| 15 Aug 2009 | Friendly | Chelmsford RFC (Pre-season Friendly) | Home | Win | 35 | 5 | Report | |
| 22 Aug 2009 | | | Home | | | | Report | |
| 29 Aug 2009 | | BANK HOLIDAY | | | | | Report | |
| 5 Sep 2009 | League | Letchworth Garden City RFC | Away | Win | 17 | 16 | Report | Essex Senior Cup holders Chingford kicked off their league season with a tricky trip up the A1, to Letchworth Garden City, a team that Chingford have not won away to for at least a couple of seasons. With the inevitable comings and going of the off-season, Chingford were sporting 3 debutants in the starting 15, plus the return to 1st team action for Adam Raby who spent the majority of last season out injured. The game started brightly for the visitors, with 2 kickable penalties being awarded in the first 5 minutes, but Kurt Forward was unsuccessful, and the score remained 0-0. The first try of game went to Chingford, with the ball being spilt in a tackle, the ever alert Kurt Forward picked the ball up just inside opposition territory and sprinted in under the posts, and he converted his try and Chingford were 7 points ahead. The game was noticeably the first of the season, with new combinations needing time to bed in, but all 3 of the debutants impressed, with Tommy Young at hooker, Danny Bell at scrum half, and Kiwi Biddle at fullback, all contributing with important tackles, and solid defence across the park. After Letchworth had lost their flanker to the Sin-bin in the first few minutes, it was not long before the referee decided to even things up and sent Declan Bird off the field for 10 minutes, for what looked like dominating his opposite number. This meant the return to action of Adam Raby in his new front-row position. With time ticking out, Letchworth mounted the first real attacking play on the first half, and were rewarded with a penalty, and the half-time score read Letchworth Garden City 3 Chingford 7.
Now with the wind and slope against them, Chingford would have to defend bravely, and defend they did, spending the opening minutes of the second period camped in their own half, but 15 minutes into the half Letchworth eventually took the lead with a try, but were unsuccessful with the conversion attempt, so the home side held a 1 point advantage. The visitors need to get ball in hand, and with Piper and Hastings leading the way, they started to mount attacks and look more comfortable, and with the human dynamo Luke Stumpy Campbell now getting hold of the ball, Chingford looked the more dangerous of the two teams. With Steve Hollis having to leave the game with suspected broken ribs, it meant a reorganisation of the Chingford team, with impact sub Kieran Dizzy Bowling going into the back-row, and Jordan Clarke then stepping out to the wing. Moments later Letchworth scored again, after Chingford missed too many tackles gifting the home team a soft try, but once again a simple conversion was missed, and the score read Letchworth 13 Chingford 7. The minutes were passing by, every time the visitors got close to the home teams try-line, a silly penalty or mistake was made and the home team could relieve the pressure. With 5 minutes left on the clock, the combination of Campbell and Forward caused havoc in the home teams defence, with Forward showing all the tricks of a circus juggler to reclaim the ball inches away from the Letchworth try-line, before he was driven over the line to score his second try of the day. Chingford now were a point behind, still with the conversion to take, and Forward was lucky with his attempt as it only just went over the cross bar, but they all count. Now with 4 minutes remaining Chingford were now a point ahead. Directly from the restart Chingford were penalised, and Letchworth had the opportunity to once again take the lead, and after swapping kickers Letchworth were successful and now held a 2 point advantage. Was this to be story of last season with Chingford loosing games in the final minutes? With 3 minutes left on the clock, Chingford attacked intelligently, and were rewarded with another penalty, but too far out for Forward to kick. Captain of the day Matt Hastings took the penalty quickly, bought an extra 10 yards, and now it was within the range of Kurt Forward, and with the final moment of the game, he stepped up a slotted the perfect kick, for Chingford to run out winners 16 points to 17.
"The first league game of the season resulted in a narrow, but well deserved win away at Letchworth. The result was significant for two reasons, firstly winning the opening game of the season & second beating Letchworth away, we had previously not achieved either in the 3 prior seasons. The team showed great character and strength to remain in the game until the 80th minute and secure the win with the last kick of the game. We have a long way to go and we will take another step forward this week in training before we play high scoring Civil Service on Saturday at home, an epic game is assured" said a happy Head Coach Stefan Smith.
Please support your local rugby club, next game; Kick-off 3pm Lea Valley Playing Grounds, Waltham Way, Chingford.
