Seconds Team score line does not tell the story

Chinnor Seconds travelled to Esher RFC to play their 2nd team. Until now we have always played their 3rd team which had always proved to be a tough game. So today was destined to be a challenge of note. Although the club has a lot of players, 18 to be precise, injured or unavailable, we were again challenged in putting a side together and had to rely on players with injuries and those coming to help us out and hoping to not to be called on.

Unlike Chinnor, Esher have a large squad and coaching staff to match. We did expect a fast and fit team physical game but got more than we expected. This is a very well drilled team and we will have to do something for the Seconds at the club if we are to compete with the teams in the league.

Chinnor came out showing great determination and the want to play running rugby and to take the game to Esher. The first fifteen minutes the home side were on the back foot and Chinnor were very unlucky not to get any points in this passage of play.

Esher scored the first points and followed two minutes later with a kick downfield and a bounce of the ball that favoured the home side and they scored again. Chinnor came straight back with a try by Alex (Pickle) Stevenson. Then followed an outrageous try when the ball was knocked on, and the player that had knocked it on caught it about 5 meters on and ran in to score. Again the boys came straight back with a great try by Jack Horwood, converted by Pickles and Chinnor had closed the gap to 19 points to 12.

This game was being played at break neck speed with both teams playing outstanding rugby and couple of wrong choices let the home side in for two further tries. Chinnor came back with a try by Connor Hull once again converted by Pickles. Just on half time the boys should have got another try but instead of running around the prop, they tried to run through him with an open try line waiting. The half-finished 33 points to 17 to the home side, this was no reflection of the game.

With only two on the bench, players were coming off injured and having to return to the pitch when someone else was being sorted out.

The second half was much of the same with outstanding rugby being played by both teams and Amy having to perform miracles to keep the boys on the field. A good 5 of our 15 players on the pitch would have had to retire under normal circumstances, but they soldiered on.

It took until the 28th minute when a missed tackle on the half way line allowed a centre with fresh legs to score under the posts for Esher. In the last 15 minutes of the game Chinnor started to throw caution to the wind to try and get a try bonus point, so they had something to come away with from this game and in doing so, allowed Esher to get 2 further tries in the last 5 minutes of the game.

The final score was 52 points to 17.This is in was a true reflection of the game and I salute you boys for your commitment and determination that you showed on the pitch - I felt such emotion and huge pride - love you boys.

How can you pick a man of the match when Jon Lavin captain, for the day was outstanding as were all the forwards and with James Serranno and all the backs tackling line demons? But having to pick one, Man of the match this week goes to Jack Horwood and Josh Poole.

E.Mail from Esher in reply to my note of thanks.
You beat me to it Walter – was going to send same! Your young side of yours reminds me of the one I used to bring up to you over the last few years – many of which were playing Saturday. You have a great coach there from what I was hearing behind the posts, and it was by a country mile the most enjoyable game we’ve had this season – not because of the score line – but the end to end competition and spirit with which it was played. I think the ref helped too, but it was a great advert for our game. Thanks for the note.
All the best until next time. . Regards
David Chalcraft[