This week we only have the one fixture – the RFU Junior Vase London Semi Final against Cantabrigians at our place (kick off TBC). If you’re not involved in the squad, please come down to support, it’s a massive game for the club!

Huppers is away so please come back to Worz asap with availability for Wednesday and Saturday.

The club is obviously excited about the possibility of a date at Twickenham in May. However, all we should be focusing on right now is this Wednesday evening and next Saturday afternoon. Any arrogance and complacency that we may be feeling after such a fantastic weekend has to be replaced with commitment and hard work – something we still haven’t quite mastered this season. If we don’t do this we’re going to be taught a very painful lesson on Saturday. We’re getting better but we’re still not the finished article. Only hard work will get us there.

Training is at 7pm as usual on Wednesday evening.

The first team put in an ugly but effective performance this afternoon against a stubborn Kingston side. Match report to follow …

The First team moved one step closer to Twickenham last weekend with a tough win over old foes Chipstead – Match report to follow …

21st of April 2012 – details to follow …

Match report to follow …

EXILES 34 – CROYDON 18

Last Saturday the Exiles travelled away to the deepest darkest depths of Croydon. After the usual nightmare journey we all arrived in one piece despite some maverick driving from Coach Phil.

Due to the frost the ref deemed their 1sts pitch unplayable meaning the match was moved to the much smaller back-up pitches on the other side of the road.

During an ‘intense’ game of touch Zac Frei seemed to have been taken out by a sniper and hit the deck, squealing in discomfort like a little girl. He claimed he had sprained his ankle ‘very badly’ and assured us this had nothing to do with his almighty hangover. After being told to man up the ankle miraculously healed and Zac was able to continue with the warm up.

From the KO the Exiles secured the ball which was cleared and put into the Croydon 22. Some miscommunication amongst their back three allowed Cooky to capitalise and touch the ball down in the corner for the perfect Exiles start.

0-7.

From the restart it was made apparent that this was going to be an extremely physical encounter which would be won or lost in the forwards. Before long Croydon received a penalty just inside the Exiles half which the converted.

3-7.

From the restart Croydon gathered the ball and began attacking the fringes making some good ground. Ill-discipline from the Exiles allowed Croydon to put the ball into the corner and from a driving maul at the line out managed to push their way over the Exiles line.

10-7.

Unfortunately this ill-discipline continued to be the reoccurring theme within the first half allowing Croydon to gain good territory and sustain some good pressure in the Exiles 22. Fortunately the Exiles defence proved too strong for the opposition and allowed the Exiles to clear their lines. When in the Croydon half we were able to capitalise and some well worked forwards play saw (can’t remember who) to cross the line.

10-14.

Continued pressure from the restart and some gazelle like running from Tapps opened up the Croydon backline and gained some valuable territory which allowed the Exiles to eventually put the ball out in the Croydon corner. A fantastic charge down from Orrsy enabled Hupfield to touch down the spilled ball. He missed the kick from in front of the posts.

10-19.

Within the final couple of minutes Croydon conceded a penalty just inside their half which was successfully converted.

10-22….half time.

Croydon came hard out of the blocks and immediately put the Exiles under pressure. Before long the relentless running from the Croydon pack around the fringes allowed them to capitalise on the pressure and cross the Exiles line.

15-22.

After some Exiles pressure in the Croydon half from the restart the next 10 minutes consisted of sloppy ball retention and some lazy defence from the Exiles. More Croydon pressure resulted in Luis Lamas getting binned for coming in at the side leaving the Exiles with 14 men and 19 minutes remaining on the clock. The penalty was converted.

18-22.

The Exiles managed to raise their game despite being down to 14 men and some aggressive defence led by Beebs put Croydon on the back foot. Croydon began to make errors under the increased pressure and the staggered Croydon defence allowed the Exiles to break away resulting in Pumps galloping 25 metres to cross over in the corner.

18-27.

Now back to 15 men the Exiles were able to maintain the pressure despite more strong efforts from the hefty Croydon pack. Another break in loose play gave the Exiles backs space to put together some fine handling before Wilson finished off the move under the posts.

34-18. Full time.

Another 5 points keeps us at the top of the league. Despite a lot to work on at training a big hand must go to all involved for a well fought win.

See you on Wednesday

All the best

Huppers