Amersham & Chiltern rugby team show promise at pre-season friendly against London Irish amateurs

Ahead of the first national league game on the 3rd September, the Amersham & Chiltern rugby team took a large squad of around 30 new and current players down to Sunbury last Saturday 20th August, for a pre-season friendly. 

The game was played in 5 x 20 minute periods, allowing plentiful substitutions and it proved an invaluable exercise in gauging the form and potential of the players, prior to the selection of the 1st and Saxons sides. It was also encouraging to see that, despite a number of new recruits this season, over half the squad had played their junior rugby at Chiltern. 

During the game there were some very positive contributions by new centre Craig Webb and scrum half, James Atkins and the pack looked strong in all phases, even with the multiple substitutions.  The two props from last season's colts' side, Ben Symington and Harry Andrews, came on together for the 3rd period and performed well against larger and heavier opponents, even driving them back in the scrums on occasions.

Despite well taken tries during the game by Bradley Reeve, Matt Allen and Craig Webb, plus an indication that full back, Dan Kinsey has not lost his kicking abilities, the final score was a narrow 24 – 21 defeat.  

Overall the final score in the match was incidental, but there were many positives to be taken from this work-out, as well as many areas identified that will need work over the coming weeks.

Good luck to the team for the first national league game!