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| 12 Sep 2009 | League | Civil Service RFC | Home | Win | 30 | 19 | Report | After last week’s exciting final minute away win at Letchworth, Chingford entertained Civil Service a team that had scored over 70 points in a win against Welwyn the previous week. Chingford failed to register a point against Civil Service in either of last season’s encounters, so revenge was a great motivator for the home team, and they came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders. Within 4 minutes Chingford had scored twice, firstly an excellently taken drop goal from 40 metres out by fly-half Kurt Forward. Then a penalty by the same player, after a good break by Luke Campbell, with Forward and his half back partner Danny Bell in support. Civil Service resorting to giving away a penalty only a few metres from their try-line, rather than the inevitable try. Civil Service then exerted some pressure of their own, and scored a converted try after Chingford gave away a string of penalties and field position. After Chingford's impressive start they were now 1 point behind, but the game then took a dramatic turn. With the home side on the attack debutante Paul Lawson made a break up the touchline, kicked ahead and then he was tackled late and high around the neck. This was the most disgusting tackle that has been seen at Waltham Way, and the ferocity knocked out Paul Lawson, causing him to go into a fit on the side lines. The game was immediately stopped, notwithstanding a small confrontation between the tackler and Paul's brother who plays in the centre for Chingford. The referee Andrea Ttofa handled the situation extremely well, and after a long break in play whilst Paul was dealt with by both teams’ medical staff, the Civil Service player was sent off. Unfortunately for Chingford Mark Lawson was sent to the bin for retaliation, and the original penalty reversed. With the home side’s concentration gone they conceded penalties, and failed to clear the ball. From close range Civil Service then scored a try, to take the visitors 6 points clear. The game was then stopped again for a further 30 minutes, whilst 3 ambulances and medical teams painstakingly removed Paul off to hospital. Chingford then flicked the switch and came back into the game, and after good work by Paul Lawson’s replacement Ryan Pask and winger Tom Child, led to Kurt Forward skipping his way past numerous defenders. Forward also converted his third try of the season, and Chingford now led by a point. With Mark Lawson then returning from the bin, Chingford pressed up the park. With Mathew Lockwood playing his first game of the season his strong runs in midfield caused havoc in the Civil Service defence, and with the impressive Bowling, and match Captain Mathew Hastings supporting well, Campbell was held up over the line for what looked a certain try. With the referee unsure she awarded a penalty try after numerous infringements by the Civil Service defence. Forward added the easy 2 points and at half-time Chingford led 18 – 12.
Within minutes of the second half starting Mark Lawson fielded a kick deep in his own half, hoisted the ball high, followed it, caught it, and put the ball down under the posts, for a most magical try. What a way to answer an opposition after they had hospitalised your brother! Forward added the conversion and Chingford now led 25 - 12. Chingford then had Bird sin-binned for an infringement at a ruck, and Civil Service managed a try to bring the difference back to 6 points. Chingford welcomed from the bench 1st XV Captain Ben Jeynes who was playing his first league game of the season replacing Burnage in the second row. Burnage and Lee had been outstanding in the lineouts, with Bird, Young and Piper dominating in the front row Chingford were tiring the opponents. The were a few scary moments for the home support , on one occasion when an interception pass was given to the Civil Service winger, but he was soon cut down by the impressive Chingford back-row. With only 5 minutes remaining the home team’s superior desire led to a score out-wide for winger Jordan Clarke. With the conversion narrowly missed the final score was Chingford 30 Civil Service 19.
“ After that horrendous tackle on poor Paul, that led to him being hospitalised, the players were never going to lose this match, we won it for Paul” said match-day Captain Mathew Hastings.
“After numerous neurological tests Paul was released from hospital on Monday, and will be off work for sometime and away from playing for much longer. We all wish him a speedy recovery. We are proud of the way the players conducted themselves during the game after such a dangerous and reckless high tackle, and the result was truly deserved. With a tough away game at league leaders Ruislip next week we have plenty to work on in all aspects of the game, but we’re pleased with Saturday’s result” said Chingford’s 1st XV Manager Phil Howell
"Game 2 provided us the opportunity to see (1) What progress we had made in 7 days and (2) How the players were reacting to our methods. They ticked off both, in style. Civil Service is a team that we have struggled against previously and for a large number of our players, never beaten. In the space of 7 days, we have mentally beaten several demons, which has seen us win our opening 2 games of the season. It was pleasing to see the development of a number of players – tactically and skilfully – the collaboration between the forwards and backs is what we have strived for in the previous 2 seasons and it came to the fore. The final score of 30 – 19 is a reflection of what the team and club can achieve. The game only gets harder for us this weekend, as we travel to unbeaten Ruislip. The challenge for us this week is to keep grounded and to take another educational step up – the game is the game", said 1st Team Coach Stefan Smith
Debut games for the 1st XV – Paul Lawson Players Player of the Day – Kieran Bowling a.k.a Dizzy
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| 19 Sep 2009 | League | Ruislip RFC | Away | Loss | 11 | 33 | Report | Chingford’s unbeaten start to their league campaign came to an end during a crazy six minute spell on the Ruislip hill. With the visitors exerting pressure right from the off, Chingford put pressure on the home sides defence, and for the first 15 minutes of the game Chingford looked be the team that would score first. With game being played firmly in the Ruislip half, the ball squeezed out of a tackle and the home team attacked from deep running the length of field to register a converted try. Directly from the restart Chingford rushed up in defence, a gap was created and Ruislip’s speedy backs exploited it, to score another converted try. This was then repeated minutes later and during this 6 minute period Chingford had gifted the home side 21 points, and even though Chingford had had much of the territory the failed score in the first half.
Playing down the slope and 21 points behind, Chingford put on early pressure and were rewarded with a try to Mathew Hastings, Luke Campbell failed to add the extras from wide out. It was all Chingford, and as happened in the first half as soon as Chingford got close Ruislip gave away a penalty, and after Campbell had converted 2 attempts, the referee finally sent a Ruislip player to the sin bin. After numerous warnings to the Ruislip players in both halves, the referee should have been stronger, but was intimidated by the vocal home support, and when he finally did show the yellow card was greeted by some interesting comments. With Chingford pushing hard they had a perfectly good try disallowed, that would have brought the game to within 3 points, and the home side were on the ropes. Another 2 breakaway tries late in the second half meant Ruislip had the 2 points, finally winning 33 points to 11.
