The team travelled to the immaculately kept grounds of Chobham RFC, a long established and impressive club, for their final group match of the Cup, a win here would assure them of topping the group and playing in the Cup final. Whits received the kick-off, taking possession of the ball. They made their intentions clear from the get-go after a period of Chobham pressure, with Max ripping the ball and scoring the 1st try as he powered through their defence in what has become his trademark this season.

Chobham were a well drilled and organised team, holding their shape in attack and defence. The match was more even than the score suggested and Chobham spent significant periods of the match in attack but the Whits defence held with some strong tackling and commitment at the breakdown ensuring that they never got the chance to build multiple phases of play. This never-say-die attitude was epitomised by Henry in the midfield who tackled and rucked anything that moved and Joseph on the wing who used his pace and determination to stop numerous dangerous Chobham attacks as they moved the ball out to their dangerman on the wing.

When Whits did get the ball, Chobham had no answer for the pace and power of the Whits attack with Zephan, Max, Ethan and Mustafa in particular tormenting the defence. Max added completed his hattrick with a further 2 tries, making him Whits top scorer this season. Zephan too scored a hattrick powering through the opposition defence, he is as happy running through defenders as he is running round them. Ethan too was superb both in defence and in attack, scoring two tries in the process as the opposition defence struggled to bring him to ground. Mustafa and Boris added one apiece, both were unlucky not to dd to their tally.

Conn showed true grit and work rate and is making the scrum half position his own ripping the ball from the opposition, and getting it out to his team mates quickly to keep the flow of play. Ollie put in some excellent tackles and set up several tries witjh some creative play and Bomi as usual worked hard in support right up to the very last play. A special mention goes to Noah, a friend of Conn who stepped in in the absence of some of Whits experienced players. He slotted right to the team, playing with confidence and no shortage of quality as if he had been playing for the team for years.

Despite the free-flowing rugby, it was two defensive plays that earned the respect of the Whits coaches and parents. With the game in the bag in the 2nd-half, Captain Boris could be heared screaming at his team after each try was run in "Focus! We play like its 0-0". Playing at fullback he demonstrated this attitude late in the game as the Chobham attack made a rare break down the wing, as Boris came into cover he picked up the opposition wing and carried him into touch before carefully laying him down on the ground . It was a great moment that showed his competitve spirit but also his excellent tackle technique. The 2nd moment of defensive inspiration came from Samuel, a recent convert to rugby, who receive a lecture from the ref after misjudging his tackle height. From the resulting penalty Samuel lept out of the line taking down the Chobham runner with a perfectly exectured chop tackle. This resilience and technique earned Samuel the TREDS trophy for the week but in fairness, every player in the team could have taken it home in what was a coherent display of TREDS values.

Whits kept Chobham out for 40 minutes, until the very last play when the lack of substitutes began to take its toll on some of the players who were visibly tiring after such a strong effort. It was no more than the hosts deserved and a just reward for them sticking with it until the very end.

Well done to the boys for such a strong performance and thank you to the parents for your support as ever. 10 -1 is a brilliant result for a team that put in the hard work over the season. However, we cannot rest on our laurels, we must remain focused for our next challenge - we look forward to the finals in April!

MATCH REPOTY BY ANNABELLE LEDFORD