It was a fantastic sunny day at Chiswick RFC's ground on Saturday 15. Just right for running rugby. England had already run riot in Rome by the time we kicked off at 2.30pm, though not sufficiently so, as it proved, to defy the Ides or deny the Irish.

CS had pulled together an assorted team of 1st and 2nd team squad players, with only two subs for this Middlesex County Cup Semi Final. Not surprisingly then, it took most of the first half to get some cohesive team efforts going and matters were not helped by CS's conceding of a ten gallon hatful of penalties. Chiswick on the other hand had got it together from the off and continually pressed the CS line but, fortunately, only managed to cross once due to staunch CS defending. CS also managed a converted try in the first period which meant it was 8-7 to Chiswick at the interval : a fine performance by them belying the two league difference between the sides. Would CS get it together or would it be a cup shock?!

CS decided to keep playing the way they had : in fact it is seemingly the only way they play, but now with improved execution. With the forwards being marshalled by Joe Clarke together with the front row, and the backs by Tom McArthur and Ben Lloyd, things started to come together. Chiswick tackled gamely but the difference in strength and fitness made for a challenging last twenty minutes for the home side.

There were some fantastic breaks from Tom McArthur, Ben Lloyd, Richard McLaughlin and James Houstoun which meant that CS were always threatening and with great forward support play, they ran in six tries to just one in reply from Chiswick, who never gave up. All seven CS tries were converted by Ben Lloyd in a masterful display of kicking which included some memorable conversions from near the touch line!

Final score Chiswick 13 - 49 CS Rugby 1863.