“It was a very disappointing result, Ruislip out played us and showed greater skill at striking with every opportunity. We were not in the game physically or mentally. It is a wake up call, which thankfully has come early and the boys need to suck it up and acknowledge were we fell short as a team. The lesson is obvious – forget about past deeds and focus on what needs to be done today – we didn’t have any focus for the game, players were still living off last week. Its done now and we move on, we will get stronger from this set back.” , said Stefan Smith.
Debut 1st Team: Chris Moore and Ted Pike
Players Player of the Day: Steve Piper
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| 26 Sep 2009 | League | Harpenden RFC | Home | Win | 25 | 0 | Report | Chingford were lead out onto the pitch by Captain Ben Jeynes having to wear the 3rd team’s red shirts due to a colour clash with the opposition shirts. Chingford put all the pressure on the away team only for a poor pass or a knock on preventing them from putting points on the board. The pressure then told with the Chingford pack completely on top and excellent ball carrying from second row Mick Lee lead to a penalty inside the 22 in front of the posts. This was easily converted by the returning Kurt Forward who missed last week’s game with a calf injury.
Harpenden restarted the game with a trade mark ‘Andy Goode bomb’ which was expertly defused by a rushing Ben Jeynes, the forwards cleared over providing a perfect platform for debut start Scrum Half Chris Moore to deliver a perfectly executed box kick causing all sorts of trouble for Harpenden’s left wing. A knock on and an offside gave Chingford another penalty which they kicked for the corner. An excellent touch finder from Kurt Forward giving Chingford a 10 metre line out in Harpenden’s 22m. Yet again Chingford’s #8 Matt Hastings who has moved to the back of the scrum from hooker threw a bulls eyes line out stretching the giant second row Mick Lee. Chingford’s forwards were unstoppable at this point they set the maul with props Piper and Bird leading from the front as usual to steer the Chingford Red titanic towards the Harpenden try line. Harpenden tried their very best to bring it down but the efforts were in vain, with the elusive Luke Campbell touching down for an excellent forwards try.
10 minutes had gone and Chingford were looking very much on top and had it not been for some excellent play from the back 3 for Harpenden, and some slowing down in the ruck area, Chingford should have been a lot further in front. Harpenden restarted the game again with a similar tactic high short kick off which was dealt with very well by the red Chingford pack allowing Forward to look as though he was going to put a long kick for the corner but then delicately chipped the on rushing Harpenden defence. He regathered popping off to the hard hitting centre Lawson who was then taken down in the opposition 22 cleaned out excellently by the even harder hitting and very impressive Hollis but quick ball was yet again denied by Harpenden giving Chingford a penalty. Again Forward kicked to the corner and the ‘Dads Army’ of Piper, Bird and Young took control of the maul and lead Chingford to a second try for Luke Campbell and with another fantastic Forward try conversion it was Chingford 15 Harpenden 0.
Things were starting to break up and Harpenden began to counter with the speed that they had out wide and some good ball carrying from the forwards put Chingford on the back foot. A very harsh penalty and yellow card was given to Chingford’s speedy full back Kiwi Biddle for blocking but. Harpenden then missed the resulting penalty. It was a let off for Chingford but down to 14 men meant they would have to be careful. The away team started going for territory and giving Chingford the run around but some good defence from Chingford’s hard hitting centre’s meant there was no way through for them.
Chingford then broke away with some quick short passing hitting prop Declan Bird on a short line to carry them into the 22 the an excellent dummy running miss move found Kurt Forward who broke the tackle leaving him one on one with the Fullback and there was only going to be 1 winner….K.Forward try.
Chingford then took the foot off the peddle and an excellent 25 minutes blowing Harpenden off the park then turned into a scrappy game till HT.
Unfortunately Chingford could not find another gear and did not take their opportunities. Harpenden were playing and defending well and scrapping for everything. A moment of brilliance did happen for Chingford with a very impressive display from Matt Hastings some good running from the scrum, supported by Campbell and the hard working Burnage. The Chingford wingers, Childs and Pask, were starved of ball but were certainly putting in the effort and defence and full back Biddle redundant at the back. Infringements began to slow the game down and more importantly the referee was beginning to become too involved with his whistle on too many needless occasions. Unfortunately Chingford lost a player to the bin again, Hooker Tommy Young, for an early tackle which again seemed harsh but the referee is always right of course.
Chingford didn’t have another moment to cheer when Matt Hasting scored a try from a well worked team try.
Chingford Coach added
Players Player of the Day – Matt Hastings
“It was frustrating game to watch and it must have been agonising for the spectators. The opening 20 minutes, was excellent, the next 60 minutes we were distinctly anonymous in the game, we didn’t execute or finish any of the overlaps or line breaks made. We will focus on a few key areas this week for the Bury game. The collaboration between the forwards and backs will click very soon. We have a great team spirit this season and we will get better as the season rolls on.”
