Surrey One

Battersea Ironsides 27

Chipstead 6

Jake Howe made a welcome return at number ten for Chipstead, but poor tackling in the backs cost them tries in the second half.

Chipstead again considered themselves favourites, as they had done for the National Junior Vase defeat to Uckfield the week before.

Preparation at the Burntwood Lane ground, Earlsfield, with small changing facilities and a 10-minute walk to the ground, will never suit any visitors.

However, Chipstead put Battersea under early pressure with quick rucking and dominated both lineouts and scrums.

An early penalty for Ironsides after hands in the ruck gave them an easy kick.

Chipstead's Dan Martin had a opportunity to even the score, but from his wrong foot it just missed the uprights.

Within two minutes he had a second chance from the opposite side and levelled. Both sides played well ball in hand, particularly the forwards, but Chipstead were clearly stronger in the rucking area.

Ironsides took the lead through another penalty, adding a brace of second half tries and a drop goal.

Some confusion was clear in the Chipstead backline as the tries came from poor tackling.

Clearly not pleased, director of rugby Carl Powley saw some positives, such as Howe's return.

There were also strong running lines from Ollie Best and Jordan Butt and a continued showing of determination in the forward play from Jim Whittington, Alex Cannon and the return of Jim Demeza at second row.

Chipstead host London Exiles on Saturday, and the reverse fixture the following week in a rescheduled league match.

Continuing with the policy to involve the club juniors, one of the U10s will be chosen as mascot this week.