CS Rugby eagerly awaited their first match of the season at Dukes Meadows, fresh from their opening weekend stylish and convincing win over Chobham. The weather truly produced four seasons in 80 minutes, with beautiful sunny skies one minute, frequently a brute of a wind, as well as thunder and lightning, and the match turned out to be equally variable. It concluded with a bonus point victory, and CS, with ten points from a possible ten, remain joint top of the league, although now only third on points difference. Coach Mark Jackson was pleased that CS secured a bonus point win, even though CS left quite a few points unscored in this match, to give him an unbeaten start to this his second season in charge at CS.
Both teams were well set for the kick off with everyone in their predetermined places, CS to receive London Cornish’s kick off, but the referee was struggling with his equipment, which delayed the kick off by four minutes, whilst he was helped to sort it out. It should not have impacted on either side, but the hosts clearly were, and were left sleeping as the visitors fielded an aimless CS kick ahead, and quickly worked the ball to their flying right wing Kolapo-Ajala who evaded several inadequate tackles, and was able to feed the ball to one of his covering backs who scored in the right corner within a minute of the whistle. The 0 – 5 resulting deficit was short lived as within two minutes the referee played advantage, but when the CS move was halted he warded the penalty which full back James Houstoun, taking over from Tom Hodgson, one of three players from last week who were injured and not available, slotted the penalty from 24 metres to reduce the deficit to 3 – 5.
CS now started to play with arguable more style and certainly more pattern and a very promising 25 metre break, unfortunately only resulted in a defending scrum to London Cornish. Further pressure from CS was relieved when the home team gave away a penalty and London Cornish cleared their lines. However such was the strength of the wind CS were able to keep up the pressure, and on 20 minutes, after a number of thrusts to the line were held out by the well organised Cornish defence, scrum half Adam Nixon crossed the line through several Cornish defenders. At a crucial time the wind blew the ball off the tee and Houstoun therefore missed the conversion 8 – 5. Just three minutes after the restart CS were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch for a five metre line out. The London Cornish line out struggled all day and CS successfully won their ball and when the drive crossed the line it was hooker Josh Forrester who had the ball and the try, and with Houstoun converting the lead was now 15 – 5 lead. It was almost immediately that CS lost concentration and let the basics slip, when Cornish right wing Kolapo-Ajala went on another mazy run, this time he cut infield and again evaded would be tacklers and Cornish scored in the left hand corner, the conversion was unsuccessful; 15 – 10.
From the kick off CS again put pressure on the Cornish defence but gave away penalty to enable Cornish to clear their lines, but the respite was short lived, as left wing James Dazeley made an incisive break and when faced with two on one, he fed Ryan Martin, who had replaced the unavailable Paddy O’Halloran to score in the corner, which Houstoun converted 22 – 10. From the kick off the Cornish forwards worked the ball well to take play into the CS half and when awarded a penalty, 32 metres out, took the three points on offer 22 – 13. There was sufficient time for CS to hunt the bonus point try before half time. First they were awarded a penalty which scrum half Nixon ran, but unfortunately came to nothing, but a short while later in injury time CS were awarded another penalty, and encouraged by their coach and spectators alike, this time they kicked to the corner, successfully won the line out, but an elaborate move, with the posts and try line beckoning resulted in a forward pass which ended the half, and at the same time the thunder and lightning started with great ferocity.
After the break, and with the sound of thunder ringing loud in the west London skies, it took a while for either team to develop pressure, but after 7 minutes CS were threatening the Cornish line but to no avail as it was brought to an end by a knock on. As the third quarter neared its conclusion there were a great number of pick and drives by the CS forwards, determined to secure both the match and the bonus point try, with open side flanker Ross Keane having a great game and a significant influence, but several times the crucial final push for the line evaded them with the Cornish defence still well organised and holding firm. The alternative was to move the ball wide, and when they did so a beautiful 20 metre missed pass by Liam Cleary found Houstoun who scored and converted his own try. However Houstoun was injured in the process and left the field.
Although there was another concerted surge towards the Cornish line it was again ended with a penalty on 30 minutes and instead of kicking to clear their lines, Cornish ran it, evaded the cover and scored their third try 29 – 18. CS Forward replacements Tom Williams and James Buncle then provided fresh energy, and with the Cornish forwards tiring resulted in a drive over try for Will Scott, Liam Cleary took over the kicking, but this one narrowly missed and match finished 34 – 18. It was a good victory for CS especially bearing in mind the conditions. London Cornish are well coached, especially in defence, and their first victory cannot be far away. CS can play a lot better and took a while to turn pressure into points. To concede three tries was careless, but to stop the fourth was pleasing. Next week CS are away to Brighton, and will be looking for victory to wipe out the memory of last season’s away fixture when CS had virtually a whole team unavailable, and lost 31 - 7.
The CS seconds also played London Cornish. They had a great start to the match and built a good lead, London Cornish then came into the match and aided by a CS yellow card worked themselves into the lead but CS came back for a cracking victory 41 - 36. CS were pleased that Ollie Fulljames played his first match having spent most of last season injured.