County Championship Shield Final at Twickenham
Sunday 27th May 2012
Leicestershire 12pts v Surrey 43 pts
After a tense evenly matched first half, with Leicestershire looking threatening at times, Surrey yet again produced a phenomenal second half performance to score 29 unanswered points and destroy their game opponents.
After Steve Munford had missed an early penalty chance for Surrey, Leicestershire then took the lead when Winger James Padley scored a try in the corner. Back came Surrey, but Munford was off target with two more penalty chances, as both sides struggled to gain any ascendancy, or to maintain possession.
Shortly afterwards Surrey’s pack secured good scrummage ball and Munford made a penetrating break, which was well supported by lock Matt Higgins who was pulled up just short. Nevertheless, his fellow lock and Captain Armand Roux was on hand to pick up and crash over for Surrey’s first try.
With the score tied at five points each, Leicestershire worked their way back up the park and the Midlanders drove lock Stuart Bale over for a try. Malcolm Lord added the conversion to put his side 12-5 ahead. Wing Kris McFedries then raced away to touch down again for Leicestershire, but was called back for a forward pass. With the interval approaching, good work by the Surrey backs saw centre Alrich Muller step inside his man and race away for a great try in the corner. Munford at last found his kicking boots, with a fine touchline conversion and to bring a 12-12 half time score.
Having missed another early penalty chance in the second period, Munford made amends when he kicked a penalty goal to ease Surrey ahead. As the game progressed, both sides made full use of the rolling substitutions rule. Surrey though began to take complete control and lively hooker, Nathan Kemp took a long pass and scored his side’s third try. Then almost immediately, Surrey fly half Richard Lang spun out of a despairing tackle to score another try. Steve Munford stroked over a superb touchline conversion to add the extra points.
Surrey were now dominant and great play by young full back Ryan Jeffery, produced him with a stunning individual try. Finally, replacement Ben Knight raced away to add Surrey’s final try. While both efforts were converted by Jeffery, as Surrey cruised to their fist title since the reorganisation of the Competition four years ago. Celebrations for the Surrey boys and the excellent coaching team led by Ritchie Andrews, went on into the wee hours. Congratulations lads…….
SURREY:
1. Tom Bristow –Dorking
2. Nathan Kemp –Wimbledon
3.Charlie Connor – London Irish Amateurs
4. Matt Higgins – Dorking
5. Armand Roux – Dorking – Captain
6. Chris Lewis – Wimbledon
7. Jon Vermont – Dorking
8. Ben Lucas – Dorking
9. Steve Munford – Dorking
10. Richard Lang – Dorking
11.Stuart Phillips – Guildford
12. James Faulkner – Dorking
13. Alrich Muller – Dorking
14. Mike Terelak – Dorking
15. Ryan Jeffery- Dorking
Substitutes:
16. James Catton –Dorking
17. Ben Knight – Dorking
18.Rob Tait – Wimbledon
19. Rob Fee – Dorking
20. Nic Losardo – Effingham& Leatherhead
21. Neil Brown – Aylesford Bulls
22. Tom Hunt - Dorking