A much better re-start saw Bailey run through several tacklers, Omid Amani took the ball down the wing and Cheshunt swarmed up field, another penalty attempt was just wide from Shoobridge, but Cheshunt were now in the ascendancy. West London using the wind to relieve pressure, but Cheshunt were now playing the enterprising rugby and were starting to look the better team but still unable to add to their score before half time.
It didn’t take them long in the second period to regain the lead, turning down a simple penalty chance, they opted to kick for the corner, and this time the catch and drive at the lineout was successful, Alex Clark driving over the line for a 13-10 advantage.

Yet another mistake at the re-start gave West London a chance to draw level with a shot a goal, the attempt went wide. From the 22 drop out, Bailey secured the ball with a great catch, Hayden then cleared down field and Cheshunt were back on the attack.

The home side were reduced to 14 men after Dave Lever was penalised for coming in at the side of a ruck, but they didn’t allow West London any opportunities, Jake Phillips and Jack Girdlestone keeping the visiting forwards on the back foot with some powerful rucking.

Half way through the half, a Shoobridge penalty from 40 yards extended the lead to 16-10, almost immediately pegged back by the visitors when Phillips was deemed guilty of killing the ball just outside the 22. He too was sent to the bin and C’s would have a nervous test, defending again with 14 men.

They still enjoyed the better of the exchanges, Andy Mason and Ross Boulton carrying the ball deep into the West London half, replacement Gary Barton making the hard yards around the fringes of rucks and mauls, then Dave Angell was on hand to accept a pass 20 yards out on the gain line, he side stepped the full back to cross the white wash and put the game beyond the visitors. The second half lasted an incredible 57 minutes and West London were only able to muster one long range penalty attempt, trying to earn the losing bonus point, the attempt fell short and Hounslow was on hand to return the ball back up field.

A trip to London Nigerians is next up for Cheshunt, they lie second in the league and will prove a sterner test, but if Cheshunt can maintain their form and eliminate some of the more obvious mistakes, they can be a match for any team in the league.
Martines, Girdlestone, Phillips, Mason, Hounslow, Clark (Duligall 60), Angell, Bailey (Chantler 68), Shoobridge, Claridge, Amani, Boulton, Corcoran (Barton 70), Lever, Hayden

London 3 North West by Steve Waller

Cheshunt travelled to Bank of England on Saturday and once again regretted giving away early points, which led to them chasing the game and giving away further scores. BoE are always a difficult team to beat at Roehampton, not taking the few opportunities that came their way and gifting the Bank a couple of tries made the score line look more unbalanced than the match was.

An early penalty at the scrum gave Bank the chance to kick deep into the Cheshunt 22 for a lineout; they remained camped on the line until they squeezed over in the corner for a 5-0 lead after just 5 minutes.

The visitors at last got their hands on the ball at the re-start Omid Amani and Geoff Hayden instrumental in getting to within 10 yards of the Bank line, but a penalty at the breakdown let the home side off the hook. Cheshunt lost Sean Donnelly to injury after just 7 minutes and were forced to re-shuffle the scrum. A penalty attempt from Reece Shoobridge from the 10 yard line just crept under the bar, but Cheshunt were beginning to enjoy some possession.

They were caught napping in defence after 16 minutes, a couple of errors from Cheshunt and one from the referee, not seeing a knock on, allowed Bank to continue attacking, the Fly half noticed a gap behind the Cheshunt backs, he chipped ahead and collected the kick to score under the posts, an easy conversion extended the lead to 12-0.

The Green and Whites then spent the next 15 minutes camped in the Bank half, a succession of penalties, scrums and lineout’s just 5 yards out went unrewarded and when another penalty was given away by Cheshunt at the breakdown the home side got back to the 10 yard line. At the next breakdown it was the Banks turn to be penalised at the ruck and Shoobridge this time, got the distance.

The Bank number 6 was sent to the sin bin for playing the ball on the floor at the re-start and C’s realised this was their opportunity to add to their score. The forwards drove at the line, Bank defending well, but just holding on until the ball was thrown wide, isolated Cheshunt backs threw poor passes and the Bank scrum half intercepted just outside his 22, with the whole C’s team committed to attack he ran 70 yards to go in under the posts and Cheshunt were unlucky to be 19-3 down at half time.

It didn’t take very long in the second period for Bank to earn the try bonus point; a nicely worked move in the backs saw the centre run in close to the posts for another easy conversion.

