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The 2003/2004 season provided Chinnor supporters with some
fantastic examples of the way rugby should be played. Here you can see the
highlights of the match reports from the season.
Match reports on this page include (click the link below to view):
 
 
 
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Chinnor 26
(Tries: Oxley, Johnson. Cons: Cathcart 2. Pens: Cathcart 4.)
Reading 27
(Tries: Brooks, Barrett, Wright, Fisher. Cons: Brooks, Barrett. Pen:
Barrett.)
 Reading
had to dig deep to grind out a narrow victory against a spirited Chinnor
side in this penultimate league game at
Kingsey Road on Saturday. Reading needed just one point to gain promotion
from this most competitive of leagues although they were already virtually
home and dry having the advantage of a massive points difference over their
nearest rivals. Chinnor made four changes from the Sunday's Cup Final team
with Alan Cawston coming in at full-back and versatile Darren Oxley going
back into the centre with Charlie Oyebade making a rare appearance in place
of the absent Sam McIvor. Matthew Hutchins and Du Toit Serdyn came into the
pack in place of Andy Milburn and James Kindon.
Reading won the toss and elected to play into a
strong gustily wind. Chinnor for once were first on the score sheet when
Reading were penalised for going over the ball and Cathcart obliged with a
well struck penalty after just three minutes. Cathcart increased the lead in
the eighth minute with another penalty. Darren Oxley then got in on the act
with a fine solo effort
when he burst through the Reading mid-field to score near the posts.
Cathcart once again adding the extras. This put Chinnor 13 pts to the good
after 10 minutes. Reading's reply was fairly swift when Jeremy Flynn broke
from the base of a scrum some 35 metres from the Chinnor and put Brooks in
for an easy touch down with the same player adding the conversion. With two
more penalties from Cathcart Chinnor seemed to be making the most of the
wind advantage but a defensive lapse on the tight side saw Barrett go over
for a soft try in the 40th minute. With the lead now reduced to 7 pts.
Chinnor it appeared had squandered their advantage but straight from the
kick-off Reading fumbled the ball and the ever alert Tom Johnson secured the
loose ball to touch down. A superb kick from the touch line by Cathcart gave
Chinnor a 14pt. advantage at the half time whistle. Would this be enough was
the main topic of discussion at the interval.
It took Reading 20 minutes to claw back into the
Chinnor lead when Wright scored via a rolling maul. Six minutes later
Barrett now entrusted with the goal kicking duties added a penalty to
further reduce the deficit. Chinnor were defending in numbers with Reading
repeatedly on the offensive. A rare lack of discipline saw the referee quite
rightly reverse his decision after Chinnor, in a good position, had already
been awarded a penalty with a potential scoring opportunity then gone
begging. With Cathcart then optimistically having a shot at goal into the
strong wind and just falling short it was all happening. Then in the 77
minute a floating ball rebounded and bounced kindly into the hands of Fisher
who scored near the touchline. With the large crowd holding its breath. The
conversion attempt by Barrett saw the ball do a hop, step and a jump before
wobbling through the posts leaving Reading the winners and deserving
champions of South West 1.
 
 
 