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| 3 Oct 2009 | League | Bury St. Edmunds RFC | Away | Win | 16 | 0 | Report | Chingford travelled north to Bury St Edmunds to face a side that had also lost only one game so far this season. With numerous changes to personnel Chingford showed the strength that they have within the club giving a debut to Hendrit Colitz, and fielding Luke Mullett, two players who have been recently plying their trade in 2nd XV. It was also good to see the return of Paul Lawson after a nasty incident that led to him spending 3 days in hospital the last time he played.
Bury took the early initiative, meaning that Chingford spent the first twenty minutes defending, before spurning the few chances that they had during this period with the ball being spilt with the line open. Bury started to gain field position due to the visitor’s mistakes, and after one such break, led to Chingford losing Mark Lawson to the sin–bin after a brilliant try saving tackle. Bury missed with the penalty chance. During the time Chingford were a man down, they took the lead when man of the match Luke Campbell kicked a simple penalty late in the half, and Chingford led 0 – 3 at the half-time break.
With the wind and slope against the visitors Chingford, they extended their lead with another penalty kick by Campbell. Bury tried to get into the game but outstanding performances in the second row by both Lee and Captain Jeynes, kept pounding the home side back in the tackle. Chingford were unlucky early on when Bowling was pulled back by the referee, saying he received a forward pass, which was debatable at the very least. With Biddle looking dangerous out wide on one wing, it was the other winger Tom Childs who scored Chingford’s first try after a good break by Mark Lawson, and the ball went wide for Childs to dive in. With the conversion missed Chingford scored an awesome try directly from the kick-off. With the ball moving between Young, Mullet and Burnage at least twice, with Hollis, the Lawson brothers also involved, it was left to the supporting Campbell to collect the ball only a few feet short of the line to go over. Chingford within 2 minutes had scored 10 points and now a win in this game looked a distant prospect for the home team. Credit to the home side who plugged away, but Chingford’s solid defence with both substitutes used, in Colitz and Fitzgerald both outstanding. With Bury camped deep on the Chingford line for the final minutes the team spirit showed through when the final whistle was blown the home side still remained scoreless regardless of their determined effort.
“It all starts up front and once Piper and Bird had worked their magic in the front-row Chingford pack gained the upper-hand, and the backs could exploit the space. The second try was one of the best team tries seen this season, with ball going through the majority of the player’s hands, it is a credit to the hard work put in at training, by both the coaches and the guys out there today. It is a great team spirit at present and we look forward to entertaining league leaders Westcliff at Waltham Way this Saturday (3pm Kick Off)” commented Chingford’s 1st XV Manager Phil Howell.
Players Player of the Day – Luke Campbell
1st Team Debut – Hendrik Colitz
“The team played very well. Bury pushed us around in the first 20 – 25 minutes of the game, but once we found our rhythm and started to control the tempo we were able to organize the game, especially in the 2nd half. The forwards were immense and the backs complemented that effort with outstanding defence. Now we can look forward to playing Westcliff this weekend. A very interesting game is on the table.” said Stefan Smith
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| 10 Oct 2009 | League | Westcliff RFC | Home | Win | 25 | 13 | Report | Chingford welcomed league leaders Westcliff to Waltham Way on Saturday. With Chingford once again being forced to make numerous changes to the starting XV due to injury, they lacked cohesion and this led to early chances being missed. Westcliff played a game based on kicking deep into Chingford territory and using their speedy backs to put pressure on the home side. The home side made some basic mistakes which led to Westcliff being able to capitalize on field position, but rarely looked likely to breach the strong Chingford defence. The home side eventually opened the scoring with Ben Bolton-Smith diving over from close range, the conversion was missed, and Chingford took a deserved lead. Westcliff then landed 2 penalties from three attempts to take the lead, after once again silly errors were made and stupid penalties conceded. With only minutes remaining until half-time, flying Irish winger Donnagh Fitzgerald escaped the desperate Westcliff defence to slide in out wide, and Chingford once again took the lead. The conversion was missed, with both Forward and Campbell having a poor a day with the boot, and this meant that Chingford only led by 4 points at the break.
The home sided needed to start the second period well. If they continued to pressurise and keep hold of the ball at crucial times, Chingford knew that they could cross the Westcliff line and that eventually the score would come. The first minutes of the second half saw Chingford drop the ball from the restart and after regaining possession they then failed to clear the ball which led to Westcliff’s scrum half diving in from close range after tackles were missed. He also added the extras, and Westcliff once again took the lead. Hendri Calitz then left the field to be replaced by Andrew Grounds, meaning Matt Hastings moved from hooker to the back-row. Chingford’s already dominant front row now had 3 props, with Piper and Raby out scrummaging the smaller Westcliff opponents. With Campbell leaving the park temporally, due to a blood injury, Jordan Clarke replaced him, and instantly made a break for Chingford to retake the lead. Then from a good lineout, Lawson found Clarke coming from deep, he broke through to find Ryan Past who scored Chingford’s third try of the day. Westcliff started to look tired, and Chingford had further kickable opportunities to extend the lead, but once again easy kicks were missed. The home sides final try of the day broke the enthusiastic Westcliff, when Ryan Pask was put clear, after Biddle and Hollis made good yards, Pask went in up under the posts. Kurt Forward finally added the extra 2 points with the conversion, before Campbell slotted a penalty and Chingford won the game 25 points to 13.