C’s bounced straight back, electing to run a penalty in the visitors 22 was rewarded after Andy Mason had made the hard yards driving towards the line, Hayden drew the defence down the blind side and Dave Lever finished in the corner, 26-8 with over 30 minutes on the clock gave the visitors some hope.
The next ten minutes summed up Cheshunts’ season to date, spending extended time in the opposing 22 but unable to create a real try scoring opportunity, then watching the opposition get back down field, work some space and the right winger suddenly had put the game beyond them, the extras took the score to 33-8

The last 20 minutes saw Cheshunt defend well, but not offer very much in attack, Bank were happy to convert a penalty with the last kick of the game to finish 36-8 winners.

Cheshunt receive Barnet in the Herts Tankard next weekend, they return to league action the following week with a visit from West London.

Martines, Girdlestone, Short, Donnelly (Duligall 7), Mason, Clark, Angell, Bailey, Shoobridge, Hayden, Amani, Thorne (Phillips 60), Boulton, Lever, Starkey (Chantler 40)

 London 3 North West By Steve Waller

Cheshunt returned to winning ways at Andrews Lane on Saturday, with a much improved performance, keeping them just above the danger zone, and will know if they can maintain this standard every week, they will soon be climbing the league table. They will be happy enough with the win and four points, but might reflect on the missed opportunities of both claiming a try bonus point and allowing LNZ to come back at the end and claim the losing bonus point.

An early dropped ball immediately allowed LNZ to attack, but a series of solid scrums got Cheshunt back downfield and deeper into the LNZ half and they really started to turn the screw close to the line. A penalty was kicked to the corner and the Cheshunt pack attempted a catch and drive, the referee deemed it was brought to ground illegally and awarded another penalty. The home side elected for the scrum, the pushover seemed likely, again LNZ infringed, another scrum, another penalty and the LNZ No.8 was sin binned for preventing the try by not binding. It seemed inevitable that C’s would score from the next scrum, but when it collapsed they decided to go wide, a wild pass in midfield was not collected and Cheshunt had let their opponents off the hook.

The game settled down and play remained around the half way mark, the home side dominating the set piece but LNZ always looking dangerous in open play, opting to play at a fast and furious pace.

From a scrum on halfway, Jack Girdlestone won a ball against the head, scrum half Reece Shoobridge noticed a gap behind the defence and chipped the ball into the gap, Dave Lever and Ayden Duligall secured the loose ball just inside the 22 and the ball was sent out to fly half Tom Claridge. He sucked in the covering defence, then gave a sublime pass to Matt Corcoran on the gain line, who was able to scythe through and touch down under the posts, Shoobridge added the extras to give C’s a deserved 7-0 lead after 35 minutes.

The visitors responded almost immediately, the re-start was poorly dealt with by Cheshunt and they were stuck in their own 22, LNZ worked enough space out on the left and were back in the match at 7-5 at half time.

LNZ continued to look dangerous and from the start of the second period tried to keep the ball alive, when the ball became loose, centre Alan Thorne reacted quickest, his kick ahead was collected by Girdlestone who passed to Lever, yards short he passed back inside to the supporting forwards, but they were held up just short. Another series of scrums close to the line were this time rewarded, when they were able to create enough space back down the left wing for Lever to squeeze in the corner and Cheshunt had the 7 point advantage back after 6 minutes of the half.

The visitors started to win a little more ball, the No.8 dealing superbly with the ball at the back of a scrum going backwards, his pick and drives giving the Kiwis a base to work from. They were awarded a penalty after 13 minutes, but the effort was pushed wide but they continued to exert pressure, staying in the Cheshunt half. The Green and White defence remained solid and forced a spilt ball on the 22, Geoff Hayden seized on the loose ball and ran to halfway, as the cover came across he passed to Lever, who had enough gas to run to the line to complete his brace, a 17-5 lead with 20 minutes to go, gave the crowd hope for the bonus point.

Cheshunt had rung the changes, emptying the bench in an effort to keep pace with the LNZ attacks, which they managed until just before the final whistle, LNZ eventually touching down, unconverted, the lead was cut to 17-10 and it led to a frantic last play. Cheshunt were guilty of giving away a penalty at the re-start, just outside the LNZ 22 metre line, a quick tap and some sloppy concentration, saw the fly half quickly get into the Cheshunt half, C’s defenders were catching him and he decided to give his right winger the chance to chase his kick to the Cheshunt try line. Fortunately, replacement winger Jack Gutteridge was alert and easily quick enough to get back first and with his touch down came the final whistle.

An important few weeks lie ahead of the Green and Whites, a difficult trip to the Bank of England is followed by a visit from Barnet Old Elizabethans in the Herts Tankard, the following week they host West London, they will hope they can maintain form and avoid injuries now the squad has started to operate at a higher level.