 
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Chinnor 30 vs. Oxford
Harlequins 35
After sudden death extra time
Sunday 28th March 2004
Oxfordshire Cup Final 2004
Rugby has been played at Iffley Road for more than 100
years, but there can scarcely have been a more dramatic match than that
which earned Oxford Harlequins their first Oxfordshire Cup on Sunday.
 The
closing stages of a wonderful contest defied belief as
17 points were scored in injury time, before the sides finished level at a
tennis score - 30-all! Under the rules, the game went to sudden death, and
Quins, whose greater fitness was beginning to tell, won the game with a
superb try from full back Dave Boreham. It was no less than they
deserved in a classic contest that pitted the Quins backs against the
powerful Chinnor forwards.
As underdogs, Quins ripped into Chinnor from the start,
dominating the first half to such an extent that the favourites did not get
out of their own half for the first 25 minutes. By this stage, Quins,
well served in the line-out by Elliot Stephenson, were ten points clear.
They scored within two minutes. A break by Boreham set up a ruck close to
the Chinnor line. The ball was spun quickly down the line to left wing Elio
Recchia, who broke through one tackle to score. Fly half Chris Penney landed
a conversion and then added a penalty following a further period of
pressure.
 Chinnor,
forced on to the defensive, opened their account the first time they got in
their opponents' half, fly half James Cathcart landing a penalty. They
pulled level on the half-hour when winger Sam McIvor slipped a tackle and
fed Chinnor's best player, No 8 James Kindon, who powered over from close
range for Cathcart to convert. With the fly halves then exchanging
penalties, the score was 13-13 at half-time, which scarcely reflected
Harlequins' dominance.
Penney restored his side's lead with his third penalty
early in the second half, but then Quins' winger Henry Pooler dropped the
restart kick just short of the line. The strong Chinnor pack took full
advantage, with a driving maul over the line for a try, credited to full
back Darren Oxley. Cathcart's conversion made it
20-16, and that's the way it stayed until the 78th minute, when there
followed an extraordinary sequence of events.
Pooler, atoning for his previous error, ran on to
Boreham's pass at a devastating angle and touched down for what appeared the
winning try, which Penney converted for a 23-20 lead. But Chinnor were not
to be denied, and following intense pressure on the Quins' line, were
awarded a penalty try by referee Brian Bumpass, converted by Cathcart.
 This
decision was so hotly contested by Quins that Bumpass awarded Chinnor an
immediate penalty from the kick-off, which Cathcart landed with an enormous
kick. Chinnor, leading 30-23 in the fifth minute of injury time, were surely
set to capture their third cup. But the referee found another five minutes
from somewhere, and astonishingly, Quins hit back with a try from the
elusive Martin Nutt. Penney's conversion tied it all up.
Chinnor started the sudden-death extra period with 14 men,
after lock Matt Hutchins, who had only just come on as
replacement, was shown the yellow card. Quins
were now definitely the stronger side and in the tenth
minute of extra time scored the 'golden' try. Following Pooler's break,
Quins recycled the ball too quickly for the tiring Chinnor defence and
Boreham raced through a big gap to touch down.
Moments later, Sean Baxter, leading the side in the
absence of injured skipper Jamie Cope, raised the Oxfordshire Cup, as fans
from both sides struggled to take it all in.
Chinnor:
D Oxley, J Hewitt, J Brooks (R Warner 80), T Wood, S McIvor, J Cathcart, G
Phillips, S Matthews, T Whelan (M Cook 50), J Winpenny (J Forster 11-20,
50), J Borgnis (capt) (A Du Toit Serdyn 50), A Milburn (M Hutchins 80), T
Johnson, D Seymour, J Kindon.
Oxford Harlequins: D Boreham,
E Recchia, M Nutt, N Smith (A Noyce 29-40), H Pooler, C Penney, A Cope, P
DeLange, S Mitchell, W Houston (P Molyneux 16-25, 38-40, 78-80, 84-87), L
Pearce (L Donnelly 65), B Brusch, E Stephenson, S Baxter (capt), P Nye.
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St Mary’s Old Boys 28 (Tries: Hesketh, Munday,
Randall. Cons: Martin 2. Pens: Martin 3.)
Chinnor 12 (Tries: Johnson, Serdyn. Con: Cathcart.)
St Mary’s won this in the first half as they build up a
25-0 lead by the break.
Prop Gary Hesketh gave the home side the lead with a
try in the opening minute and Jonathan Martin converted for 7-0. On 20
minutes second row Lee Munday got the second try, Martin missed the
conversion but three minutes later slotted over a penalty for a 15-0 lead
after 23 minutes.
Just after the half hour mark winger Chris Randall went
over for a try which Martin converted and then ended the half with a second
penalty goal.
In the second half Chinnor did manage a couple of tries
with flanker Tom Johnson going over 10 minutes into the half whilst second
row Arnoldus Serdyn got a second try on 62 minutes but they were still two
scores adrift.
Martin took them three scores clear with a 70th
minute penalty which was the final score of the match.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Chinnor 28 (Tries: McIvor 2, Wood. Cons:
Cathcart 2. Pens: Cathcart 3.)
Bridgwater 24 (Tries: Cormack 2, Ranson. Cons: George 3. Pen: George.)
As the score suggests this was an exhilarating game
right to the final whistle. Chinnor faced a resurgent Bridgewater side that
had steamrollered the opposition in their last three games. Chinnor were
also in a confident mood having gained the result in three of their last
four outings. The home side fielded a number of
 changes
from last weeks starting line-up with Alan Cawston sidelined after his
facial injury last week, the versatile Darren Oxley went to fullback, half
backs James Cathcart and Ger Phillips, who took over the captaincy from the
absent James Borgnis, returned from their half-term scholastic duties with
Du Toit starting in the second row.
Chinnor did not get their hands on the ball before
Bridgwater went in front. A well organised rolling maul saw Bridgewater
trundle the ball over the line from some 15metres out for Marshall Cormack
to gain the touchdown. A well judged conversion from Andrew George saw
Chinnor trailing by 7 points with the game just 4 minutes old. It was
Chinnor who scored next when Ransom spilled the ball into the hands of David
Seymour who ran 40 metres before handing on to young Sam McIvor who ducked
under the covering tackle to score in the corner. With James Hewitt
converting from the touchline the scores were level. Bridgewater took the
lead once again via the rolling maul as they secured the ball from a lineout
10 metres from the Chinnor line with skipper Ransom scoring and George
adding the extra points. On the stroke of half-time a well angled run by
Darren Oxley saw him hauled down some 5 metres out but good support play by
the forwards enabled the ball to be recycled for Tom Wood to force his way
over near the touchline. With Hewitt unable to add the conversion the half
ended with
Bridgewater 2 points to the good.
Bridgewater increased their lead with a try from yet
another rolling maul, this obviously being a tried and trusted recipe. With
Cormack getting the try and George the conversion this was a replica of
their opening score. Cathcart took over the kicking duties and landed a
penalty before George replied in kind for Bridgewater. With 20 minutes left
Chinnor reduced the deficit when Du Toit fielded a kick on the touchline and
burst his way through several tackles before handing on to Sam McIvor who
chipped the ball over the covering Owen Salmon to win the race for the
touchdown. With Cathcart converting from the touchline and kicking a
towering penalty from 48 metres Chinnor found themselves ahead for the first
time in the game. With Cathcart adding a further penalty for persistent back
chat by Matt Hastie the Bridgewater hooker Chinnor saw out the last 5
minutes to record a memorable win.
For Chinnor Du Toit, Matthews, and the back row of
Johnson, Seymour and Kindon took the eye with Cathcart and Phillips looking
refreshed at half back. Youngster Sam McIvor certainly knows where the try
line is situated as he took his brace of tries with some aplomb. The game
was played in good spirit with not a yellow card in sight.
 
