4638 Amersham Rugby Programme 24-9-22

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Chairmans Welcome

Welcome to Amersham and Chiltern’s online match programme. A particular welcome to the players, officials, and supporters of our visitors, and especially to those clubs who will be coming us for the first time.

This year, following a reorganisation of the structure by the RFU, our First XV play in the ‘Regional 2 Thames’ league. This competition contains teams from both the London and South-West Divisions, allowing us to renew some old friendships as well as to play some different teams. Level Six of the RFU pyramid will continue to provide a standard of rugby that is very testing for a club from a relatively small town like Amersham. We are proud to compete here.

Our Second XV is completely in the SouthWest Division and plays in the snappily titled Counties 2 Tribute Berks, Bucks and Oxon North league. This is a Level Eight league, where the team was last year, but the reorganisation means that it will be a much tougher proposition than it was. The Seconds now play a number of 1st XVs, some from clubs that we have previously faced at first team level. The Third XV play in the Herts and Middlesex Merit Table 3 South and provide competitive but social rugby for those who cannot commit to weekly league matches and training. One, both or neither of them may be at home today.

Like most clubs we are always looking for new players. If you would like to join in, at any level, please contact our Director of Rugby, Pete Gibson. Alternatively, go old school and ask at

the bar, or speak to anyone involved with one of the teams. You will be very welcome.

As well as our adult sides, we run extraordinarily successful Mini and Junior Sections, providing rugby for age groups from Under 6 to Under 18. The club is absolutely buzzing on a Sunday when training and matches take place. If you have a child who would like to try rugby or one who already plays, please contact Rob Elms (Minis) or Richard Clifford (Juniors) - or just bring your boy or girl along.

If you have five minutes before the game starts, please flick through the other pages of this programme and check out our fantastic sponsors. They are all great local companies; without their support it would be very difficult for us to continue. If you could use any of them, and mention where you saw their name, you would be doing the club and the game a real service.

I really hope that you have an enjoyable day with us today. If you do, and you want to come back, please pick up a fixture card from the bar. Anyone and everyone you might want to contact is listed there. If you’re really modern, the information is also on our excellent website. Thomas

Chairman

President: Peter Kenyon; Chairman: Huw Thomas; Hon Sec: Ralph Hayward; Hon Treasurer: Ross Bugden; Commercial Committee Chairman: Scott Jarrold; Director of Rugby: Pete Gibson; Minis Chairman; Rob Elms; Junior Chairman: Richard Clifford

Recycling. on the

MATCH REPORT

Amersham and Chiltern hold on for hard fought win over resilient Windsor

‘I know there’s pain, why do you lock yourself up in these chains?

No one can change your life except for you. Don’t ever let anyone step all over you, Just open your heart and your mind,

Is it really fair to feel, this way inside? ‘HOLD ON’- WILSON PHILLIPS - 1990’

Itwas a pleasure to welcome local rivals Windsor RFC to Weedon Lane in a reverse fixture and game 3 in our 2022/2023 season. Owing to funeral events for our late Queen taking place in Royal Windsor we were particularly proud to host and be part of another hard-fought match, as we both continue to progress and find our feet in the restructured Thames League - Division 2.

On another glorious day for rugby, and alongside an enthusiastic home and away support, both teams were intent on a fast tempo within both their forward packs and back lines. It was Windsor though who sought first to make a significant impact launching early attacks to the A&C line. They were soon rewarded with a penalty and took an early lead.

After further Windsor possession A&C managed to begin to stamp some authority and following some impactive rucking it was

MacKenzie South, from center making the gains and skipping through to score. Noah made no mistake in converting. A&C knew the importance of maintaining pressure and with improved fitness and again following some good attacking moves, new boy (from Wasps FC) Began Cecaric with excellent balance and poise scored well to extend our lead. Tough to maintain it wasn’t long until the Windsor forwards again stamped some authority and were eventually rewarded with a converted try just before half time.

Saturday 17th September 2022

Amersham and Chiltern 1XV 31 - Windsor 1XV 27. (H/T. 12 - 10

On balance not much between the sides and all to play for. As normal in such games the next score would be an important one with both teams trying to get and maintain some momentum. And it was Windsor who seized the opportunity making some early and significant gains. Unconverted with a tough kick it was enough to start the 2nd half in the lead. Again, though the tide turned and with vocal encouragement Jordan Scott showed some great leadership in bursting over the line following sustained possession. Again, a conversion cooly slotted by Noah to ensure the lead changed hands once again. In decisive hope once again MacKenzie South took a pass before turning the screw and making what seemed a significant difference to extend A&Cs lead with a try. Noah with a challenging kick narrowly missed the conversion. With a hard earned 9 point lead the scene was set to pull away.

