Old Redcliffians 29 Chosen Hill FP 33

In a match that was played at a frantic pace and that was an advert for all that is good about level six rugby, Chosen had first use of the wind and the Scotland Lane slope but it was the home side who took the lead after just four minutes when their speedy backs combined well to send winger Craig Newcastle over in the corner for a try converted by full back Joe Hall.
Chosen, with their in-form forwards providing a solid platform, responded after fifteen minutes with a well worked try scored by young winger Ashley Lewis who finished off a flowing move by racing over near the corner. Skipper Andy King’s conversion levelled the scores and signalled the start of a remarkable twenty minute spell which belonged almost exclusively to Chosen and in which they scored three more tries to grab a vital four-try bonus point.
After twenty two minutes King got on the scoreboard again with a try of his own when he chipped over the try line and the ball bounced out of reach of the Old Reds defender allowing him to grab it, touch down and then convert. Chosen continued to pile on the pressure and next to score was number eight Ian Riddel who picked up from the back of a ruck and barged his way over with King adding the extras.
Old Reds then paid a heavy price for losing the ball at a ruck just inside their twenty two as with the ball now in their possession the Chosen forwards drove towards the line and in-form scrum half John Wand worked the ball to King who almost made it to the line before slipping a lovely reverse pass to Marc Riddel, allowing the second row to cross unopposed for the bonus point try. King converted for a 28 – 7 lead but Old Reds had the last say of the half with a penalty goal from Hall.
Chosen knew that they would be in for a tough second half as the home side looked to get back in the match and ten minutes into the half Old Reds crossed for a try converted by Hall to reduce the deficit to eleven points.
Desperate to cling on to their hard won advantage Chosen’s defence held firm as wave after wave of Old Reds attacks were repelled and then after sixty minutes the visitors added what eventually proved to be their match winning score. The Chosen forwards won a clean line out and the ball was quickly shipped across field to winger Ed Higgs who used his pace and power to squeeze over in the corner. King missed the conversion but Chosen now led by 33 – 17.
A serious leg injury to Chosen flanker Ryan Hawkins then halted play for around five minutes and when play resumed Old Reds quickly grabbed a converted try to narrow the gap to eleven points and set up a tense last five minutes. The constant pressure finally told on a Chosen defence that had given their all and the home side crossed for their third try with Hall’s conversion signalling the end of a wonderful match.
Next week, Chosen go on their travels to Devon with an away match at Paignton.