The Chips were down but Farnham U16s were up!

Following their excellent 1 point victory over Dorking in round 1, round 2 of the U16 Proxime Waterfall Cup comprised an away trip for the U16As to hosts Chipstead Rugby Club who themselves were fresh from their own 1 point win against Old Ruts.

The boys were really up for this game and, injuries aside, a full A squad took to the pitch. Farnham won the toss and cunningly elected to play uphill for the first half, reasoning that playing with the benefit of gravity in the second half when legs began to tire would prove an effective strategy as long as they could do better than hold on in the first.

The first 10 minutes were inconclusive. The Chipstead boys were big and strong and the Farnham team took a while to work out their weaknesses. Despite the pressure imposed, initially there were no scores but eventually a weakness in the Chips' defensive line was found and Sam Wright powered his way through it to score. Finlay Anderson's conversion attempt hit the upright and so the score remained 5-0.

Galvanised by their first points, the boys got their act together and started to play intelligent rugby. By competing hard at every breakdown they retained possession in attack and gained turnovers when in defence. Soon enough a nice kick over the heads of the defensive wall allowed a chasing Tom Lee to pick a superb line. A score followed as day follows night and Finlay Anderson kicked a superb conversion to make it 12-0. The boys felt the wind behind their backs.

Discipline was a bit of an issue for the Chips and the penalty count was beginning to get on top of them. As if to turn the screw a little more, a penalty for a high tackle in front of the posts but outside the 22 gave Finlay another opportunity to show his prowess with the tee. 15-0.

Next to the whitewash was Jake Kimberley with a typical bullocking run to score. 20-0

Then it was that man Tom Lee again who, just before half time, found himself at the back of a rolling maul and peeled off to score his second which Finlay also converted. 27-0 was a just reward for a superb half's rugby.

After a half time team talk, the boys took to the top side of the pitch, set on extending their lead. It wasn't long before new signing Gus Andersen found some space in the centres and dove over the line into the corner. 32-0

With a comfortable cushion building Sam made a few tactical substitutions to ensure the whole squad could make a contribution. Despite this disruption, the squad pulled together and continued their dominance. Next over the line was the feisty Tom Garner for another 5 pointer. 37-0.

By now the Chips were fried (apologies - couldn't resist!) and tempers became frayed. It took a clear head from Captain Chris Ratcliffe to get the team calmed down and yet another score from the effervescent Tom Lee to extend the unanswered lead still further to 42-0.

The Chipstead boys were now spent with the effort of defending uphill and a further two tries from Aston Ulisse and Chris Ratcliffe respectively took the score to 52-0. Waterfall rules require that games should terminate when a lead of 50 points is on the board but to their immense credit the Chipstead boys were determined to continue with a view to at least breaking their duck. Sadly a nasty looking injury for one of the Chipstead defenders caused the match to be terminated although not before Alfie McCormick managed a further score, albeit one which would not be recorded.

Thanks to Chipstead for being most excellent hosts and for never letting their heads drop. The scoreline was not a fair reflection of their workrate and they proved worthy opponents. Big congrats to the Farnham team - to score 10 tries is a superb accolade but to have kept a clean sheet over a full 70 minute performance is perhaps the bigger achievement.

Round three, in the new year, will be a semi-final spot against the winner of Old Wimbledon Warriors vs Warlingham - Both great sides. However, if the boys can play like they did today, a place the final must be within their grasp.

Podium points were awarded as follows:

3 - Chris Ratcliffe for his leadership, general workrate and (he tells me) that wicked step in his half-way line try scoring run
2 - Aston Ulisse for being at the bottom of every ruck fighting for turnover ball
1 - Tom Lee for a superb Hat Trick of tries, even if it did mean his dad had to follow club tradition of buying the other parents a beer at the bar afterwards. Cheers Tim!

Steve Ratcliffe