Chiswick 21 Staines 29

Re-structuring your back division for the second match of the season is not ideal, but gifting a generous number of mistakes as well proved costly for a very disappointed Chiswick team who failed to repeat their Middlesex Cup success against the demoted Staines.

Tabard 17 Chiswick 22

Chiswick started the season’s first League match brightly, with Jon Joyce first to Simon Hallett’s kick-off. After a minute, the first penalty of the game provided Hallett with a reasonable chance of three points. The length was good, but the ball was pushed right. The early play was unambitious, with both sides tackling well and the scrums and lineouts fairly even, although Tabard looked a little more settled in their routines.

Chiswick 22 Westcliff “A” 17

A well-chosen friendly makes a lot of sense. Both teams tried hard and, despite a few puffs and pants early on, sustained attacking intents throughout the eighty minutes. One white-haired observer thought Westcliffs’ passing superior, ( their first team are, after all, in National 3 two levels up on Chiswick ) others that Chiswick’s defence near their line was outstanding. Players such as the Westcliff hooker and the exciting Chiswick full-back Joe Grindle stood out, but there were very few real weaknesses on either side.