Martines (Short 55), Girdlestone, Phillips, Donnelly, Mason (Linsell 72), Angell. Duligall, Bailey, Shoobridge, Claridge, Lever (Gutteridge 70), Thorne, Corcoran, Boulton, Hayden.

RFU Senior Vase by Steve Waller

Cheshunt crashed out of the RFU Senior Vase to a well organised and efficient Harlow outfit. They did little to help their chances and were always chasing the game after giving away two soft tries in the opening 4 minutes.

From the kick off, a Harlow prop forward collected the ball in his 22, he steamrollered through the first tackler and was immediately behind the Cheshunt defence, he passed to a supporting second row who took the ball into the Cheshunt half, drew the covering defence and a nicely weighted pass to the No.8 allowed him a free run to the posts and a simple conversion.

The Green and Whites managed to string a couple of phases together after the re-start, but the Harlow backs charged down a kick on the 10 yard line, they quickly gathered the ball and were 12-0 up.

Cheshunt responded well, from a line out on the 22, centre Alan Thorne surged through the middle, he was held up just short, but the home side could only stop Cheshunt illegally, a quickly taken tap penalty was worked closer to the line by the Cheshunt pack and James Linsell spotted a gap and dived over.

Harlow, were committed to an expansive game and soon had another try, another poor clearance kick from C’s allowed the home side to stay around the 22, a chip through by the scrum half bounced to the in-goal area and the right winger won the race to touch down in the corner.

C’s survived the next red onslaught and were able to work downfield against the stiff breeze, then the home side returned the earlier favour, allowing a kick to be charged down around halfway. Tom Claridge reacted quickly, picked up the loose ball and fed Geoff Hayden on the 10 metre line, he outpaced the covering defenders to touch down in the corner, Reece Shoobridges’ excellent conversion reduced the arrears to 17-12 after 24 minutes.

Harlow remained to their attacking philosophy, but the visitors pinched the ball at a lineout and Dave Angell was on hand to clear to halfway.  Another stolen lineout, this time from Ben Hounslow gave C’s an excellent opportunity, Hayden tore down the left wing. As the cover came across, he chipped to the corner but just lost the race to get their first and Harlow conceded a lineout close to their own line. Cheshunt were once again guilty of not staying on their feet at the breakdown and the play was soon back in the Cheshunt half. Defending near the posts, Andy Mason slowed the ball down and received a yellow card on the half hour mark, a simple penalty extended the home sides lead, and then just before the half time whistle, the fly half added a drop goal to turn around 23-12 ahead.

The visitors enjoyed a terrific start to the second period, Omid Amani and Jack Girdlestone combined well to get Cheshunt to 10 yards out, a couple of penalties were kicked to the corner, attempted catch and drives got C’s close but the ball was finally won back by the home side when C’s were tackled into touch just 3 metres from the line.

Harlow were making the best of their opportunities, Cheshunt unable to convert chances into points and when the home side were next in the C’s 22, a pushover try stretched the lead to 28-12.

Again C’s got back into Harlow territory, Ross Boulton and Hayden working well together, supported by the eager Amani, but once again the effort went unrewarded.

Both sides continued to contribute towards an entertaining game, Harlow happy to be expansive trying to increase the lead, Cheshunt chasing the game, running the ball from deep, which eventually cost them late scores. Cheshunt defended a series of lineouts well and were awarded a penalty and the chance to clear downfield, they tapped quickly and went, but a lack of support led to a penalty to the home side, a kick to the corner, another lineout and this time a successful Harlow catch and drive got over the whitewash.

Another try followed five minutes from time, the Harlow backs created enough space for the replacement centre to score near the posts, with the conversion Harlow had stretched away to 40-12.

A frenetic last five minutes saw play see-saw from one end to the other, but neither team were able to add to their total.

Next week Cheshunt return to league action and they entertain London New Zealand at Andrews Lane.

Short, Girdlestone (Chalk 52), Martines (Phillips 40), Linsell, Mason, Angell, Duligall, Hounslow, Shoobridge, Claridge, Gutteridge (Boulton 40), Corcoran, Thorne (Chantler 65), Amani, Hayden.

 London 3 North West By Steve Waller

HAC (Honourable Artillery Company) remain unbeaten and top of the league, with a well organised and talented display against travelling Cheshunt. The visitors had their moments and perhaps the margin flattered their hosts, but undoubtedly HAC are the team to beat this season.

As early as the 4th minute HAC took the lead with a simple penalty following a scrum, just 4 minutes later they were to score their first try, a break down the left wing took the ball into the 22, several forward surges later they were near the try line and the No. 8 powered over.

