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.