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