With all the hope and expectation that accompanies the start of a new season both teams arrived at Fowlers Wells, home of Chobham celebrating their fifty years, knowing that both fixtures last year had gone with home advantage, which probably made Chobham marginal favourites.
It was a lively, pacer start to the season; and showed that the Premiership did not have sole rights to an opening day try fest, with CS Rugby securing the try bonus point within half an hour, and finishing the half with five unanswered tries and a scoreboard showing 0 – 33, and this despite conceding seven first half penalties to three.
After just two minutes Chobham’s impressive electronic scoreboard fired into life when the imposing CS backs created space and broke free, with new scrum half recruit Adam Nixon receiving the ball to finish the move and score under the posts with fly half Tom Hodgson adding the conversion. Seven minutes later full back James Houstoun received the ball on the left wing fifteen metres out, and after the referee clarified that he had not put a foot into touch awarded the try which, Hodgson again converted immaculately from wide left. On fifteen minutes CS were awarded a penalty and took a quick tap and were off at pace, Toby Guyett carried deep down Chobham’s right flank and when about to be tackled by the last Chobham defender managed cleverly to feed the ball to Houstoun who scored his second, Hodgson again converted 0 – 21. The try procession continued when on half an hour open side flanker Ross Keane got the forwards on to the score sheet, soon followed by his fellow flanker Tom proctor, both generating surprising space for their scores, the second of which was converted and the half time score was a very comfortable and convincing 0 -33.
Houstoun, with an ankle injury did not make the start of the second half being replaced by Liam Cleary, and later in the match further injuries, including the impressive Hodgson which created further disruption. Chobham started the second half with increased tempo and with much pride. The home side were pushing purposefully towards the CS twenty two when Tom Hodgson made a decisive interception and out ran the cover to increase the score to 0 – 38. On fifteen minutes CS gave away a penalty which Chobham kicked to the corner for an attacking line out. CS defended the line out well, but not without conceding another penalty; this time Chobham took the scrum and scored under the posts 7 – 38. Ten minutes later via another penalty, this time for a high tackle, Chobham again kicked to the corner and added another five to their score. With five minutes to go Toby Guyett broke clear and beat all the defenders but after crossing the line, under the posts, he generously handed the ball to winger Pumolo Banda to score, and Liam Cleary added the conversion. The match therefore finished 12 – 45.
For CS there are a few weaknesses to work on but coach Mark Jackson was pleased with the first league outing and a five point win, and was very satisfied with the first half performance, both attack and defence. Chobham will also take confidence from a battling second half which was honours even 12 – 12. Next week CS are at home to newly promoted London Cornish and the players look forward to a bumper crowd to cheer them on, against local rivals coached by ex CS player Tom Sincock.