CHOSEN HILL FP 40 AVON 7

For the first time in more than eighteen months Chosen Hill were afforded the luxury of being able to field the same side for consecutive matches and whilst they actually made a tactical change at tight head prop, reversing the starting and replacement roles of Jonny Mullis and Ross Pillow, it was clear right from the start of this match that the continuity would pay dividends.

Playing down the slope, Chosen opened the scoring after just five minutes when diminutive winger Ed Higgs finished off a flowing backs move with a try in the corner. Outside half Andy King’s conversion attempt hit the upright but ten minutes later he landed the conversion of the first of Stewart Hendry’s two tries after the powerful number eight had picked up from the base of a scrum thirty five metres out and simply brushed aside tackle attempts to charge over under the posts.

With their confidence growing by the minute Chosen continued to dominate most phases but Avon were putting up spirited resistance and several times got within scoring distance only to be denied by stout defence or conceding penalties.

Chosen’s third try arrived on the half hour as full back Ashley Lewis counter attacked from deep inside his own half and after making a good thirty metres he released the ball and forwards and backs then combined well to set Dan Probin into space, the second row could hardly believe his luck as with no defenders in front of him he sprinted in from the twenty two to dot down under the posts. King converted to ease his side into a comfortable 19 point interval lead.

Ten minutes into the second half Avon finally got some points on the board as quick hands set up their winger for a try near the posts. The conversion narrowed the gap to twelve points but almost directly from the re-start Chosen bagged a four try bonus point when centre Josh Pettifer bulldozed his way over and King converted.

With ten minutes to go Stewart Hendry crossed for his second try again converted by King and then in the dying seconds full back Ashley Lewis got his reward for a great afternoons work as he joined the back line and sprinted over with King’s conversion bringing up the forty points.

Coach Chris McNeil handed the man of the match award to prop Ross Pillow and emphasised how much the improvement in training numbers, discipline and team spirit was contributing to the on-field performances of late

Having run in five tries last week and six this week, Chosen’s resurgence will be tested to the full next week when in their final league match before the New Year they welcome league leaders Barton Hill to Brookfield Road with the match kicking off at 2.30pm.