SONNING 2 - 2 PHC CHISWICK
13th October 2007

After the mauling of the Southern Hemisphere by the North in the Rugby World Cup last weekend, the eyes of world sport turned to the Linford Christie Stadium in North-West London for another battle of hemispheres - with Sonning taking on the antipodean-accented boys of Chiswick.

Sonning took to the field sporting their new Grays kit expecting a feisty encounter and keen to get back to winning ways after a disappointing draw with Ramgaria last Saturday. The deadlock was broken early on in the first half, with skipper Mike Weeks popping up for his second of the season, a cool nutmeg of the keeper, rather generously assisted by the Chiswick centre-mid.

The 0-1 scoreline remained until just after the half-time break when Chiswick fought their way back into the game. Two goals in a nervy five minutes from Sonning saw them take the lead, which they were lucky to keep when diminutive Sonning striker, Ian Gallagher had a short corner disallowed, adjudged as too high. This controversial decision kicked off a barmy 10 minutes for the umpires, who were at risk of loosing control of the game. During which time Chiswick were reduced to 9 men, which should have been 7 as two acts of dangerous play by Chiswick defenders were overlooked by the umpires, the second of which by the Chiswick centre-back would have made the likes of Sebastien Chabal or our own Jonny Wilkinson proud. Sonning's Tom Sampson also picked up a 5-minute sin-bin penalty.

Sonning took advantage of Chiswick's instability and calmly asserted their authority back on the game. A dominant final ten minutes saw an equaliser from Mark Dobbie, his first in Sonning colours, and some fine saves from the Chiswick keeper to keep his team in the game. Sonning's elder-statesman Steven King picked up the MOTM award for an assured performance at centre-midfield in a hard-fought and fair 2-2 draw.