The Green and Whites were staring down the barrel when the centre strolled through the Cheshunt defence at the next attack, both tries were converted and HAC had raced into a 17-0 lead.

Only an excellent Aydan Duligall tackle stopped the home side going further ahead, taking the player into touch just metres short. From the lineout C’s cleared downfield and were able to remain in the half with a little continued pressure, which led to a 22 metre drop out, Sean Donnelly collected the kick and fed Geoff Hayden, who joined him at pace, he passed to Tim McSharry on the 22, who went outside the first defender then inside the next and touched down near the corner, Reece Shoobridge hit the post with his conversion attempt, but C’s had started to raise their game.

The game was becoming increasingly open, both sides throwing caution to the strong wind. Duligall remained prominent in defence and when more Cheshunt pressure led to a penalty on the 22, Shoobridge narrowed the gap, with a well struck penalty, to 17-8 after 26 minutes.

They soon reduced the lead further, attacking from near their own line McSharry again found himself in space, as the defence came across he chipped downfield, the bounce beat the fullback, McSharry collected and ran to the line 17-13.
HAC responded before half time, the fly half running in two quick tries, the first he jinked through from 20 metres, he was then able to go through his repertoire and it was followed by a delicate chip, again the bounce favouring the attacking side and HAC had the try bonus point and a 29-13 lead.

Cheshunt attacked at the end of the half, HAC defended desperately and had a man yellow carded, but C’s were unable to trouble the scoreboard again.

The breeze picked up during the match and HAC were able to control territory in the second period, they soon added another converted try and the match was beyond C’s. who still created opportunities, but were unable to get over the line.

HAC started to show why they have accumulated such a huge points difference, some great handling, aided some poor Cheshunt decision making, saw them run in three more tries.

Cheshunt will be encouraged by some spirited defending against the runaway league leaders and know for a brief period, they had competed with HAC, but will also know that they need to sustain pressure and convert chances with a higher success rate.

Next Saturday Cheshunt visit Harlow in the RFU Senior Vase, this is followed by a visit from London New Zealand.

Short, Chalk, Phillips (Craven 60), Linsell, Mason, Donnelly, Duligall, Bailey, Ewing, Shoobridge, Chantler (Corcoran 52), Amani, Boulton, McSharry, Hayden

London 3 North West By Steve Waller

Cheshunt were taught two valuable lessons in a game which they controlled for long periods but were punished for lapses in concentration  The visitors simply defended heroically, particularly in the first period, and capitalised on any opportunities they were given and turned chances into points.

The home side had a fantastic first half territorially, but despite nearly the whole game spent in the Finchley half, and most of it in the 22, turned around 10 points adrift. After just 5 minutes a penalty awarded for offside sailed narrowly wide, this was soon followed by an attack set up by Aydan Duligall, winning the ball back after a tackle on the 10 yard line and setting Tom Claridge, Jack Gutteridge and Alex Clark free, but they were stopped just short. Omid Amani came in off his wing at a great angle; he too was pulled down just a few yards short. Cheshunt remained camped down field, Jake Phillips also getting close, bundled into touch 5 yards out, a desperate clearing kick by Finchley was collected by Geoff Hayden, he set Joel Bailey on the rampage who took the ball deep into the 22, the Green and Whites maintained the pressure until they awarded another penalty, just 6 yards short, this time they elected to take the scrum, a couple of drives went unrewarded and they lost the ball at the breakdown.

Then completely against the run of play, Finchley got into the C’s 22 after a couple of penalties, at a scrum C’s won the ball against the head, encouraged by their recent forays the home side decided to run the ball instead of kicking to touch, another lost ball at the breakdown and suddenly Finchley created room in the corner, after 33 minutes and their first visit to C’s 22, the visitors led 0-5.

More Cheshunt attacks were met by desperate Finchley defending and once again when they had the ball, the visitors spread it wide quickly for the right winger to break free from the half way line, some poor Cheshunt defending saw him bounce off would be tacklers off and he doubled Finchley’s advantage in the 38^th minute.

The last minutes of the half again saw Cheshunt dominate, but again the Finchley defence stood firm and its try line remained unbreached and players and spectators alike were wondering how they were 10 points down and not 20 points up.

After all the pressure in and around the Finchley 22 in the first period, it was a surprise when finally the defence was opened up with a break from halfway, Geoff Hayden noticed a gap and took the ball to the 22, his pass inside found Joel Bailey and he brushed off the last defender to score near the posts, Reece Shoobridge added the conversion and Cheshunt were right back in it at 7-10 with just a few moments of the half gone.