 
 
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Barnstaple 12: Tries:
L Evans, R Jones. Con: Tuhakaraina.
Chinnor 32: Tries: Matthews, Winpenny,
Johnson, Serdyn. Cons: Hewitt 3. Pens: Hewitt 2.
 Chinnor
are up to fourth after this away success at Barnstaple and St Mary’s OB
losing at home to Cinderford.
They were ahead in the second minute when prop Matthews
went over for a try and Hewitt added the extras for a 7-0 lead. Hewitt
added a penalty goal before the other prop Winpenny got in on the act and
with Hewitt converting they were 17-0 ahead, Flanker Johnson got a third
Chinnor try before right wing L Evans got Barnstaple off the mark with a try
but they went in 22-7 down.
Early in the second half Hewitt added a penalty goal
and both sides managed tries deep into injury time by which time Chinnor
were home and try and up to the lofty heights of 4th in the
Powergen South West One league table.
 
 
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Chinnor 3 (Pen: Cathcart.)
Cinderford 19 (Tries: Roberts 2, Trigg. Cons; Trigg 2.)
 
Cinderford
picked up a valuable away win at Chinnor on Saturday to keep the pressure on
Clevedon.
 
Cinderford had the better of the first half and with
centre Martin Roberts going over for a brace of tries in the 12th
and 32nd minutes, which were both converted by Daniel Trigg, they
went in 14-0 ahead at the break.
They were also first on the scoreboard in the second
half with full back Trigg going over for the third Cinderford try in the 45th
minute but this time he could not add the conversion as the visitors went
19-0 ahead.
  C
Chinnor did manage to get on the scoreboard when James
Cathcart kicked a 69th minute penalty goal. That though was the
end of the scoring with Cinderford comfortable winners.
Clevedon 31(Tries: Bushell 3, Biggins, Penalty
try. Cons: Lowis 3.)
Chinnor 37 (Tries: Dunford 2, Penalty tries 2. Cons: Brooks 3. Pens:
Brooks 2.)
 Another shock result with Clevedon going down at home
to second defeat in their last three matches as Chinnor make it three wins
in four matches.
Chinnor went ahead in the 6th minute when
John Brooks kicked a penalty goal. 10 minutes later Chinnor were awarded a
penalty try and Brooks added the extras for a 10-0 lead.
Clevedon then got back into the match when they were
awarded a 22nd minute penalty try and Mike Lowis converted. Five
minutes later and they were in front with flanker Owen Biggins going over
for a try and Lowis adding the extras.
In the 33rd minute the visitors were awarded
a second penalty try and Brooks again did the honours and they went ahead
17-14. In first half injury time though Clevedon went ahead when winger
Christian Bushell went over and Lowis again converted for a 21-17 half time
lead.
 Five minutes into the second half and Bushell completed
a double and this time Lowis missed with the conversion and they led 26-17.
Chinnor then had a hot spell with 17 points in 12
minutes to turn the game around. There were a brace of tries from scrum half
S Dunford, which were both, converted by Brooks who also added a penalty
goal for a 34-26 lead.
Bushell completed a hat trick in the 73rd
minute to get them within three points but in injury time Brooks slotted
over a penalty to seal the win.
  
