Chiswick are County Champions
Posted on 10 May 2016
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Middlesex News
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Chiswick crowned county champions after Chiswick Derby
Post Date: 10th May 2016
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Sunday 8 May threw up a gloriously open Middlesex Cup Final at Duke’s Meadows, Chiswick’s home ground, between local rivals Chiswick and their neighbours CS Rugby 1863 – the current holders of the title. With the temperature in the upper twenties, the match was a ding-dong affair from the beginning to the end, over two hours later.
The visitors started the better of the two teams, and were soon 8-0 up, with a penalty goal and a try from their backs. Simon Hallett slotted a penalty goal before the home backs showed their paces with a neat try by James Bunbury, converted by Simon Hallett. The rest of the half played out with few scoring chances as defences got on top. The half time score was 10-8 to Chiswick.
By contrast the second half became a blur of attack and counter-attack, with tries at regular intervals. CS created the first opportunity but failed to finish off a good move. Chiswick however were more clinical and when their opportunity arose Heath McDonough got over, converted by Hallett. CS now upped their game and responded with an unconverted try in the left corner.
Chiswick eased further ahead with a Hallett penalty, but CS came straight back with a break down the right flank and a try in the corner, which was converted to level the scores. The Chiswick pack had started well, and they maintained the upper hand throughout the game, particularly at the scrum. But after Hallett missed a penalty CS took the lead with an excellent try in the left corner. Not converted.
The Chiswick pack then put their dominance to great effect with captain, Sam Leslie-Miller, getting the touchdown after they had shoved CS back at a 5 metre scrum, Hallett converted. Back came CS with a converted try in the right corner to go five points ahead. Game over? Not this one. With time running out, a careless clearance kick gave Chiswick full-back, Dan Sutherland, a little space and after making good ground he was able to feed James Bunbury who raced round the opposition to score wide out on the left. The conversion was missed and with the score 32-32 the match went into extra time.
CS got off the mark first, scoring an unconverted try in the left corner. Chiswick threw everything at CS but to no avail – were CS going to defend their crown? No. With time all but up, Dan Sutherland made space down the right, Gabs Lowe carried on and handed off a defender before setting Tom Steer free. The wing man threw a long inside pass to Adam Ross and the scrum half had enough pace to reach the posts. Hallett’s simple conversion won the game for Chiswick as the final whistle went immediately. Dramatic stuff indeed, with the final score at 39-37, the the home team winning by just two points.
The trophies were presented to the team captains 
by Middlesex Rugby president Brian East, performing one of his final duties as president before handing the reins over to Tom Brownsell next season.
The CS try scorers were Tom Mcarthur x 2, Will Sharp x 2, Joe Clark 1, Bard Meeson 1, with Tom Hodgson 1con & 1pen, James Houstoun 1con
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