Chipstead 31, Kingston 19 (L)

written by Sam Johnson

7 September 2024

On a muggy Saturday afternoon, Kingston 1XV made their way to Chipstead for the first league fixture of the 2024/25 campaign.

Kingston kicked off, but it was Chipstead who immediately launched into the attack, spinning the ball up the slope to create the overlap. Once they had broken the line, the Chipstead winger chipped through and collected to dot down within 5 minutes.

Chipstead repeated the move from the kick off, slinging the ball up the slope, rounding the last defender and chipping the ball through. Ten minutes into the match and Kingston were down 14-0.

After this slow start, Kingston sprung into life, exerting massive pressure in the Chipstead 22 for the remainder of the first half. Bruising runs from Theo Wedge, Elton Gwekwete and Tom Rushmer put dents in the Chipstead defence, and made room for the backs to attack, with powerful surges from Zach Drennan and pinpoint cross-field kicks from Connor Ashwin. If it wasn’t for some sloppy hands, Kingston would have capitalised sooner.

The Kingston pressure eventually told with Luke Burge going over following a powerful rolling maul and a few strong pick and goes. Connor Ashwin slotting the conversion.

Chipstead sought to have the final say in first half following a great break from their hooker, before pushing the ball up the hill once more. However, solid Kingston defence forced the knock on, putting a stop to the attack.

Half Time - Chipstead 14-7 Kingston

Chipstead got the second half underway with a hanging kick down the slope. Regaining possession, they camped out on the Kingston line for the next 20 minutes before eventually going over from a rolling maul.

Phil Dabinski put in an excellent chase from the restart, leading to a Kingston lineout just outside of the Chipstead 22. Kingston exerted significant pressure on the line but excellent Chipstead defence meant that they couldn’t get over and Chipstead forced the turn over. From the penalty they marched down the slope and eventually scored another try from the rolling maul.

Following another hanging kick off, the Kingston forwards got hold of the ball once more and worked their way up hill towards the try line. Following some questionable handling, Luke Burge eventually got over for his second from close range with some great leg drive.

Chipstead once again powered down the pitch and scored a fifth try from another chip over the top. The quality of the Chipstead kicking game was a serious threat all game and was ultimately the difference between the two sides on the day.

Showing real resilience, Kingston had the final say following a break down the left flank from Tom Collis, who drew the last man before offloading to put Charlie Kelly under the sticks. Connor Ashwin adding the conversion to finish the game 31-19.

Congratulations to Max McCulloch on making his debut for the club, although his game was short lived after taking a knee to the head.

Kingston go again when they host Old Whitgiftians on 14 September 2024, KO 3pm. The club will be hosting a family day, with activities for minis and juniors alongside the game, come on down and let’s pack the sideline for the first home league game of the season.

Tries: Luke Burge x2, Charlie Kelly

Conversions: Connor Ashwin x2