“We played in second gear for a good majority of the game. We did show some of our potential in the set pieces and on our defence, to keep our supporters happy and the confidence brewing within the team. Peter Christie has done a fantastic job with the forward this season and it was evident on the field he deserves a lot of recognition for what he has brought to Chingford,” said Chingford Head Coach Stefan Smith.
Chingford now are equal top after losing just 1 game, but lie third on points difference, and play local rivals Woodford away next Saturday.
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| 17 Oct 2009 | League | Woodford RFC | Away | Loss | 17 | 22 | Report | |
| 24 Oct 2009 | League | Eton Manor RFC | Home | Win | 20 | 6 | Report | After last weeks disappointing final minute loss away to Woodford, Chingford entertained local rivals Eton Manor at Waltham Way on Saturday.
Chingford started strongly and threatened to carve Manor open in the early exchanges, but were kept out by Manor’s combative defensive efforts. Some of the aggressive tackles served to unsettle the home backs, to such an extent that they began to make a multitude of basic errors. Eventually Chingford did string a move together and winger Donagh Fitzgerald used his pace to go in out wide. With Campbell missing the conversion attempt, it did not take long for the scoreboard to move again when the same player had more luck with a simple penalty and Chingford were 8 points ahead. Manor’s Greg Anderson then narrowed the gap with a penalty and at half-time the scores were Chingford 8 Eton Manor 3.
Within seconds of the restart Manor kicked another 3 points, and an upset looked possible. Especially when Anderson struck the posts with another penalty attempt that would have taken Manor 1 point ahead. Chingford then turned up the heat and the ageing opposition were starting to struggle, before the flying Irishman Fitzgerald scored his second try of the day after good work by Hollis and Lawson in the centres. Campbell added the extras and finally Chingford had some breathing space. With Knight on to replace Pask at fullback he joined the line, showed great pace to out-stretch the Manor defence to score Chingford’s final points of the day.
“To say Chingford were not satisfied with today’s work would be a colossal under-statement, today we were wasteful, but credit to Manor for their tenacity. We got away with it today, but we must be more clinical in our game, the will be subsequent weeks when we won’t get away with it, so we need to be more ruthless. We butchered clear scoring chances today, and our discipline let us down at times. With more players coming to club selection will be interesting this week, but it would be nice to have settled XV, and welcome back some of the injured players, so we can keep some form of continuity.
May I wish Mark and Paul Lawson all the best. Both are going back to NZ to see a sick relative, with Paul returning around Christmas. Unfortunately for Chingford Mark is off to Honk Kong after that and won’t be returning to the UK, but we wish him well and thank him for everything he has done on and off the pitch. He will be a hard man to replace” stated Chingford’s 1st XV Manager Phil Howell.
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| 31 Oct 2009 | League | Rochford RFC | Away | Win | 48 | 5 | Report | Chingford travelled east to Rochford on Saturday and came away with a 5 – 48 point win that took them to equal top of the London North 1. Chingford’s first try came from a great forward drive, with Luke Campbell eventually touching down after the maul was driven 25 yards. Campbell was unlucky with the conversion attempt, but added a further 3 points with a well taken penalty a few minutes later. Next to score was the returning Mathew Lockwood playing at fly-half, which Campbell converted. Chingford had scored 2 tries, but they should have been further ahead when final passes were not given when other players could have easily scored. Chingford’s third and final try of the half, came when Tom Child intercepted a pass and ran half the length of the field to score, which Campbell also converted. Directly from the restart Child then received a yellow card for a misdemeanour at a ruck and Chingford were down to 14 men.
At half time Chingford lead 22 – 0, but within minutes of the second half starting Rochford registered a try, whilst they had the 1 man advantage. Chingford’s forwards were now dominating the tiring and frustrated Rochford pack, with Piper, Grounds and later in the game Rabey destroying their opponents. Tommy Young a hooker new to the club this year, was having another fine game constantly in support in the loose, and accurate in the lineout, finding the towering Australian lock Lee, which gave Chingford good quality ball. With the visitors still down to 14, Lockwood scored his second try of day which Campbell also converted, before Welsh loose forward Chris Moore scored his first try for the club, and Campbell converted. Chingford now led 36 points to 5. Next on the score was David Knight, a player whose brother currently plays for Rochford, but he could not play this week due to injury, which made it easier for David’s family who were there to watch as they live in Rochford. Campbell once again added the extras before Lockwood finished off the scoring with his third of the day and the games final try.
“A good result today, it should have been more, we missed a few blatant try scoring opportunities, but we are happy to come away with the 2 points. This keeps us in the hunt for league, but we know every match will be a massive challenge for us this year,” said Chingford’s stand in skipper and crowd favourite Steve Piper.
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| 7 Nov 2009 | League | Brentwood RFC | Home | Win | 18 | 6 | Report | Chingford faced Brentwood for the first time in several seasons and the opening exchanges promised a high scoring encounter. Several abortive threequarter movements by Chingford were eventually rewarded when first Garston, then fly half debutee Ben Pollard and lastly NO. 8 John Burnage blasted through the defence for the opening score converted by Pollard.
