Chinnor were preparing to play Chipping Norton to decide who would take a place in the South West Division of the National Under 17 Knockout Trophy next week, when a few days before, following the withdrawal of clubs, the English RFU allotted two additional places to clubs from Berks, Bucks and Oxon. In accordance with the BBO League rules, Chinnor found themselves confronted with Oxford, whilst Chippie took on Drifters. This extraordinary development required an extraordinary response to get the game on and it eventually took place.

When the teams took the field, the sun was up and so was the wind. With a vengeance. Playing with the wind at their backs in the opening half, Chinnor opted for a power game, in dispersed by incisive injections from their backs. As they began to build up pressure through their big mobile forwards taking the ball up to create consecutive phases, they found themselves within striking distance of the Oxford try line. The ball was set up for big Will Batting to crash through the despairing tacklers to score in the corner. 5-0. The wind declared its intent by refusing to allow the ensuing kick anywhere near the uprights. 

Chinnor continued robustly, to keep Oxford pinned in the final third of the pitch with wave after wave of attacks. The pressure finally told on Oxford's resolute defence, as Chinnor prepared to set up another offensive play. As a  ruck had been formed, a desperate Oxford hand entered the ruck and located the ball. That action registered on the referee's radar and a loud blow of his whistle, indicated a penalty right in front, some   twenty metres from goal. Chinnor elected to kick and Ben Hewitt bisected the uprights, despite the best efforts of the elements. 8-0.

The attacking intent of Chinnor, was met by eager defence from Oxford. The result was a constant flow of offside calls from the referee. Chinnor were able to neutralise the Oxford defensive tactics by spreading the ball wide, at speed. They were rewarded, when following a ruck, Ben Hewitt received the ball in the pocket and ran it up. Stepping inside the centres with a neat dummy, he drew the winger before releasing Chinnor's fourteen, Marcus Hare, who made the necessary fifteen metres, before lunging into the corner  to make it 13-0. The discrimination that the wind had been displaying thus far prevailed and  the conversion was missed. Come halftime, the will of the wind had prevailed on a number of Chinnor penalty kicks to ensure that the scoreboard had remained static. At this point in proceedings, those present could be excused for thinking that the margin of Chinnor's lead was insufficient given the intensity of the wind they were to face in the second half.

When battle recommenced, Chinnor resumed their forward momentum, but it was Oxford who were to take the next points. Having been awarded a penalty for back chat to the referee, Oxford eventually got themselves into a position five metres from the try line, where they were awarded a further penalty for a Chinnor indiscretion. They then received a series of similar penalties from consecutive plays, before getting over out wide. The wind decreed that the score would remain 13-5. 

Chinnor responded in the best possible way, by committing themselves to attack. Their big forwards began to assert themselves once more with excellent driving play and ball retention. Their inspired backs, took their lead from the example set by the forwards and this recipe of play delivered. At a well chosen moment, the backs were released and centre Tim Hughes cut into the Oxford backline. When he had progressed to within a few metres of the posts, two tacklers pounced and dragged him over the try line, where he touched the ball down to put his side into an 18-5 lead. The wind was resolute, so no points accrued from the conversion.

After that score, incisive attacks involving virtually every Chinnor player, came thick and fast. Among them were some stylish forays before the offensive move of the game. Hooker, Matt Grellier took one against the head, for scrummie, Ollie Heath to release his backs. Ben Hewitt took his pass and drew his opposite number before delivering an exquisitely timed pass into a tight space, which was suddenly filled by the mercurial Tim Hughes. Taking the ball in the bread basket, he simultaneously stepped between the Oxford centre pairing before disappearing in the blink of an eye. Goodnight. Hitting the line at pace Hughes was beyond the defensive line and under the posts before Oxford could realistically consider recovery. It was the crowning of a move practised many times on the training pitch. It was the reason rugby players practice their skills. A coaches dream. At 23-5, the game was safe. The wind however, would not let up. Unbelievably, the conversion attempt from less than fifteen metres, did not reach the posts, but having reached a dizzy height, reversed its momentum under the will of the wind.

When the final whistle blew, Chinnor needed no reminding that they had won through to the South West Division of the Nationals at Bristol next weekend. Chinnor, National Under 17 Runners-up last year, will be represented again this year, although it is very questionable whether they will be able to assemble fifteen players to start the first game let alone the twenty-six required to form a full squad, which will be required to contest a series of very intense competitive matches on the day.

Those players who are fit and available to play next week, will though, take great confidence from the manner of their victory over Oxford in testing conditions. Whilst to a man, everyone was excellent, some players were absolutely outstanding. Neil Mauger, Will Batting, Ben Lee, Matt Grellier, Ben Hewitt Tim Hughes and Ollie Heath to name but a few.Well done team and well done coaches. Your hard work is paying off!.