Chingford 53 – Maldon 0

The first league game of the season was always going to be a challenge for
the boys, but Ching started the brightest. Handling errors did show early
on, but after 5 minutes Ching were camped on the Maldon line. From the scrum
near the line, Max picked up and drove over. Matt Lumb curled a great
conversion in to make it 7-0. Ching began to dominate possession with
particularly good work by Jack Johnson in the line-out. Maldon also began to
commit many players to the rucks and mauls, allowing the gaps to appear. At
10 mins Ching won a lineout at half-way, Sam Robbens passed the ball to Ben
who spotted a gap and shrugged off a couple tackles and sprinted in for the
2nd try. At 14 mins Maldon were forced to kick. The ball was fielded by
Patrick who ran the ball strongly back. From the tackle he laid the ball
back to Max who galloped around the outside for his 2nd try.  From the
kick-off the ball was fielded by Jack who went on a barracking run but was
tackled near the line. He managed to get the ball back and Sam Robbens
passed the ball to Syrus who scored. At 22 minutes with Ching enjoying 95%
possession and territory, Matt got the ball from in his half and sprinted
around the outside, cutting in to dot down under the posts. Bens 4th shot at
goal paid dividends with the score now 29-0. The half was brought to an end
with Max’s hat-trick try. This followed good work from Jack, supported by
James and Patrick. HT 34-0
Ching started the 2nd half looking to finish the game off as quickly as they
could, and were unlucky not to score in the first minute. After 3 minutes of
play Syrus made a great break and was supported by new boy Emmanuel to score
his first try in Chingford colours which Ben converted. At 6 minutes Ching
had an attacking scrum on the Maldon line. This was due to another great
break by Matt, Ben and Syrus. Ching won the scrum and Sam Robbens picked up
and darted over. Unfortunately Max missed the conversion from out front ! At
9 mins Maldon cleared their lines. The ball was fielded by Syrus who ran
strongly back, passed to Jack who got it out to Ben who outstripped the
defence out wide to dot down under the posts. The game was blown to an end
after Bens final conversion attempt was successful.
A great start to the league season (this side have never lost a league game)
with good performances by Jack, Nick, Syrus and Max supported by the entire
squad (including old boy Reece, and the injured Daniel and Matt Marie). Ben
won the man-of-the match award judged by the opposition.

Scorers – Trys Max Rabey (3), Ben Maru (2), Emmanuel Falola, Matt Lumb,
Syrus Nikbakht, Sam Robbens
Conversions – Ben Maru (3), Matt Lumb (1),

Sam Fitzgerald, Adam Wakeling, Robbie Cook, Peter Young, Jordan Hillier,
Brandon Cox, Nick Arnold, Max Rabey (c), Sam Robbens, Ben Maru, James
Willis, Matt Lumb, Syrus Nikbakht, Emmanuel Falola, Patrick Love, Will
McGillivray, Jack Johnson