An inability by CS players to master the basics of rugby cost them this match. Although there were several key players missing CS could and should have won this match. After just seven minutes CS had a very promising break, and played near the Chobham line but a knock on by one of the back row brought it to an end. A further seven minutes on and CS were again attacking the Chobham line but this time it ended when the CS hooker conceded a penalty enabling Chobham to clear their lines. Just two minutes later CS gave away another penalty which Chobham kicked to the corner for an attacking line out. CS defended well and stole the ball but their clearance kick lacked accuracy and enabled Chobham to keep up the pressure. On 24 minutes CS conceded another penalty, and then also gave away a needless additional ten metres. The resulting phases resulted in yet another penalty, and this one being in front of the posts enabled the Chobham fly half, despite being injured, to convert for a 3 – 0 lead. On 40 minutes CS had another assault on the Chobham line but instead of scoring they conceded a penalty as well as having second row Proctor sent for a ten minute rest. During the last moments of the first half CS should have scored their first try but the CS full back Taylor Direen had stepped into touch before giving what would have been a scoring pass, and Chobham who benefitted from the line out instead of conceding a try, received yet another penalty and kicked to touch to close out the half still 3 – 0 in the lead.
CS may have started the day, and even the New Year, in the top four of the league but their start to the second half of this encounter was truly awful. Despite Chobham having lost their starting fly half, CS all too soon allowed their open side flanker to run untouched through the centres, to score under the posts 10 – 0.
Once Proctor returned CS had another period of pressure that was again brought to a premature end by the concession of their sixth penalty, which Chobham used to clear their lines. It was now Chobham’s opportunity to mount pressures but they lost the ball to right wing Houstoun who sprinted the length of the pitch to score, Hodgson narrowly missed the conversion 10 – 5, could CS get something from this match? Any thought that they might was short lived, first Chobham converted a penalty, and then on 26 minutes, when CS were pushing for their second try Chobham intercepted a pass by scrum half Humphreys to score at the other end 20 – 5. After CS were awarded their second penalty of the match they took the opportunity to pressure the Chobham line and the ball was fed to Houstoun who had a metre or two to the line and scored with Hodgson converting. CS were unable to get another score that would have earned a bonus point, and although there were two tries apiece they lost 20 – 12. CS were therefore left to reflect on the fact that too many penalties were again given away and too many opportunities were lost when a failure to pass to a team mate in better positions cost them this match.
This Saturday CS are home to league leaders Sidcup, kick off 14.00.