The free flowing game then subsided into stalemate as the referees whistle took centre stage. Chingford continually looked for their centres to break through but a spilt pass meant a 60 yard chase back to under their own posts where Fitzgerald was penalised for disallowing quick repossession to Brentwood. This was duly converted by Brentwood. Two further Chingford penalty kicks were off target but just before half time good work by scrum half Bolton-Smith created a gap and Tom Childs sprinted in the corner for an unconverted try to leave the match unbelievably still in the balance at 12-3 to the home side.
The second half was unremarkable except for the eccentricity of the whistle. Chingford won this half by 2 penalties to one and the lone yellow card but by the end of the half the final whistle was blessed relief.
Debut Player(s) – Ben Pollard, Jade King and Chris Garstin
Player of Day – Chris Moore
“Poor game across the park. A number of individuals were not in the game and we allowed Brentwood to successfully get under our skin. We lowered our own personal and team standards. We need to play above teams like that, we have far better performances in us than what we dished up for our home supporters”, said Coach Stefan Smith
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| 14 Nov 2009 | League | Welwyn RFC | Away | Win | 14 | 0 | Report | Chingford travelled to a wet and windy Welwyn Garden City, to face the league’s basement club, with yet again a much changed starting XV.
Directly from the kick-off the visitors attacked, with Pike, who was making only his second start for the First XV, taking the ball at pace making useful yards, before finding Campbell, who fed Fitzgerald and he ran in to score under the posts. Campbell added the conversion, and before Welwyn could make a tackle or touch the ball, Chingford were 7 points ahead. The visitors continued to push hard for the next score, but either bad passes or poor hands meant the opportunity disappeared. Chingford put together one awesome passage of play that deserved a try, which started deep in their own half. The lively Pike stepping opponents, found the ever supporting Campbell, after Hollis and Child had secured possession, passed onto his back-row partner Moore. Moore maybe should have put the foot down, and scored himself, but he passed onto the normally reliable Aussie lock forward Mike Lee, and with the try-line beckoning only feet away he managed some how to drop the ball. Welwyn once again sighed a breath of relief, but Chingford did manage a further try before half-time. With the visitors camped deep in Welwyn’s territory, Campbell faked to drop a goal, passed onto Captain Piper who drove forward, before Bolton-Smith slipped the ball to Moore, and he dived over the line. Campbell added the extras and at half-time Chingford led by 14 points.
Chingford now had the slope to contend with, added to the extreme elements meaning that this fixture was becoming more difficult by the minute. Chingford for the opening 10 minutes put some good phases together, but once again the accuracy was not there to turn the pressure into points. Welwyn towards the end of the half spent time in the Chingford 22, but solid defence meant that Welwyn got nowhere near to scoring a try, and final score read Welwyn Garden City 0 Chingford 14.
“The weather was a great leveller today, with a referee that liked a scrumage or 2 and a determined opposition, it meant we could not get our game together. Thanks to Hendri Colitz and Kiwi Biddle who both played out of position today, but both played excellently. We are glad to have come away without any injuries, and the 2 points that keeps us joint top of league, with the weather and unavailibities even tough they are the bottom team in league this could have been a banana skin for us. We now have a week off before we play the final two games of this half of the season, and hopefully some of our many injured players will be available for selection to strengthen our 1st XV squad,” said a wet and cold Chingford Captain Steve Piper.
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| 21 Nov 2009 | | FREE | | | | | Report | |
| 28 Nov 2009 | League | Stevenage Town RFC | Away | Win | 30 | 8 | Report | Chingford travelled yet again up the A1M to face this time Stevenage Town, a team Chingford had only drawn with last season in the corresponding fixture. With a strong wind but fortunately no rain, Chingford took the game to the home side and were soon rewarded with firstly a penalty and then a converted try, all of which was scored by the returning Kurt Forward. It was Forward again who scored the next points with a well taken drop goal, after good work by Garstin & Hollis in the centres. With Chingford playing some excellent rugby Stevenage had no answer, and Forward kicked another penalty to extend the lead to 13-0 before Chingford scored another try. With Colitz making dents in the home defence, and Bolton-Smith asking questions at the base of rucks and mauls, Chingford's more athletic pack of forwards moved the home team's pack around the park, before Billy Raby looked to have the chance of scoring his debut try for the 1st XV. Billy being a team player did not realise that he was over the try line, and passed the ball onto the ever supporting back row forward Chris Moore who scored the second try of the day under the posts, that Forward also converted. Stevenage kicked a penalty to register their first points, before with only minutes left in the first half Forward kicked another penalty and the half-time score read Stevenage Town 3 Chingford 23.
With the wind dying down and now the slope in Chingford's advantage the visiting crowd were hoping for plenty of points, but it now seemed as if everyone was trying to score rather than use the unmarked player outside them. Chingford had plenty of chances in the opening minutes but failed to take them, either choosing to kick when that option was not viable, or trying to take the whole Stevenage pack on. Eventually Chingford did score when Forward took a lucky interception and skipped in the score his second try of the day that he also converted. This woke up the home side, and they then started to put pressure on the visitors, before Stevenage finally did score a good try out wide for the last points of the game. Final score Stevenage Town 8 Chingford 30.