All credit though to Windsor who managed to recover some of their passion and effort. Once again, with some sustained forward pressure the lead was soon reduced to 4 points through a timely unconverted try. Just

when you thought things may calm a little again it was MacKenzie South securing his hat trick of tries and again finding gaps after forward advances to regain and extend our lead to 11pts with the assistance of another Noah conversion.

Following 2 yellow cards Olli Cato left the field and Windsor seized the opportunity to make the score interesting with a last-minute penalty try. Some excellent and sustained pressure in the corner.

Wonderful game and enjoyed by both sets of players

MATCH REPORT

Highlights

MacKenzie South’s South’s hat-trick. A star is born exploiting some great opportunities at Centre

Bojan Cecaric - numerous attack ,big impact and a wonderful try on debut.

Tim Hayes - 3 matches into his 1XV career and stamping his authority at scrum half Charlie Swerling - now the quiet man and focused on propping up a solid A&C pack

Jorge Gomez - our Nicaraguan International throwing some impressive darts to secure quality line out ball

Scores

4mins Windsor penalty (3 - 0)

19th min - A&C try - McKenzie South . Conversion - Noah Jarvis (7 - 3)

28th min A&C try - Bojan Cecaric (12 - 3 )

40th min Windsor try and conversion ( 12 - 10). HALF TIME

48th min - Windsor try (12 - 15)

54th min A&C try - Jordan Scott . Conversion - Noah Jarvis (19 - 15)

57th min A&C try - McKenzie South (24 - 15)

60th min Windsor try (24 - 20)

67th min A&C try - McKenzie South . Conversion - Noah Jarvis (31 - 20)

80th min Windsor penalty try (31 - 27) . FULL TIME

Amersham and Chiltern 1XV

1. Callum Newton Jorge Gomez Charlie Swerling Ollie Cato Keran Booth Andrew Toole Josh Finch (C) Jordan Scott Tim Hayes Ollie Choules Jack Kenyon Noah Jarvis MacKenzie South Bojan Cecaric Kingsley Wilson Blake Swerling

Old Amersham Hotels are ready to welcome you to our breathtaking venues across the Chiltern Hills. Whether it is a hearty pub lunch by the fire at the Kings Arms, a cosy night in a luxurious suite at the Crown Inn or a stylish celebration under the glittering chandeliers of the Kings Chapel we’d be delighted to have you!

FROM THE TOUCHLINE

by Huw Thomas

Welcome to today’s match against Beaconsfield, which is our fourth consecutive game at home! One of the benefits of the league reorganisation is the opportunity to renew old friendships and rivalries, and that applies to today’s fixture perhaps more than any other. We have not played Beaconsfield in a First XV league match for at least a decade and it is a pleasure to see their players, officials, and supporters back at Ash Grove. Referee Zach Kinnaird has come up from Hampshire to manage the game, and he is very welcome too.

Every week so far this season has provided an exciting spectacle and last week’s encounter with Windsor was no exception. The lead changed hands a couple of times but when the music stopped it was Chiltern who had won, by 31-27. Mackenzie South scored a fine hat-trick of tries (he told us he was a centre!), with debutant Bojan Cecaric and No.8 Jordan Scott also crossing the whitewash. Noah Jarvis added three conversions to complete the scoring. Windsor were competitive throughout but, to be honest, our lads were not at their best and coach Richard Hoskins will be looking for them to improve their performance today. Beaconsfield have started the season with some disappointing results. However, two of the games that they have lost have been against Hammersmith and Fulham, and Old Priorians; those two teams are both unbeaten, have accumulated maximum points, and currently lie first and second respectively in the table. A better indicator for us is that ‘field ran London Cornish very close last week and we were perhaps fortunate to beat the same opposition in our opening game. Throw in a lot of local pride and predictions become very difficult: this will be a tough game for the home side. Last week I had to remind you all to remember rugby’s tradition of courtesy and respect towards the referee. I am grateful to those who complied, but we made a point of asking the ref about his experience afterwards and I’m afraid that he did hear a few things that he felt were unfair or unkind. I’m therefore doubling down on the request for people not to be too vocal in their criticisms: it really doesn’t help the team. Next week, the 1st XV will have the unusual experience of playing a match away from home. They are going down to Cobham for what, as far as I’m aware, will be the first match between the two clubs. I’m told that Cobham’s ground is a sight to behold so come along and support the lads if you can. In the meantime, see you on the touchline.

Huw

THE TEAMS

AMERSHAM AND CHILTERN

BEACONSFIELD Charles Joe Tom

Unit 3, Binders Industrial Estate, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP15 6LJ

With the 2022/2023 season right around the corner it’s time to remind you that it’s membership renewal time. A&C Annual Membership runs from 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023, so if you haven’t done so already please visit the club membership information page on our website to download and complete the membership form. www.chilternrugby.com/a/club-membership-33112.html