Berry Hill 23 Chosen Hill FP 30

Recent matches between these two sides have been very close and this one was no exception with the lead changing hands four times and the scores being level twice before Chosen sealed victory with the winning and bonus point try four minutes from time.

Playing up the slight slope, Chosen started brightly and with just three minutes gone they got their first points on the board when young winger Tom Darby raced over near the corner for a try converted by full back Ashley Lewis.

Six minutes later Berry Hill’s Beard landed a penalty goal as his side began to edge the set piece forward encounters but Chosen restored their seven point lead when Lewis landed a penalty goal of his own.

Another Beard penalty on the half hour kept the Foresters in the match and when Chosen were reduced to fourteen men after prop Jonny Mullis was yellow carded after he was adjudged to have entered a maul illegally, the home side took full advantage as they drove a five metre scrum over the line for a try converted by Beard that gave them a 13 – 10 lead, but Lewis put Chosen level at the break with his second penalty goal.

As at the start of the match, Chosen opened the second half at pace and after just four minutes it was Tom Darby who again used his elusive running skills to finish off a well worked backs move with his second try of the afternoon. Lewis missed the conversion but his side were now back in front at 13 – 18.

With twenty minutes remaining Berry Hill produced another powerful five metre scrum and the resultant try, converted by Beard, gave his side a narrow two point lead.

Chosen’s third try started inside their own half when full back Lewis fielded a high ball and set off downfield at real pace. He slipped his way through three attempted tackles before sprinting to the line for a fine individual score but he was unable to convert, so his side led by just three points.

It seemed almost inevitable that the home side would score again and so it proved as Beard landed another penalty goal to tie the scores for the second time. The match was so close that with just five minutes remaining the score could have remained at a 23 all draw or either side could sneak victory and it was Chosen who managed the latter as centre Ed Higgs used his power and pace to crash over for the bonus point try. Lewis converted and the final whistle went just four minutes later.

Next week Chosen have their first home match when they entertain AVON RFC