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Sat 10 Mar 2012 · Surrey 2
Chipstead
1st XV
6
29
Farnham 29 Chipstead 6
Toby Comley12 Mar 2012 - 09:03
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10th March 2012 Farnham getting closer to promotion
Farnham travelled to the top of the table promotion battle with Chipstead Saturday, needing a win to keep up promotion expectations. Chipstead had last week beaten top of the table Old Cranleighans in a surprising win, all be it a weakened Old Cs with key players out for the season with long term injuries. Farnham meet Cranleighans on the last day of the season at home for what is expected to be a title winning match.
It was a balmy spring day at Chipstead with stunning views across the valley, and firm conditions underfoot. Farnham,s travelling supporters were there in force, numbers growing every week and expecting more great entertainment from a team that were performing better and better as the season advanced. Coach Barry Warner expressed his view’ as always confident’ prior to the game, while david Gill, Farnhams Commercial Manager commented of being tired of every game being so crucial. Excitement was high as the teams entered the arena, with Chipsteads old boy support being quite vocal after a long lunch in the clubhouse.
The Lady ref started the game, and all looked evenly matched for the first 12 minutes, Chipstead appeared to be strong up front giving the Farnham front row a hard time, and repeatedly pushing Farnham backwards at an alarming pace. Then a poor kick was caught at the back by captain Toby Comley who floated a pass to Gabe Hills ,and 60 metres later to nods of knowing from the Farnham support and gasps of surprise from home support , Gabe had outpaced half the opposition team to score a magnificent try in the far corner. Chris Penn missed a very hard kick uphill from wide.
The game ebbed and flowed with a couple of dropped balls from Chipsteadsrightt wing, and some great play by Alex Carlsson Farnhams firey scrum half, who twice stripped the ball from the opposition.IIt was the 33rd minute when a clearance kick from their 22 was caught 40 yards out by Gabe Hills, who showed superb pace and balance by running through half of the Chipstead team to score his second try, which Chris Penn easily converted. Chipstead kicked a good penalty befoer a superb long distance drop goal saw Farnham go into the break 12 points to 6.
The second half started briskly with Fran Meagher feeding rampant no 8 Pete Daly the ball to run 50 meters to score an excellent try wide out on the left. Chris Penn narrowly missed the conversion and shortly after had a near miss from a penalty as Chipstead again were very slow in retreating.
The referee now seemed to have made a few errors, even the partisan support were shaking heads as a scissor move was blown up for crossing. This was followed by missing a blatant knock on, and some surprising decisions on rucks were made from a distance that defied Specsavers to make binoculars. The game was settled with Gabe Hills scoring his third try from a flowing three quarter move from our own half, leaving him to only beat 3 players, Chris Penn happily converted leaving Farnham 24-6 in the lead.
Further confusing refereeing decisions lead to Farnham’s Captain Toby Comley being yellow carded for what was initially described as ‘ not being calm’ when questioning the laws of the game and the poor refs understanding of them or lack of. Two minutes later a Chipstead player was mysteriously yellow carded for what seemed to be a push on a Farnham player, well it balanced it out.
Half an hour into the second half Gabe Hills added to his try count beating 3 players to score his fourth try, which was narrowly missed as the ball hit the post from the conversion. The Farnham forwards who had a great game in the second half won lots of lineout ball and began winning more and more of the ruck ball, after one such battle Pete Daly ran 40 meters only to be pulled back from the try line for a penalty to us, a surprising use of the advantage law. Chipstead had another yellow card issued but the final score of 29-6 was a fair reflection of the game.
The ever improving forwards set up the three quarters for some inspiring running rugby with some breathtaking passing and off loading. Chipstead had no answer to wide speed and determined running, with tactical kicking supplied by Chris Penn, and some great lineout jumping from Harrison and Peacock. Speedy passing from Alex Carlsson at the base of the scrum or rampaging pick ups from Pete Daly kept the Chipstead back row brothers confused, but how often do you play with your father who was at prop for the game.
Roll on Old Becs next week was the toast of the Farnham supporters as they returned to Farnham.
It was a balmy spring day at Chipstead with stunning views across the valley, and firm conditions underfoot. Farnham,s travelling supporters were there in force, numbers growing every week and expecting more great entertainment from a team that were performing better and better as the season advanced. Coach Barry Warner expressed his view’ as always confident’ prior to the game, while david Gill, Farnhams Commercial Manager commented of being tired of every game being so crucial. Excitement was high as the teams entered the arena, with Chipsteads old boy support being quite vocal after a long lunch in the clubhouse.
The Lady ref started the game, and all looked evenly matched for the first 12 minutes, Chipstead appeared to be strong up front giving the Farnham front row a hard time, and repeatedly pushing Farnham backwards at an alarming pace. Then a poor kick was caught at the back by captain Toby Comley who floated a pass to Gabe Hills ,and 60 metres later to nods of knowing from the Farnham support and gasps of surprise from home support , Gabe had outpaced half the opposition team to score a magnificent try in the far corner. Chris Penn missed a very hard kick uphill from wide.
The game ebbed and flowed with a couple of dropped balls from Chipsteadsrightt wing, and some great play by Alex Carlsson Farnhams firey scrum half, who twice stripped the ball from the opposition.IIt was the 33rd minute when a clearance kick from their 22 was caught 40 yards out by Gabe Hills, who showed superb pace and balance by running through half of the Chipstead team to score his second try, which Chris Penn easily converted. Chipstead kicked a good penalty befoer a superb long distance drop goal saw Farnham go into the break 12 points to 6.
The second half started briskly with Fran Meagher feeding rampant no 8 Pete Daly the ball to run 50 meters to score an excellent try wide out on the left. Chris Penn narrowly missed the conversion and shortly after had a near miss from a penalty as Chipstead again were very slow in retreating.
The referee now seemed to have made a few errors, even the partisan support were shaking heads as a scissor move was blown up for crossing. This was followed by missing a blatant knock on, and some surprising decisions on rucks were made from a distance that defied Specsavers to make binoculars. The game was settled with Gabe Hills scoring his third try from a flowing three quarter move from our own half, leaving him to only beat 3 players, Chris Penn happily converted leaving Farnham 24-6 in the lead.
Further confusing refereeing decisions lead to Farnham’s Captain Toby Comley being yellow carded for what was initially described as ‘ not being calm’ when questioning the laws of the game and the poor refs understanding of them or lack of. Two minutes later a Chipstead player was mysteriously yellow carded for what seemed to be a push on a Farnham player, well it balanced it out.
Half an hour into the second half Gabe Hills added to his try count beating 3 players to score his fourth try, which was narrowly missed as the ball hit the post from the conversion. The Farnham forwards who had a great game in the second half won lots of lineout ball and began winning more and more of the ruck ball, after one such battle Pete Daly ran 40 meters only to be pulled back from the try line for a penalty to us, a surprising use of the advantage law. Chipstead had another yellow card issued but the final score of 29-6 was a fair reflection of the game.
The ever improving forwards set up the three quarters for some inspiring running rugby with some breathtaking passing and off loading. Chipstead had no answer to wide speed and determined running, with tactical kicking supplied by Chris Penn, and some great lineout jumping from Harrison and Peacock. Speedy passing from Alex Carlsson at the base of the scrum or rampaging pick ups from Pete Daly kept the Chipstead back row brothers confused, but how often do you play with your father who was at prop for the game.
Roll on Old Becs next week was the toast of the Farnham supporters as they returned to Farnham.
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