Chinnor did not have ideal preparation the sixty five mile journey down to Bishops Cleeve, with one player declaring himself unavailable the night before and a further two becoming unavailable on the morning of the match.

Nevertheless, they were able to field a bare fifteen, which was ultimately, worked extremely hard, by the systematic use of replacements that ensured consistent fresh legs for the large Cheltenham squad.

Cheltenham opened the scoring with a converted try. That lead was then increased by virtue of a successful penalty. 10-0. Chinnor though, hit back with an excellent.and much deserved try, scored by the energetic Tom Duffy. Ben Hewitt parted the uprights and it became 10- 7. The scoreboard remained static until the referee culminated the half with a loud blast of his whistle.

Come the second period, it was Chelts who got the scoreboard moving again, with an unconverted try. As Cheltenham rung the changes to crank up the pressure, Chinnor refused to buckle. Then came a spark which stung Chelts. Tim Hughes took possession on halfway and proceeded to give an electric cameo exhibition of individual instinctive running. It took him virtually to the try line, where he popped the ball to flanker, Ben Sanders, who had made a great effort to put himself where he needed to be.

With the clock ticking down, Ben Hewitt dropped kicked the ball over the cross bar to take Chinnor within a point at 15-14.

Cheltenham managed to keep their noses in front and it ended 15-14, to avenge their considerable defeat on the opening day of the season. Pick of the pack for Chinnor, was Tom Duffy, who gave a master-class in lines of running, as he strove to inspire his team mates to better things..

Next week, its the final round of matches in the second phase of Berks, Bucks and Oxon league, when Chnnor take on Milton Keynes at home.