CHOSEN HILL FP 22 BARTON HILL 13

Back in September Chosen had lost 27-0 to Barton Hill but this time they were always in control after they opened the scoring in only the second minute and then proceeded to produce their best performance of the season, scoring more points against their visitors then any other team this season.

Playing up the slope, Chosen got off to a dream start when Barton Hill were penalised on their twenty-two. Instead of going for the goal, outside half Andy King spotted a potential gap in the visitors defence and took a quick tap before off loading to number eight Ian Riddel who charged over near the posts with King adding the conversion.

Barton Hill got their first points with a fifth minute penalty goal but fifteen minutes later King restored his sides seven point advantage with a penalty goal of his own after a Barton Hill player was sent to the sin bin for a technical offence.

Back came the visitors with another penalty goal after thirty eight minutes, but then Chosen bagged their second try when a great break by Mike King set up his centre partner Josh Pettifer who raced up the left touchline and then chipped the defence before gathering the ball and crossing in the corner. King’s conversion attempt drifted just wide but Chosen took a 17-6 lead into half-time.

Five minutes into the second half Barton Hill’s tight head prop was sent to the bin but despite the advantage of the slope and extra man Chosen were unable to add any score before he returned.

Chosen’s third try arrived fifteen minutes into the half when the ball popped out from a ruck near the halfway line and prop Dave Revell, showing great foot-balling skills and speed of thought, dribbled it past a couple of defenders before hoofing it hard towards the visitors line. Chosen winger Ed Higgs came from nowhere to follow up and outpace the defence before diving over the line near the corner. King missed the conversion but it mattered not as his side now held a commanding 22-6 lead.

With ten minutes remaining Barton Hill launched a series of driving mauls in the Chosen twenty two and despite the fact that they were down to fourteen men after flanker Tom Gyde had been sin binned, the home defence held firm for a full five minutes. However in the end the constant pressure finally told and Barton Hill got their consolation try and conversion.

After the match Chosen coach Chris McNeil sang the praises of his players, saying that their commitment to training and their team spirit on and off the field had helped build momentum and achieve the target he had set them of winning all three of their matches in December. Although this win had been the result of a great team effort he felt that he could single out number eight Ian Riddel for a man of the match performance.

The team now take a three week break before resuming their league fixtures with a tough away match at Berry Hill