CS were at home for the last game of the first phase of the season before the break next week, with fans, squad, and officials all looking for a great display. Although they started with promise such hope fizzled out, not least due to injuries, and they also allowed a spirited Old Colfeians outfit, a second half fightback. When CS stayed with their system they looked good, but when they came out of it they looked pretty average, and that happened all too frequently.
CS kicked off the match and OC’s won the ball cleanly and then successfully drove the ensuing maul towards CS territory; aided by a penalty which OC’s kicked to touch, to put further pressure on the home team. The resulting OC scrum was won comfortably won, but possession was given away and the second scrum was awarded to CS but OC won that as well. From the next line out, following a high tackle the referee played advantage and OC took the opportunity to run the ball into CS territory. Good work by the forwards enabled CS to steal the ball and make 60 metres, but they then infringed in the process of attempting to score the try; and OC cleared their line from the ensuing penalty. Although OC had cleared their lines CS kept up the pressure and Toby Guyatt, outside centre crossed the line - Tom Hodgson could not convert 5 – 0.
The next few minutes were crucial; shortly after the restart CS conceded a penalty, making three already, which CS defended but not without Tom Hodgson, fly half being concussed. He took no further part in the game, nor will he for some while – best wishes to you Hodgy. Full back Andy Hall moved from fullback to fly half, right wing James Houstoun moved to full back and Eitan Humphries came on as right wing; and within ten minutes Humphries had crossed the line on the right wing for his first score of the season. Andy Hall converted to give CS a 12 – 0 lead. Although CS were in a good position and were exerting pressure they were starting to make elementary mistakes e.g, on 24 minutes they had an attacking penalty but did not secure an attacking line out by missing touch, and then lost an attacking line out, but on 34 minutes after concerted pressure hooker Josh Forrester burrowed over the line, Andy Hall converting for a 19 -0 lead. Following that score CS continued to mount pressure and were awarded three penalties during the closing stages of the half, the first scrum half Adam Nixon ran, and the following two were kicked to touch but they came to nothing. The half therefore ended 19 – 0, but there was a feeling amongst the crowd that although 19 – 0 was healthy that CS had underscored and that if the team did not adhere to their system that this match would not end with the score that ought to be achievable.
The second half was kicked off by OC’s and resulted in CS conceding two quick penalties, the second of which resulted in CS turning over the OC possession, followed by lock Alex Davidson crashing over the line, but Andy Hall’s conversion hit the post, but CS at least had a lead of 24 – 0, which was increased to 29 – 0 ten minutes later when Humphries finished off a move started by the forwards and then the backs moved the ball quickly to the right wing. By this stage injuries were mounting, and first OC scored on the right, and their fly half expertly converted from the touch line, followed by CS scoring under the posts by Hall which he duly converted 36 – 7. The match now entered its last quarter, during which CS received two penalties, but OC’s five, as well as CS’s hooker Josh Forrester receiving a yellow card. Whilst CS were down to 14 men they conceded two tries neither of which were converted. CS, although with a few issues to resolve at least retained their position as second in the league, but there are quite a few teams in contention at the top of the league, and CS will need to sharpen up if they are to stay in contention.
The next CS game will be away to Sevenoaks on 21st October. The second team won 85 – 7 away to London Scottish and remain top of the Zoo league.