| 4 Sep 2010 | League | Thurrock RFC | Away | Win | 20 | 15 | Report | Chingford 2’s rocked up at Thurrock on Saturday for their first game of the season. The team was a little under strength, due to players missing / injured, so had to call upon the services of 2 colts & a 3rd team player who will remain anonymous.
The game started badly for Chingford as they found themselves 2 tries down within 10 mins due to some sloppy tackling and handling. Both conversions were missed by the young Thurrock No. 10 so the score remained at 10 – 0.
After this bad start Chingford managed to get some field position thanks to a few penalties and started to put the home team under pressure. Unfortunately Chingford could not make the pressure count and went in at half time still 10 – 0 down.
Chingford came out in the 2nd half and started where they had left off camped on the Thurrock line. Thurrock conceded 2 more penalties, 1 of which was converted by James Moore.
Thurrock suddenly realized they were in a game and started to mount some pressure of their own. This led to their number 8 powering over in the corner for their 3rd try of the game. The conversion was however missed so the score was now 15-3 with 25 minutes left.
Chingford applied some more pressure and with a 5 meter scrum near the Thurrock line, No. 8 ‘Magic’ Mike picked up the ball, broke a tackle or 2 and managed to get within a meter of the line. The ball was quickly recycled and popped up to Colt Sam who was playing his first game for the 2’s. Sam barged through 2 would be tacklers and dived over the line. The conversion was kicked so the score was now 15-10. Chingford were back in the hunt.
5 minutes later Chingford were awarded a scrum on the half way line. Good clean ball enabled Fly Half James Moore to make a break who off loaded to Luke Mullett, who in turn gave ball to Ike Okawuna who fired a sweet pass out to ‘Magic’ Mike who came within a whisker of scoring. The ball was fired out from the ensuing ruck and James ‘Eggy’ Egglington (making his 2nd team debut at Centre) ran over the top of the Thurrock full back and stretched out an arm to dot the ball down under the posts. The kick was converted and the score was now 17-15 to Chingford.
With 13 minutes left James Moore managed to kick a drop goal from 15 meters out to stretch the lead to 20-15.
With 10 minutes to go Thurrock stole ball and broke down the line. Full back Connor (another debutant) came steaming across his own try line and made the hit of the day, managing to push the attacker into touch.
Chingford spent the last 7 minutes camped on their own line but with some dogged defence managed to keep the much bigger and stronger Thurrock forwards at bay.
The Ref finally blew his whistle and Chingford roared with delight as they had just pulled off an unlikely but most fantastic first win of the season. Captain James Moore commented after game:
“Having been captain in seasons past I can safely say this was one of my proudest moments in a Chingford shirt. The lads showed terrific spirit to come back from 10 nil down at half time. It was particularly good to see the younger members of the team stay positive, and play with real purpose and aggression against a much older opposition. The future of Chingford Rugby is bright indeed, if we can keep bringing these youngsters on, make them welcome, and keep them enjoying their rugby.”
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