 
 
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Clifton 26
(Tries: S Kent, Butcher, Viol 2. Cons: Barnes 2, S Kent.)
Chinnor 36 (Tries: Whelan, Oxley, Johnson,
Cathcart. Cons: Cathcart 2. Pens: Cathcart 4.)
 Once
again the pack laid the foundation for the Chinnor victory at Cribbs
Causeway on Saturday. Chinnor welcomed back James Cathcart for his first
game since his debilitating pre Christmas illness. His contribution of 21pts
illustrated how much he has been missed. With Alan Cawston still absent with
his fire fighting duties Darren Oxley moved to
fullback, Leon Westerman came in for the unavailable Charlie
Oyebade and Jo Winpenny started at tight head prop.
In superb conditions Chinnor took the
lead when Tom Whelan broke away and touched down from a driving maul after
just 5 minutes. Cathcart who took a while to find his rhythm and direction
with his kicking failed with the conversion. Clifton hit back rapidly and
from a patient build-up created an overlap for Sam Kent to score on the
right wing. With fly-half John Barnes converting.
Chinnor then added to their try count when they
moved the ball to the tight side. Darren Oxley taking the
ball at pace brushed off a couple of tackles and ran powerfully to
score in the corner.
 With
Tom Johnson adding to his try tally and scoring once again
from a rolling maul and Cathcart adding the extra points Chinnor
added to their lead. On the stroke of half time,
with the referee playing advantage following a
spilled ball by the Chinnor threes, Clifton fly kicked the ball
ahead, Chinnor failed to smother the ball allowing Clifton in for a
soft try. With Barnes adding the conversion the
half time score gave Chinnor a three-point lead.
Johnny David took over from the
unlucky, injury prone Jon Brooks, who had damaged
his arm in the opening salvos and could not
continue. Cathcart opened the second half with a fine individual
effort. Taking the ball from scrum half Ger Phillips he made a break
clean through the middle of the Clifton defence to
score near the posts. It had a touch of the
Richard Sharp about it in the way he gave a suggestion of a
dummy then carried on in a languid style to make the 40 metres to the
line! With the conversion a formality Chinnor and
two penalties from Cathcart Chinnor were seemingly
home and dry. However with Clifton looking dangerous when they
moved the ball wide they got back into the game in 5 minutes when Rob
Viol, their pacy full
back scored firstly on the right and then on the left wing.
Kent converting the latter try. It took two more Cathcart penalties,
for over enthusiasm by Clifton, to steady the
Chinnor nerves. His last kick signalling "no side
" and Chinnor running out worthy winners.
For Chinnor the front row were solid
with Simon Matthews once more bringing all his
experience and strength to bear with Tom Whelan
and Jo Winpenny, who had probably his best game in a Chinnor shirt
giving able assistance. These were two valuable points for the Thame
based side particularly as they were gained away
from home.
 
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Chinnor 1st XV started 2004 with a powerful victory
against Truro in SW Division One. With a number of players returning from
injury, Chinnor dominated from the outset and in the end won comfortably
without Truro causing any great problems to the dominant team.
Of special mention was the Chinnor front row
(Matthews, Whelan & Harris) who totally overpowered and dominated the Truro
front row.
 
 
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The first real match of the season, albeit a friendly gave the 1st's an
opportunity to run out against a Select XV team from National League
Division Two Newbury.
Chinnor equipped themselves very well and with exciting back play plus
dynamic forward play ended up victors in this pre-season friendly fixture.
The new additions to the team blended in well and together with the "old
hands" it was an encouraging start to what should be a fantastic new season.
It was also great to see Jon Brooks return to the team after his layoff
last season - his direct running caused havoc with the Newbury defence.
 
 
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The 2nd warm-up match was against Old Albanians -
whilst not a glamourous affair by any stretch of the imagination it gave the
1st XV an opportunity to play against a peer level team.
 
 
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