An intermittent breeze provided the backcloth for some otherwise fine rugby weather on the final day of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon first phase group matches.

Following a series of very recent injuries, Chinnor fielded what may have their weakest side of the season and Redingensians their strongest. Rather predictably, this equation created a dynamic and pulsating game.

Chinnor were the first to show when a period of sustained pressure culminated in Ross Gehnich popping the ball back for the oncoming Tim Hughes to run onto and cover the last few metres into the try area. Ollie Heath eagerly stroked over the conversion to give his side a 7-0 lead.

Chinnor continued to crank up the pressure and were rewarded, when Dean Spinks stole the ball in the line out and thereby presented the opportunity to launch their backs. The fast moving ball reached Brendan Davis and he dived over in the corner. Ollie heath was unable to bisect the posts from the touchline. 

At 12-0, Redingensians were awarded a penalty directly in front of the posts. From some twenty metres, the resulting kick drifted wide of the left-hand post. Reds responded positively and kept their foot on the accelerator. The pressure they created resulted in another penalty, which was in a similar position to the former. This time their full back secured the points to make it 12-3.

Chinnor responded by raising their game. They found themselves rucking Redingensians off the ball for dean Spinks to accelerate his way around the cover and despite a despairing tackle, into the corner. Ollie Heath came close with his touchline attempt and Chinnor led 17-3.

After a further period of intense physical and energetic play from both sides, the referee brought the half to a close.

Come the resumption, Reds came out fired up and on a mission. As they stoked up the pressure, they released their huge tighthead with a short tapped penalty. Mark Rumble stepped up to the plate and felled him with a mighty swing tackle into the ground. After the ground shuddered, the ball carrier rolled over to consume the remaining metres and ground the ball over the try line. As Chinnor drew attention to the blatant double movement, Reds secured the conversion to make it 17-10.

Chinnor were stung and bounced back. It was not too long before they were awarded a penalty, when Reds were pinged for handling in the ruck. Ollie Heath could make no mistake from fifteen metres directly in front. 20-10.

Following further intense exchanges, a missed tackle crowned some attractive offensive rugby and Reds made it 20-15, with a try in the corner. The conversion attempt dropped just short.

Chinnor came straight back and after some sustained pressure, were awarded a penalty for handling in the ruck. From twenty metres out, Ollie Heath did well to bisect the posts from an angle, to give his side a precious eight-point lead at 23-15.

Well into stoppage time, the missed tackle gremlin struck again, as Redingensians pierced the Chinnor cover in the corner and took the ball around under the posts to set up a simple conversion. The opportunity was not spurned and the scoreboard moved to 23-22.

There the score remained, as the whistle went soon after.

Every single Chinnor player had given there all, but Ben Sanders, Matt Grellier, Will Batting, Jimmy Powell, Dean Spinks, Tim Hughes and Luke Goddard were particularly worthy of mention.