MERIT TABLE
26/01/08
LONDON CORNISH 3s v CHOBHAM 3s

London Cornish 3s 13 - Chobham 3s 5

Riddett leaves the huddle to contest the flip of the coin. How often do teams actually change from the side of the pitch they've warmed up on, I ask myself? Sure enough we stay on our side, and take the option of playing into a brisk wind with the setting sun in our eyes. If the breeze holds, it'll be good decision, possibly a match winning decision, as we'll need every advantage in the second half.

It's just over 10m between the two sides, but one can feel the apprehension, as Q readies himself to kick start the match. Chobham remember the last time we played them, a bruising game which they lost in the final ten minutes, tries to Johnny F and Floodie. We remember it as an encounter from which we started a progression of wins, thanks to the team sticking to it till the last. I look over at Gobbler, my trusted loosehead prop, whose still smiling at seeing that he's up against his old adversary. It's true, the Chobham front row are old, but powerful and full of experience and beer. A row to be feared, but not by Gobbler whose grinning in anticipation of the first scrum. He'll throw the ball forward from the kickoff just to have his first crack at them. He'll get his chance. The Cornish forwards drive the ball up field and after several phases unfortunately turn it over to the opposition. Chilli, leading by example, when doesn't he, is already bloody and bruised for opening exchanges. The true effect of the wind is known as the ball sails 50 meters down field. A tough day at the office looms. It is also noted that the wintery conditions have brought with them a lack of sideline eyecandy support. Chobham are loving it. Deep in our territory, forwards driving at the line and their backs spinning the ball across the park. The referee also favouring the team with the winds at their back. That least we'll have him in the second half, I think. The the inevitable happens, and a try is scored. Riddett gathers his troops, like an old war veteran, and reminds us pointedly of the game plan and defensive patterns. Basically 'Man up and show them how we roll'. Kieron decides, he'll play the way his hero 'Dave Morris' would, so he too, 'Mans up'. Steel. I looked around and saw resolve in the boy's eyes. The backs defence was superb. Charlie and Curtains were rock solid in the centre's, Floodie and Alex pushed for any advantage they could muster on the wings, while Crawf was sublime in the custodian role at the back. However, it was Wee Johnny Felts and Q that were controlling or show. Feltham would go one once again to become the scourge of Chobham. Then it came. The opportunity arose, a big scrum from the tight five (a rarity against Chobham), the ball spills loose, Chillcot and Feltham combined to bring the sides level. The opposition were aghast and claimed indiscretions had occurred at the base of the scrum. Apparently they were right about the indiscretion, but it was actually in the planting of the ball, however the referee is the sole judge of what happens on the field. I say our boys just took the initiative. 5 all at the split.

It was show time. We had the wind, the banter and hopefully the ref (according to Meatloaf, 2 out of 3 ain't bad). The lineout would crucial in creating our opportunities in the second half. Kieron and Riddett were both giants in the first half disrupting the opposition ball, and would prove to be that again. The pace of the second half was electric. Neutrino set the tone (no pun intended) by crashing upfield several times. Chobham's front row, while the best in the set piece business, were slower around the pitch, allowing Ed, Gobbler and myself time to make some yards running off Q and Johnny. There was the occasional break. Maybe they could have been finished better, but we knew it would come. Then Wiltshire made a stunning run downfield, which resulted in an opportunity for us, but a major break for him, his collarbone. Neil Sullivan came on to fill Curtain's position in the centre's. Johnny made the best of a game of force back and sliced through the opposition to grab his brace for the day. 10 to 5. The replacements came off the bench and entered the fray knowing that their legs must carry us through. Luke McAlistair must have been giving Chobham training advice over the week, as the spurned three shots at goal in the second half to take on our line. A poor decision. The pack responded and the big hits went in, eventually turning over the ball, but a penalty. Charlie will spend the week making sure his knee is right after that Chobham forward put his head near it. Another penalty, another drive, another big hit, another turnover. 3 points more from Q at their end of the pitch. This was the win. 13 to 5. We headed for the sheds, with the sun dipping below the horizon, knowing all was right in the world, or at least our small part of it.

Quote of the week goes to Kieron (honourable mention as well for his 80 minute performance), when conversing with the Chobham player covering the sideline. Kieron pointed out that the ball probably didn't go as far down field as the touchy was making out. The Chobham player responded with a very diligent "you want to be the touchy?" to which KJ remarked "Nah, I'm actually good enough to be on the field". Man of the Match went to Jon Feltham for his two tries, with honourable mention to Charlie, Crawford and Neutrino. Charlie also picked up T wat of the Match for his new mauling technique, involving knee raises. Best of luck to Gobbler who heads off to try his luck in the Southern Hemisphere. Poor, poor ladies. Curtains, the boys wish you the best for a speedy recovery. Dave Morris, Kieron missed you. He will wait for you............... Chobham, see you next season. Always a pleasure.

LCRFC – Crawford Henderson; Alex Weir-Addie, Chris Wiltshire (Neil Sullivan), Charlie Nicoll, James Flood (Dave Parker); Quentin Peri, John Feltham; Stuart Russell (Ali Herring), Ed Shield, Mike Owers; Adam Riddett, James O'Brien (Rich Hattam); Kieron Joy, Jim Chilcott (Tim Hayton), Neutrino


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