Exiles 17 - 17 Cheshunt III

Tries: Perry Roberts 2, Tom Wells 1 / Conv; Leo White 1

In a ‘pool match’ the Exiles headed down the M11 to take on a Cheshunt 3rd XV with, as their Capt said after the game, several first teamers to assist!

The Exiles started off the stronger, once more a dominant scrum providing the platform for the first try after swift hands by the backline gave the ball to debutant wing Perry Roberts for the touchdown out on the wing. No idea where he scored his next but it was the first half and Leo got the conversion so I'm guessing it was under the posts...! In between the Exiles demonstrated some immense defence as the home team battered away unsuccessfully at the line with some determined and bruising tackling of the 24 stone Cheshunt no. 8 (no exaggeration!) and his hard running colleague at 6.

Halftime came and Cheshunt came out the the stronger putting 17 unanswered points on the board. Too many penalties given away by the Exiles being their downfall. Still the Exiles had a number of breakaways but never quite put together a scoring move. About 5 mins from the end however a poor clearance kick by the home 10 was seen to be heading towards young Tom Wells playing at fullback. A wise old soul (this writer) was heard to say 'u kicked that to the wrong bloke' as he could see young Tom really had only the oppo hooker to beat with acres of space to do so. Wells unfortunately failed completely to take account of Lulu' s kicking skills and scored his try too far wide for a successful conversion in the strong crosswind to give the Exiles the win so it remained 17 all.

Perhaps a fair result to both sides.

The line out had a good day, Steve W claiming it was his throwing in but both Justin G and Capt Just had good games. The referee added nicely to the game. We noted his Cheshunt training top and discovered in the pre match chat he is their club secretary. However he turned out to be one of the better and fairer refs we've encountered this season. Capt Just had a great game demonstrating his huge upper body strength in winning many a turnover at the breakdown (or was it the ref allowing a bit more time to compete?). Young Toby Dean also had a storming game, not in his accustomed hooking role but at centre where his hard running and tackling was praised by all.

However Rob Gauldie playing at scrum half for the first time in an Exiles shirt was made man of the match for a cracking performance all round. Mention also to young Christian (Dr Gray-Stephens to be) playing for the Exiles for the first time, a thumping tackle on the huge Cheshunt 8 being his first contribution.

The games 'Comedy Moments' – Cossie’s knock on when growled at by the hooker about to tackle him. Christian asking if they'd take bank cards to pay for his after match dinner/snack! Perry taking a quick penalty rather than the awarded scrum and the Cheshunt 10 making only about 10m in the strong wind with a penalty from the 22 to put them more than a try clear!

A thoroughly enjoyable hard match, we look forward to the sociable Cheshunt lads visiting us later in the season.

Cossie.

Team

1 Cossie 2 Steve Waight 3 Mike Shaw 4 Justin Goldup 5 Dick Wallin 6 Marcin D 7 Richard Just 8 Dave Dexter 9 Rob Gauldie 10 Leo White 11 Perry Roberts 12 Tony Dore 13 Toby Dean 14 Sam Sandercock 15 Tom Wells Reps 16 Christian Gray-Stephens 17 Julian O'Connell