As requested Paul!!!
This team never cease to amaze me!! What a performance, building some excellent momentum to the semi-final with Cwmbran. Chepstow travelled to play a very good Lydney side in their own back yard and it’s safe to say we made them look very ordinary, playing some of the best rugby we have produced.
The boys squeezed into the changing rooms and their focus seemed to be exactly where it needed to be. Will supple was particularly fired up after a week full of abuse from the opposition in school, which spurred him on to his man of the match performance with many players also pushing hard for it.
They had their customary sugar rush before the game and they were raring to go after a good warm up.
The team are now always lined up exactly where they need to be ready for the kick off, the ref got the match underway and Chepstow started at a ferocious pace, claiming the ball and charging head on into the opposition, from the off the whole team were hungry for the ball and some very strong running from Will, Lloyd and Nathan resulted in extremely quick ruck ball for our backs to fire, Kieran straightened, fed Sam who in turn fed Josh hitting the line at real pace, one on one with the full back he drew the man and put the excellent Steven Volau in under the posts which Josh converted, (7-0). Even at this stage the opposition looked completely shell shocked, but we knew they would come back at us with everything they had.
Inaccuracy at the kick off meant we allowed them field position and possession in a dangerous position, however the defence was absolutely outstanding at the ruck area and also the line speed in the backs, hitting them down time and time again. With Briden, Taylor, Will and Lloyd making an absolute mess of their ruck ball we stopped any possession at source, which was the exact game plan the coaches had asked for. We started to be on the wrong side of some penalty decisions and soon found ourselves on our own line defending an attacking lineout. Lydney had some very big boys but our defence and body angles in the contact area meant they were going backwards every time they had the ball. Briden turned over the ball at the breakdown allowing Chepstow to superbly exit from danger. Our forwards were now very much on top and ben was pulling the strings behind due to such quick ball from Roman. Kieran hit an excellent line to keep the defence true and we used very quick hands to put Sam into space for the games 2nd try which Josh converted, (14-0). Jayden started to get his hands on the ball with some typical barraging runs, fully supported by Morgan and Sam Alway-dean who ensured that Roman had excellent ball to un-leash our backs who are really starting to gel, with the Lydney defence broken, it allowed Will Supple to charge over for the games 3rd try, unfortunately the conversion was missed, (19-0).
Chepstow had several other great scoring opportunities but inaccuracy meant there were no more scores before the half time whistle blew.
Half Time – (19-0).
Joe Clough, Travis and Luke provided some fresh legs, and demonstrated how strong our squad is now by continuing where the rest had left off. We continued to monopolise possession with the scrum proving to be an excellent source of ball, both on ours and their feed. Ieuan showed some good pace to put us on the front foot, however we spilt the ball and allowed Lydney to attack. Lydney kicked long which Josh collected in his own 22, showed some great strength to break a few tackles and with the ball in two hands he fixed defenders with a dummy and sprinted away to score an exceptional individual try, he must have been shattered as he missed the straightforward conversion, (24-0).
Chepstow were now in the mood to play running rugby, taking the kick offs and going through the phases, retaining ball at ease, Joe and Luke hit rucks, Taylor provided the dummy runs and Nathan and Will linked brilliantly with the backs to put Kieran free who in turn fed Sam who was hauled down on the 22. Lloyd and Morgan hit the ruck with conviction creating quick ball for Travis who fed Briden and with an 8 man overlap and players running from all angles he threw 2 excellent dummies to score under the posts, Josh converted (31-0). Chepstow were now out of sight, yet they were not content with the score line and were eager to score more, however some inaccuracy at the kick off, allowed Lydney to attack through their forwards to score in the corner which was excellently converted (31-7). This was a reminder that we were playing a very good team and that we needed to retain a structure. Chepstow kicked off and went back on the attack, Will Morgan who had come on in the centre and Bobby on the wing started to make ground and Morgan found himself in acres of space to score under the posts, this is a well-deserved try for someone who just gets on with the dog work every game, again converted by Josh (38-7). The coaches continued to rotate the squad getting everyone valuable game time. With the ball being so quick the Lydney defence were unable to handle our backs and Sam sprinted away for another try, which Josh Converted (45-7).
The whole team were still incredibly focussed and every one of the squad just wanted to get their hands on the ball. Our big ball carriers up front continued to knock holes in the defence with Will, Lloyd, Jayden, Luke and Taylor making the hard yards, Briden, Sam and Morgan were clearing out at the breakdown and Roman fed Nathan who crashed over from 15 yards for a well-deserved try, Josh missed the conversion (50-7).
From the kick off we charged up the field again, the ball got to Sam Jenkins to sprint from the half way line to score under the post for his……… 40th try of the season. Josh converted (57-7).
Lydney showed great team spirit to go through the phases and make their way to our try line, Chepstow continued to defend very well, however we gave away to many penalties and the pressure told, with Lydney scoring their second try of the game, with the last play of the game, the conversion was missed.
What a performance, on to next week, where we will build more momentum towards the cup match.
Final score Chepstow 57 Lydney 12.
Things that went well:
Things to work on:
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