The Chiltern Cheetahs entertained the Sussex Thunder on Sunday, in the Southern Championship at Amersham & Chiltern Rugby club. The Cheetahs had twice beaten the Thunder this season, but both games had only been won in the last few minutes of both games, and a close hard fought game as predicted. Chilterns Quarterback, Rob Suttling, played the game of his life, by guiding the Cheetahs to a 34 - 6 win, with 334 passing yards and 5 Touchdowns, passing to 8 different receivers.

Scoring by Quarter 1st 2nd 3rd 4th TOTAL
Chiltern Cheetahs   12  14    0    8     34
Sussex Thunder       0   0     0    6       6

Scoring Summary:

1st Qtr     Darren Shepsman 1 yard catch from Rob Suttling  6 - 0
1st Qtr     Chris Gill 65 yard catch from Rob Suttling   12 - 0
2nd Qtr   Spencer Whybrow 28 yard catch from Rob Suttling 18 - 0
2nd Qtr    Spencer Whybrow 46 yard catch from Rob Suttling 24 - 0
              Andy Cochrane extra point x 2 run    26 - 0
4th Qtr    Sussex Thunder 1 yard TD run    26 - 6
4th Qtr    Adrian Stemp 31 yard catch from Rob Suttling  32 - 6
             Spencer Whybrow extra point x 2 catch from Rob Suttling 34 - 6       

Sussex received the opening kick-off, and on the first play Paul Robinson pass was intercepted by Andy Crowther and returned into Sussex territory. But a strong Sussex defence held firm after the Cheetahs picked up a first down, by stopping Andy Cochrane run short of the down mark on 4th down. Sussex next drive ended by a punt, only for the Cheetahs to drive down field, with Spencer Whybrow catching 2 first down passes, setting up Suttling first Touchdown pass of the game to Darren Shepsman from the 1 yard line 6 - 0. The Cheetahs defence again force a Sussex punt, and on the next play Suttling passed to Chris Gill for his first senior catch down the sidelines for a 65 yard Touchdown 12 - 0.
Chiltern’s lead was increased in the second quarter, When Suttling connected with Spencer Whybrow for a 28 yard Touchdown (18 - 0). On Sussex’s next drive they picked up a couple of first touchdowns including Paul Robinson’s 38 yard pass to Will Graystone, before Chiltern’s Ally Reid defended a Robinson pass into team mate Andy Crowther hands in the end zone, for a touch back. Then Andy Cochrane running moved the Cheetahs down the field, before Rob Suttling found Spencer Whybrow for his second touchdown of the game, this time for 46 yards. Cochrane then ran in the 2 extra points to get the Cheetahs a 26 - 0 half time lead.
Sussex kicked of the second half, and force the Cheetahs to go three and out, but a bad snap on the punt hand the ball to the Thunder in scoring range, only for the defence to sop them on 4th down. Then backed up  inside there 10 yard line, the Cheetahs where forced to punt again, but with a strong wind against them and bad bounce handed the ball back to the Thunder in scoring range again.  The Cheetahs defensive again held firm on a 4th a goal situation, leaving the Offence starting with they end zone right on their backs. Again the Cheetahs punted to the half way line. Then just as the third quarter was coming to an end both teams quickly turned over the ball on interceptions. Chiltern’s Ally Reid intercepted a Robinson pass in the end zone at the start of the fourth quarter. Then Rob Suttling found David Williams, who raced down the sideline for 56 yards, then an all out blitz by the Thunder recorded a 12 yards loss on a sack, before Suttling was intercepted for the second time on the 10 yard line by Dayle Kirby. Sussex then scored on a 1 yard run, with the two point attempt unsuccessful.  Sussex Paul Robinson then attempted an onside kick, which was recovered by Chilterns Darren Whybrow. Then came Suttling’s fifth touchdown pass of the game, when he found receiver Adrian Stemp wide open for a 31 yard score, with the extra point pass to Spencer Whybrow to complete the scoring 34 - 6.
In addition to Suttling Offensive MVP the Defensive award went to Mike Butler who recorded 9 tackles.
Chiltern, will now go on to the Division 2  finals on 26th September at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield (Kick-off 12 noon) as the Southern Champions to face Doncaster Mustangs, who beat Dundee Hurricanes 13 - 12 in the Northern Championship.