Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 30 Chinnor 22
Stortford again rise to a big match occasion and produce best performance of the season to defeat table-topping Chinnor
Order game images from ANDY TODD - PHOTOGRAPHY
Stortford came out clearly determined to put last week's disappointment at Redruth firmly behind them. As later conceded by Chinnor's coach, homework had clearly been done and Stortford's fast and aggressive defence was critical in stemming the flow of quick, front foot ball, on which their hitherto high-scoring game has been based.
The first 10 minutes set the tone, as the home side made chop tackle after chop tackle in their own 22 to prevent the powerful visitors from crossing the try line, or even really looking like doing so, despite wave after wave of attack. Building on this stifling defence, the home team worked their way steadily back up the pitch and were rewarded with the first points of the game through a penalty from Tom Banks, which wobbled its way over from almost halfway. The game continued at a high pace, with both sides totally committed and it was Stortford again that scored, this time with an excellent try after 27 minutes to Dan Elsom, beating the last 2 men to touch down close to the posts.The score was created by Jack Scantlebury, clearly reveling in his first game for the 1s for many months and building on some early great tackles with a tremendous half-break and offload to find his openside in close support. Tom Banks had no trouble with the conversion, taking his team out to a 10 point lead. Chinnor swept straight back onto the attack and a tremendous pickup off his toes by flyhalf, Bertie Hopkin set up a try for the other openside, Alex Waddingham on 30 minutes. For the next 10 minutes, play see-sawed between two closely matched and highly committed sides, but it was Stortford that ended on the front foot, with Banks leading the way in more swarming attacking play. This produced a breakdown penalty, which the scrumhalf converted to take his team into the break with an 8 point lead.
Stortford again started strongly, but conceded possession with a couple of kicks, where the chase wasn't quite good enough and the visitors were quick to exploit this with strong counterattacks. Once again, Stortford found themselves having to defend wave after wave of physical assaults on their line and, although these were again held out well, this time the visitors used the pressure to suck in the defence and quick ball to Hopkin saw the flyhalf dance over under the posts for a converted try after 9 minutes. Just a one point deficit now and this was quickly turned into a 4 point Chinnor lead when, almost straight from the restart, they launched a sweeping attack, taking advantage of the first chinks in the hitherto solid Stortford tackling for winger, Callum Wilson to touch down out wide after a clever chip and chase on 53 minutes. One or two home payers seemed to be showing signs of tiring after their all-out efforts to date, but these quickly disappeared, when Jimmy Rea 5 minutes later followed up a pinpoint grubber kick from Tom Coleman to touch down in the corner for an unconverted try. With new energy brought off the bench, the home side were again in the ascendency and it was replacement back row, Hugh Michell who made his mark after 65 minutes by touching down his side's third try, giving close support to his scrumhalf, who had seized on a turnover in the Chinnor 22 to drive hard at the line and offload out of the tackle. The conversion attempt again went wide, but no such mistake was made 5 minutes later, after Matt Tomlinson had plunged over for the bonus point try after some more tremendous 15-man attacking pressure, in which Nick Hankin, Rea and Michell were prominent. With only 10 minutes to go, this effectively sealed the victory, but there was no let-up in the tempo of the game and Chinnor took advantage of a misplaced defensive kick from Stortford to launch a scything counterattack, ending in a try near the touchline to replacement back, Tom Price.
Make no mistake, this is a very strong Chinnor side and it took a fantastic team effort from Stortford, showing colossal heart and spirit in executing a well-conceived game plan to carry the day. A memorable match for the many home supporters to enjoy and for those of you unlucky enough to have missed it, the last home game of the year is on December 10th and there are still plenty of places available for the pre-match lunch in the marquee!
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