Oxford U17's 12 vs. Chinnor U17's 25
Sunday 12th December 2004
The Oxford pitch was in fine
condition on a crisp overcast day. Just ideal for this Oxon, Berks and
Bucks Plate League match..
Chinnor were the first to make an
impression on the score board, when Ben Hewitt bisected the posts from
the opposition ten metre line, after they were awarded a penalty.
Hewitt continued to orchestrate
proceedings, as his deadly boot continually turned Oxford on their heels
and pushed them back into their own twenty –two. It was a sweeping move
though, that gave flanker Luke Goddard the opportunity to run at the
defence ball in hand. Goddard needed no invitation to gas past the
opposition and over the try line. For the first time in the game, Ben
Hewitt did not achieve his objective, as the conversion attempt drifted
wide of the uprights. It remained 0-8.
Chinnor maintained the ascendancy
and were duly rewarded a second penalty on a spot very similar to the
former. Ben Hewitt stepped up and provided an action replay by once
again bisecting the uprights with a sweet contact that sent the ball
between the posts and over the crossbar by more than a few metres. 11-0.
It was a short while later, when
Oxford were awarded a penalty some twenty metres out. As the crowd drew
its breath, the ball refused to hold its line and passed by the outside
of the right hand post.
The Chinnor forwards then gave an
exhibition of rucking and mauling as they progressed straight up the
centre of the field. Then from just in front, they swiftly sent the ball
out wide, where Dan Hughes-Morgan cut through the cover to add another
five points to the total. Ben Hewitt stepped up and switched on his
laser sight. He then locked it onto a path through the uprights and his
trusty right boot did the rest. It was 0-18 and the score line remained
unchanged when the match reached the halftime stage.
After the break, with everything to
win and nothing to lose, Oxford were inspired. They scored two deserved
tries, one of which was converted and so got to 12-18. Buoyed by this,
they continued to press. However, the more they pressed, the better
Chinnor defended. With organised and dogged defence, they gradually
reeled Oxford back in.
The coup de grace was delivered for
Chinnor by centre Tim Hughes. Following some good work by the forwards,
Ollie Heath released the backs and Hughes came on to the ball before
taking the outside lane to streak into the corner. Ben Hewitt took aim
from out wide and wrapped up the game with another excellent kick.
12-25.
It was a great team performance by
Chinnor, who worked relentlessly as a unit. Matt Grellier burst through
rucks, Will Batting hit them, Ben Lee chased down kicks and Ollie Heath
provided table service ball for the backs. The commitment to a man was
outstanding. Well done team!.
