Chobham kick off on a murky overcast afternoon, the pitch wet and heavy after the overnight rain, and they manage to regain possession, Chobham attack for the first couple of minutes and get a penalty which drifts just pass the posts, they again attack from the 22 drop out getting several more penalties and spending the next 5 minutes camped in Blues half, Blues also getting a yellow card. Blues defence holds Chobham out but can’t get hold of the ball allowing Chobham to keep up the attacking pressure on Blues for the next 10 or so minutes playing in Blues territory getting several penalties but they are unable to break down the Blues resolute defence, eventually Blues get hold of the ball and take play into Chobham’s half, a neat kick and chase forces Chobham to clear to touch still in their own 22, Chobham get a scrum at the lineout, Blues pack shove Chobham backwards forcing them to throw a loose pass over their try line, scrum half Harry Johnson reacts the quickest and gets there first to touch the loose ball down and score, Dan Thorne kicks the long conversion 7-0 19 mins, Blues after spending most of the first 20 mins defending in their own half turn their first real attack into points
Chobham restart Blues gather and their forwards take play back into Chobham’s half with some good tackle breaking runs, a loose pass bounces into touch, Chobham are forced to kick into Blues half, Blues gather and run the ball Jamie Futcher to Jacob Checksfield then Josh Bartlett who makes good ground breaking tackles he releases Harry Isaac who takes play up to Chobham’s 22 draws the defender and gets a pass to Will Osborne who evades the tackles and gets over to score under the posts a great team try, Dan Thorne converts 14-0 23 mins
Chobham restart and get hands to the ball but a knock on gives Blues a scrum, Blues pack win the scrum and Blues set off spreading the ball left through hands allowing Harry Isaac to make ground up the left touchline, Blues keep the ball live and after a couple of phases taking play right Dan Thorne passes to Tom Cole who runs a great line to cut through the Chobham defence to run in from 30m out and score Blues 3rd try, the conversion is just wide, 19-0 26 mins
Dan Thorne off Michael Klichowicz on
Chobham kick off Blues gather and kick back into Chobham’s half, Chobham run then kick deep into Blues 22, Blues gather and clear to touch just short of halfway, Blues get a scrum at Chobham’s lineout and take play into Chobham’s 22 their forwards making ground with good tackle breaking runs, after several phases Blues make the break through when Tom Cole sends a neat grubber kick through the Chobham defensive line Will Osborne gets there first and touches down for his 2nd and the bonus point try, Tom Cole kicks the conversion 26-0 33 mins
Chobham restart and get a scrum when Blues knock on, they play a long advantage but play comes back for the scrum, Chobham attack from their scrum getting up to Blues 22 before a knock on gives Blues a scrum, Blues run out of defence from their scrum but again a knock on gives Chobham a scrum still in Blues half, Chobham attack from their scrum taking play to within a couple of meters of the try line, Blues defence keeps them out and manage to steal the ball running out of defence, a knock on gives Chobham a scrum still in Blues 22, they attack from their scrum taking play across the pitch through several phases and they get a penalty, play is halted for a Chobham injury. Chobham kick to touch deep in Blues 22, their lineout isn’t straight giving Blues a defensive scrum, Blues win and kick to touch to bring half time

A first half of two halves, Blues defence holding Chobham’s attack out for the first quarter then Blues attack breaking through Chobham’s defence in the 2nd quarter giving Blues a 26-0 lead at half time

Toby Inman on Harry Isaac off at halftime

Blues kick off the 2nd half and manage to part charge down Chobham’s clearing kick Blues get the ball and run at Chobham getting a penalty and Chobham a yellow card, Blues kick to touch on Chobham’s 22 win their lineout and maul, Blues get a penalty play the advantage but a knock on brings play back for the penalty, injury time out. Blues kick to touch win their lineout, Blues forwards maul getting up to the line allowing Harry Waye-Branch to spin off and get over to score wide right, the long conversion drifts wide, 31-0 45 mins
Chobham restart Blues gather and run the ball making ground before being tackled into touch, Blues still the lineout and after a couple of phases put up a high kick, Chobham get back to halfway before being tackled, their kick is straight out so back for a Blue’s lineout, Blues win their lineout and spread the ball right through hands getting up to Chobham’s 22 before being stopped, Blues bring the ball left but concede a penalty, Chobham’s kick stays infield allowing Blues to run the ball taking play back into Chobham territory, Blues bring play back across field getting to within a couple of meters of the try line, from the ruck Harry Waye-Branch picks up the ball sells a dummy and is over to score his 2nd try, the long conversion is just wide, 36-0 50 mins
Jamal Watson on Jacob Checksfield off
Chobham kick off Blues gather and run before their clearing kick drifts straight out, Chobham win their lineout put end up going backwards into their own half, Blues manage to steal the ball and attack, Blues kick is charged down but they regather and try running the ball again but concede a penalty at the tackle, Chobham tap and go but their kicks hits a Blues player and they have possession again, Blues kick Chobham return the kick, a good run by Jamie Futcher takes play back into Chobham’s half Blues keep the ball live and take play left, Will Osborne makes good ground taking play into Chobham’s 22, Chobham steal the ball and run out of defence, some good passing rugby takes them deep into Blues 22 before they are stopped, they spread the ball right and get over to score a great breakaway try, the long conversion is good, 36-7 58 mins
Blues restart and after several minutes and a period of pressure in Chobham’s 22 their forwards go through the phases which allows George Robinson-Slater to break through and touch down, the conversion is kicked by Tom Cole, 43-7 65 mins
Neither team can add to their score in the final 15 mins and due to injury both sides end up with less than 15 players on the pitch for the final few minutes, Chobham launch a final attack but are unable to break through the Blues defence who get hold of the ball and clear to touch, lineout won Chobham try again but the final whistle brings the end to a great game of rugby

A great result for Blues who played some good rugby, good luck to Chobham for the remainder of the season

Thanks to the ref Matt Edwards who did a great job and kept control of a great game of rugby

All retired to the bar to watch England give France the Bleus, a great day of Rugby

MOM – Callum Varrall, Great Scrummaging, defensive tackling and attacking carries
A great squad performance today

Newbury Blues Squad
1-8, Callum Varrall, Harry Waye-Branch (VC), George Robinson-Slater, Ashley Doel,
Ben Hicks, Miles Albert, Will Osborne, Kyle Doel.
9-15, Harry Johnson, Dan Thorne (C), Harry Isaac, Tom Cole, Josh Bartlett,
Jacob Checksfield, Jamie Futcher.
16-18, Toby Inman, Jamal Watson, Michael Klichowicz.

Blues next Fixture is Sat 15th Feb away @ Winchester RFC

Big thanks to the faithful Blues supporters your support is invaluable

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