"That was probably Chingford's best 40 minutes of rugby so far this season, with the ball moving around at good speed. With a home game against Staines next week, who are in third in the table, we could find ourselves top of the league at the half-way stage, which is a good reward for all the hard work put in by both the players and coaching staff. We still need to be more clinical and stop relaxing once we have built a good lead. Stevenage are a good side, who should use their back-line a lot more, but we really should have added another 20 to 30 points to our final score. It will be good to see a large crowd cheering on the boys next week, as every game against Staines is always a tough encounter," said Chingford's Director of Rugby Steve Slowick. |
| 5 Dec 2009 | League | Staines RFC | Home | Loss | 7 | 13 | Report | Chingford who were laying joint top of London North 1 at the start of the day welcomed Staines who were third in the table, and a team that had not conceded a single point during the month of November. It was a wet and blustery day, and after work was done on the pitch to get rid of the standing water, the much anticipated game went ahead. After only five minutes Chingford launched an attack, and from a bouncing ball Steve Hollis flicked the ball up to Donnagh Fitzgerald, who showed great pace, and put in the perfect pass for David Knight to step past the final defender to give Chingford the lead. Kurt Forward extended that when he added the conversion. Staines now put Chingford under serious pressure and the home team’s inability to clear their lines kept Staines deep in the Chingford 22. Eventually Chingford were penalised and Staines kicked a penalty. For the remaining 20 minutes Staines kept Chingford pinned in the 22, but fantastic defence kept the West London side out, and the score at half-time remain 7-3 to Chingford.
Chingford now needed to reverse the play and keep the visitors pinned down in the muddy area close to their line, but it was Staines who used the kicking game better and they put on the early pressure. Chingford started to get back into the game, but were always playing too far away from the Staines try-line, and kicked aimlessly losing valuable field position. Staines eventually reduced the deficit to a single point with a penalty, and the game became a tense affair for both players, coaches and supporters. Chingford did have chances later on in the game, to score that all important try, but either the ball was too slow or the wrong option was taken, and the chance evaporated.
With less than a minute on the clock, Chingford were awarded a penalty, and kicked deep into the corner, with the opportunity to score from the resulting lineout in the final play of the match. The ball was however lost and Staines attacked, and for the first time all game they broke through the strong home team’s defence, the ball kicked up field and Chingford bravely attempted to clear, only for Staines to regain the ball and score a heart breaking try, under the posts. With an easy conversion kicked Chingford once again felt the pain of not closing a game out, losing 7 – 13 in the final seconds.
“That’s the first round of matches and we lie fourth in the table, losing 3 games, 2 in the final minutes. Today’s result was very disappointing; not keeping hold of the ball in the last play has now cost us in 2 games so we must learn from this. We know what we have to do for the final half of the season and need to get a good result away to Civil Service next Saturday” said Stefan Smith Chingford’s frustrated Coach.
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| 12 Dec 2009 | League | Civil Service RFC | Away | Loss | 11 | 13 | Report | Chingford’s frustrating season continued with another last minute loss away to Civil Service. Chingford once again had to make changes from the XV that faced Staines last week, due to more injuries and non availabilities, but welcomed back Ollie Hoad after his spell at National 3 side Barnes.
Chingford started the brighter of the two teams and for the first 15 minutes put on the early pressure, but could not convert it into points. Chingford then lost influential second row Mick Lee with a broken rib, adding yet another player to Chingford’s lengthy injury list. Jordan Clarke was then moved into the back row, with the ever-green Jan Bonney coming off the bench to full back. The game was then played in mid-field until the hosts exerted some pressure of their own, but Chingford’s solid defence stood firm. Chingford then lost Clarke to the bin for 10 minutes and just prior to half time Civil Service created a sharp move in attack and registered the first points of the day, with a converted try, and the score read 7 –0 at the break.
At the start of the second period Clarke returned to the field, and Chingford were back to full strength, and working hard right across the park. As in the early period of the first half the visitors were putting on the pressure but not getting the points. The line-outs were not working too well after the loss of Lee, and Chingford failed when in the red zone to get that all important score. With Bowling and Jeynes leading the Chingford charge, the rest of the forwards, linked well and played exceptionally well against a much heavier Civil Service pack. With Garstin and Hollis a brick wall in defence, and abrasive in attack, the home side were tiring; the visitors started to have the major amount of possession and territory, and were eventually rewarded with a try. With hooker Grounds lively at all times, Bolton- Smith fired the ball out wide for Hollis to make yards and flick the ball inside to Knight, who touched down. Forward was unlucky with the conversion attempt, but did add 3 points minutes later to take Chingford into a well deserved 7-8 lead. Both sides then exchanged penalties and Chingford led by 10 –11, until the final 90 seconds. Chingford then failed to clear their lines after a speculative kick up field but the hosts, and were penned in their 22 for the final couple of minutes. On a couple of occasions Chingford had the opportunity to clear but desperate defence by the home side, meant the ball stayed close to the Chingford line. With 90 seconds left on the clock Civil were awarded a penalty after a needless infringement, the hosts managed with an ugly strike of the ball from a difficult angle, to covert it and snatch the lead from Chingford, winning 13 points to 11. Civil had snatched victory from defeat, and graciously acknowledged that later in the day.