Cheshunt attacked from deep again, Amani breaking down field, support was quick to arrive and again C’s stormed into the 22 and had the chance to draw level with a penalty at the breakdown, but Shoobridge just pushed his effort to the right.

Finchley were starting to get more possession and were able to spend longer periods in the Cheshunt half and when the fly half conned the referee into giving a penalty for obstruction the visitors were able to extend the lead to 7-13.

A couple of lapses in concentration saw Finchley stretch away, a quickly taken tap penalty was worked through hands for the right winger to touch down in the corner, then from a speculative kick down field the right winger was on hand to accept a fortunate bounce and he raced in from halfway to go in under the posts for his hat-trick and his teams try bonus point at 7-25.

Finchley ended the game playing the better rugby, Cheshunt rueing the missed opportunities of earlier in the game and another converted try at the end of the game, flattered the scoreboard for the visitors.

Finchley remain in second place, the league leaders HAC are next up for Cheshunt, followed by a visit to Harlow in the next round of the RFU Senior Vase.

Phillips, Girdlestone, Short (Chalk 63), Donnelly, Linsell, Clark (Angell 36), Duligall, Bailey, Shoobridge, Claridge, Amani, Cummines (Corcoran 48), Thorne, Gutteridge, Hayden.

London 3 North West Match Report By Steve Waller

Cheshunt recorded their second victory of the season without ever hitting top gear, although they strung some promising phases together to once again show their potential.

In difficult conditions at the start, they started brightly, trying to move the ball, despite the drizzle that swept across the pitch, however, London Welsh were able to kick their way out of their half after a succession of penalties and move deep into the Cheshunt 22. A lineout 5 yards out, led to several drives by the Welsh forwards and they powered over the line near the posts after 9 minutes, the conversion gave them a 0-7 lead.

The Green and Whites responded well, a ball against the head at the scrum on half way, was picked by No.8 Alex Clark, he fed scrum half Reece Shoobridge who chipped into the 22, recycled ball through a couple of phases was enough to make room for winger Omid Amani to go over in the right corner, Shoobridge added the conversion to level the scores.

Although C’s played the better rugby, they were grateful for a dropped pass by the Welsh when just 10 yards out, then a tremendous covering tackle from Amani brought down the Full back when he was just 5 yards short. The home side were then able to keep the ball for long periods and work up field. Up front, man of the match Clark kept them driving forward, consistently breaking through the first tackler and getting beyond the gain line. A long range penalty effort, for offside, from Shoobridge fell just short on the stroke of half time and the teams turned around all square.

Again C’s showed great intent from the re-start but a dropped ball led to a London Welsh scrum on half way, they got to within 30 yards when Cheshunt gave away a penalty at the breakdown right in front of the posts which put the visitors back in the lead.

Both sides missed difficult penalty chances, but Cheshunt were looking the more likely to score, persistently playing the better rugby and most of it opposition territory. They came close when a chip ahead was collected by Sean Donnelly, he rounded the first defender but the ball was knocked from his grasp by the last tackler just a few yards short. Finally they were rewarded when Amani took the ball down the right wing, quick ball was fed along the line, Hayden had created the overlap, Jack Gutteridge did well to collect his pass off his toes and still had enough momentum to beat the covering defenders to score in the corner and put Cheshunt ahead leading into the final quarter at 12-10.

Playing in better conditions suited the home team and they continued to control the game but were unable to get the decisive score. Gutteridge and replacement Tom Reynolds set up the next chance when they caught the London Welsh right winger in possession on his 22, but another penalty attempt was pulled wide. Cheshunt remained in the London Welsh half and Aydan Duligall got close which led to a 5 yard scrum, Clark nearly got over, but the visitors kept defending until they conceded another penalty which was successfully converted by Shoobridge to extend the lead to 15-10 with just a few minutes remaining.

Cheshunt were able to with stand the last Welsh attack and were relieved to kick a penalty into touch to end the game. The result sees the Green and Whites climb a couple of places in the league, but a difficult three weeks lie ahead of them.

This weekend they host Holt in the RFU Senior Vase; this is followed by a visit from Finchley, then C’s travel to run away league leaders HAC. However, they will know they are capable of performing at a higher level at which they are currently turning in every week, if they hit form; confidence will soon see them climbing the league table further.

Short, Girdlestone, Phillips (Martines 45), Donnelly (Reynolds 50), Linsell, Angell, Duligall, Clark, Shoobridge, Claridge, Amani, Cummines (Chantler 68), Boulton, Gutteridge, Hayden