Middlesex Rugby
EDF Junior Vase
Quarter Final London/SW(Junior Vase)
Semi Final Date & Venue
Chiswick have now been drawn against Doncaster Phoenix RUFC in the semi final on Saturday 15th March.
Chiswick through to the Semi-Final!
An injury-hit Chiswick team survived a second half battering to progress to the semi-final of the EDF Junior Vase , to be the last surviving Middlesex club in the national competitions. At half time, it seemed that Chiswick would find progress relatively straightforward, despite the loss of Sam Hood to a twisted knee, Hansie Bezuidenhout with a damaged shoulder Simon Slattery restricted with a tweaked hamstring.
Keith Luckman had kicked an early penalty and when he converted the opportunistic try scored by Nico Fryer, 10 points seemed a comfortable margin.
The second half, however, saw renewed determination by the home team, Southmead. Chiswick were put under more pressure than in any game in their so far unbeaten 50th Anniversary season. They were forced to concede a trademark Southmead converted try from a series of driving mauls and when they were forced to concede a string of penalties from the same tactic, the game, at 13 :10, seemed to be beyond winning.
The team showed real character, as, with seven minutes remaining, they won ball at the tail of a lineout, Marcus Rowley ran through tackles, offloaded to Ben Cheston, who forced a way between the opposition centres for John Gibson to cross the goal line. The conversion forced Southmead to open attacks from deep inside their half to try to get on terms. Unfortunately for the hosts, a turnover from a maul close to their line allowed the Chiswick backs to link with Ben Cheston, who needed no help this time.
The conversion made the final score 24-13 to Chiswick, who now face a semi-final away to Doncaster Phoenix on 15th March. Brave, totally committed and a final whistle that came minutes too soon, as Chiswick exited the EDF at the final hurdle, 18-13.
David Goodenough
President, Chiswick RFC.Doncaster Phoenix showed a professional edge in beating the boys in a drizzly, misty Yorkshire yesterday. Two very late tries were not enough to win the match, with Chiswick unable to unlock a Doncaster defence until the last few minutes and with the boys on the rampage, a match winning 3rd try was not to be. Playing into the wind in the first half, Doncaster exerted much pressure, but Chiswick always looked dangerous on the break. Doncaster scored tries either side of half time, which might have ‘seen off’ most teams. However, Chiswick began to break the gain-line more regularly and finished much the better side.
It’s been a fantastic journey through the cup run, and the whole squad, inspired by the passion & motivation of their coach, Andy Barrington, should be extremely proud of their achievements in reaching a National Semi-Final.
A huge “Thanks” must also go to all supporters who travelled to Doncaster, but also to those who supported in the previous rounds.
Car or Coach – that was the dilemma in going to Doncaster. True English grit was tested to the limit by our ‘poodle headed’ driver on the return leg. Choosing to totally ignore the numerous ‘M1 is Closed’ signs, we were stuck on the MI for an extra 2 hours. His trust in his Tom-Tom then led us up a dirt track to nowhere, eventually appearing on a dual-carriageway somewhere close to St Albans, but travelling in the wrong direction. A panic stricken crossing of the central reservation caused a ‘crunch’ and 10 minutes later, with a strong burning smell inside the coach, we broke-down on the M25 at 01.00 (we left Doncaster at 18.00 !!). The hard-shoulder, until 2.00am in the rain, was not the place to be!!
His credentials as a coach driver were further challenged as he directed the replacement coach to ours—’’we are on the M24 on the inside” was his instructions – Hope—Bob Hope. With Johnnie Moore, seizing the moment like knowone else can, I shall be surprised if we ever use ‘j-UNK coaches’ again.
Steve Kick Chiswick RFC Supporter.
