Cheshunt loose opening cup game

RFU Junior Vase. Round 1
Thetford 42 Cheshunt 10

Cheshunt were comprehensively dumped out the national cup by an entertaining Thetford outfit, who ran in four second half tries in an exhibition of running rugby. C’s got off to the worst possible start, after conceding a penalty from the kick off, a quick tap was taken which caught the visitors napping; the ball was fed to the right winger who crossed in the corner. They were lucky not to go further behind; Thetford countered from their own half and wasted an opportunity outnumbering the Cheshunt defence on the 22, the attempted scoring pass was adjudged forward. Gradually Cheshunt started to get into the match and enjoyed some continued possession in the Thetford 22, after several re-cycled efforts were halted, a chip ahead was knocked on near the line and the home side were able to clear. Thetford then worked down field and earnt a 5 yard lineout, C’s nicked the ball against the throw but could only clear to 15 yards out, this time Thetford secured the ball, but spilt it in midfield, Omid Amani and Mike Henderson combined to take play back to halfway, but not enough forwards could get to the breakdown and turnover ball proved fateful. A chip ahead, back to the 22 bounced nicely for the Thetford centre to collect and score under the posts 12-0 after 22 minutes. The pack started to exert some pressure from the re-start, earning a penalty that allowed them to kick to the corner, but unable to hang onto the ball without transgressing at the breakdown again allowed the home side to clear. Cheshunt were soon back in the danger zone, Dan Saunders and Declan Walker instrumental in starting the attack and Walker was involved again to get the ball close to the line, after a couple of phases the ball found its way to Dean Gardener, who span out of tackles and over the line, unfortunately injuring himself in the process. Thetford though were able to extend their lead when again the pack were penalised at the breakdown, indiscipline took the penalty 10 yards closer and the fly half converted for a 15-5 advantage. Cheshunt had the last word of the half however, and it should have given them the base to build a second half comeback. Beginning to get the upper hand in the scrum and enjoying at least parity at the lineout, they were able to exert some pressure towards the end of the half, a penalty allowed Reece Shoobridge a kick to the corner and a catch and drive from the lineout saw Connor Pearce touch down and reduce the deficit to 5 points at the half time whistle. Unfortunately, two early scores for the home side after the break saw them stretch away, a penalty from the kick off, after the Cheshunt pack again were unable to continually secure the ball without infringing, was quickly added to after the re-start. The talented Thetford full back carved through the middle from his own 22, he stormed 50 yards up the pitch and as cover came across he found the centre in support who ran in from 30 yards, 23-10. Thetford were soon out of sight, again the fullback the provider, collecting the ball just inside his own half on a tremendous run he eluded several would be Cheshunt tacklers, he found support again and the lead was extended to 18 points. Although C’s had their moments in the second period, poor decision making close to the line, then poor tackling, allowed Thetford to escape from their 22, the fullback continued to be influential in every Thetford attack, making yet another try which was converted. The final score came as Cheshunt were desperate to get back on the board, a wayward pass was intercepted on the 10 metre line, an easy run in for the final try and conversion taking the score to 42-10. On the whole, Cheshunt have enjoyed a positive start to the season, with most of the squad getting a run out in the warm up match, or the cup games, before the league campaign starts next weekend. A true measure of their league aspirations will be tested with a visit to Kilburn on Saturday.

Hussey. R, Morris, Bagley, Gardener, Hounslow, Henderson, Duligall, Pearce, Daymon, Shoobridge, Walker, Latour, Valentine, Amani, Saunders. Replacements – Hussey. A, Phillips, Angell, Claridge.