“Absolutely gutted!” Déjà vu again! They say lighting doesn’t strike twice, well this is the third time this season the bolt has hit us. I felt we truly deserved the win today, but we have managed to beat ourselves again, with poor discipline in the final moments. All the boys played so well today, and with the disruptions we have had this week, and then losing Lee so early in the game, they all stuck to their task, and stood up to the plate. The season is certainly not over we are only 4 points away from the top with everyone still to play each other, so we need to get back to winning ways this week at home to Ruislip” said Chingford Forward’s Coach Peter Christie.
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| 19 Dec 2009 | League | Ruislip RFC | Home | | | | Report | Match Postponed Frozen Pitch |
| 2 Jan 2010 | League | Ruislip RFC | Home | Loss | 15 | 54 | Report | Chingford 15 Ruislip 54
Chingford crashed to their largest league defeat in many years when they lost at home to Ruislip. The game was rearranged after the freezing conditions prior to Christmas, and the home side fielded yet again a much changed 15 from the team that had lost narrowly to Civil Service. Both teams took time to settle, but it was the visitors who showed more hunger, and they were rewarded with an early penalty and then a long range try. Directly from the restart, Chris Moore Chingford’s open side wing forward, regained the ball, and ran directly in towards the posts only to be held up short, but he popped the ball up to Ben Bolton-Smith score under the posts. Forward added the extra 2 points and the home side were only 1 point behind 7 – 8. From the subsequent restart Forward claimed the ball, and sprinted up the park to be stopped illegally inches from the line. The referee gave the Ruislip player a yellow card instantly but did not award the penalty try, a score that surely would have changed maybe not the final outcome, but would have given the home side the impetus to press on. Chingford squandered the penalty close to line, and Ruislip cleared the danger, and then scored a try of their own, the score read at the break Chingford 7 Ruislip 13.
The second half was blur, with the home side missing tackles, allowing Ruislip the opportunity to make easy yards, and thus score a multitude of tries and penalties. Chingford did look as if they could get back into the game with an early penalty by substitute James Moore, who came on for his first taste of 1st XV action this season only 10 minutes into the game, when Chris Girstan left the field with a hand injury.
Later on in the game prop forward Steve Piper supported well to score an unconverted try after a break by Child and Pike, showed what Chingford could do when passes went to hand and kicks were not aimless.
“Thanks to those players who came in at short notice, especially Joby Simson Chingford’s 3rd XV Captain who took his place on the bench, and later on the field”, said home teams Captain Ben Jeynes
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| 9 Jan 2010 | League | Harpenden RFC | Away | | | | Report | Postponed |
| 16 Jan 2010 | League | Bury St. Edmunds RFC | Home | | | | Report | Postponed |
| 23 Jan 2010 | League | Westcliff RFC | Away | Loss | 3 | 36 | Report | |
| 30 Jan 2010 | League | Woodford RFC | Home | Win | 10 | 9 | Report | After two horrendous defeats Chingford hosted local rivals Woodford at Waltham Way last Saturday. With Chingford now sitting fifth in the table and Woodford 3 points behind in sixth, it was a chance for the visitors to gain ground on Chingford in the league table. Chingford gave debuts to Robert Gash at scrum half and Conor Canny at blindside, with Ikena Okawuna playing his first game of season at hooker, all 3 had impressive games.
Woodford started the brighter of the two teams, having a great try scoring opportunity, but the home sides spirited defence held firm and the chance was gone. The referee who was playing advantage gave a simple penalty and Woodford led 3-0. Chingford who started with only 14 men due to a late arrival, finally went to the full compliment when Chris Garstin took the field. The home side now started to exert some pressure, and broke on numerous occasions into Woodford’s 22, but then got isolated and failed to capitalise giving away needless penalties. Chingford then had a moment of brilliance when Luke Campbell stepped his way past most of the Woodford team, starting his run deep in his own half, and finishing scoring a try directly under the posts. Gash added the extras and the score read 7 –3, and that’s how it remained at half-time.
The second half was a muddier affair of the first, with Chingford looking dangerous in the backs, and Woodford dominating in the scrum. It was from a rare venture into Chingford’s 22 that Lloyd added another penalty to cut the deficit to 1 point, choosing to kick rather than go for the try. With Woodford’s hooker having a bad day at the lineout, and Chingford’s solid defence that was probably the best option, and it kept the visitors in the game. Chingford put together some good phases of play with Canny and Hoad linking well in the back row, and Gash and Bolton-Smith looking comfortable inter-changing in the half-back positions. After a break by full-back Pask, Woodford were penalised, but Chingford choose to play on, Bolton-Smith fired the ball out to Gash, and he added to his earlier 2 points, with a well taken drop-goal. Time was ticking away but Woodford once again got awarded a penalty, that they choose to kick, and the score read 10 – 9, with 5 minutes left on the clock. The recent experience of loosing tight games in the final seconds by Chingford has obviously taught them something, as they played out the final minutes deep in Woodford territory, not allowing the visitors a chance of victory.
“It was a game we could not afford to lose, it wasn’t that pretty, but I feel we played the positive rugby and were the only team out there who looked as if they wanted to score tries. Even though it was a single point victory it is nice to win again after our recent run of defeats”, said Chingford’s Captain Ben Jeynes.
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| 6 Feb 2010 | | FREE | | | | | Report | |
