Chipper Chiswick chop Actonians in Local Derby

Rugby Result - Chiswick 32 Old Actonians 10

At the third attempt Chiswick succeeded in defeating their local rivals and thereby setting out on the hard road to recovery from a lean spell. Back on the firm ground at Riverside Lands the home team buckled down and gave a well-disciplined and ultimately confident performance. The start was inauspicious though, an ambitious but somewhat ponderous long-passing threequarter move being easily read by Actonians. Their winger strolled in between two home players, up in a flat line, to claim the ball, and it required a desperate chase by the Chiswick full-back to push the winger towards the corner flag, saving two points.

An angry home team charged back and Lewis Hammond was hauled down by his shirt collar inches from the line. A penalty try looked a possibility, but the referee gave a simple penalty. Mark Jones was just stopped in the ensuing attack, but the home forwards kept the pressure on, and eventually scrum-half Ian Walker dived round a pile of bodies, and under a couple of arms to score. Fly half Keith Luckman got the conversion, and minutes later added a penalty. Left wing Lee Miller was being bombarded with high clearances by the Actonians fly half, and did well to catch them all and open up the play across field towards the dangerous Adrian Lewis on the other wing.

Matt Vinden and Euan Smith were competing well in the lineouts, and with good control in the scrums, Chiswick looked comfortable. Chances were still being missed though, and it was the visitors who suddenly upped the pressure after gaining a five-metre lineout. After several phases of play close to the home line, a quick switch of direction left Miller facing three Actonians, who, failing to drop the ball, scored comfortably. No conversion and the scores were level. Not for long. A knock-on in the middle of the Actonians’ back line allowed Mark Jones to pick up the loose ball, and the tall centre was never going to be caught with the goal line beckoning. An easy conversion for Luckman on the stroke of half time.

Prop Chris Betts was making good yards for the home team, and Luckman was unlucky when a long attempted drop goal shaved the outside of the post. A high tackle on Jones gave Luckman another chance, and he slotted an excellent kick against the wind. Home confidence increased with a heel against the head and a good garryowen by Luckman. The Chiswick scrum went for a pushover try, but just lost control of the ball as they surged forward a little too quickly. The pressure was maintained however, and eventually sub prop Steffan Davies crashed through from about five metres to a surge of relief from the team and supporters, as the win was clinched. Luckman converted with another corking kick. The icing on the cake came near the end, when a crushing tackle in the middle of the park allowed Jones to be released again. With opponents snapping at his heels, he had to follow a diagonal line, and the kick was missed, but over-all this was a hugely improved performance by the home team, vociferously appreciated by the supporters.

Chiswick team :- Donaldson ( Davies ), Nichols, Betts, Smith, Chraplewczyk, Adams, Robbings, Vinden, Walker, Luckman, Miller, Maguire, Jones, Lewis, Hammond ( Zakrevsky )

January 18, 2007