Chinnor 1st XV 34
vs. Cheltenham 1st XV 27
SW League Division One
Saturday 12th November 2005
Cheltenham belied their position of propping-up the
league table at Kingsey Road on Saturday. They are a pacey side with a
strong pack of forwards who counter attack at every available
opportunity. They were somewhat assisted by a sloppy performance from
Chinnor who had started with aplomb which probably gave rise to some
complacency whereby they ignored the basics on too many occasions.
However Cheltenham were never in the lead in this high scoring encounter
albeit not being out of sight at any time. Chinnor opened the scoring in
the 9th minute when they spun the ball across the field starting just
outside their 22 metre line. The ball reached Adam White on the right
wing who kicked in-field for Rewi Tolich to gather the ball and go over
under the posts, Richard Williams adding the conversion. Cheltenham
responded when after a series of forward drives their left wing Alan was
put away to score wide out.
Chinnor were next on the score sheet when Eric Brown
went in under the posts following a well worked move in the middle of
the field, Williams again adding the conversion. Not to be outdone,
Cheltenham came back with another try from Alan who showed a fine turn
of speed to outpace the cover and score in an identical position.
A strong run from Eric Brown set-up Rewi Tolich for
his second try with Williams adding the extra points with a fine
touchluine conversion. A Williams penalty for off-side on the stroke of
half-time gave Chinnor a 24pts to 10 advantage at the interval. Cheltenham
were the more sprightly at the start of the second half and were
rewarded with Obileye, their other second row forward being awarded a
try from another rolling maul. Williams nudged Chinnor further ahead with
a well struck penalty before Lait reduced the deficit with yet another
try emanating from a rolling maul. Rewi Tolich went over for his third
try when he was driven over the line by half the Chinnor pack with
Williams once again showing the importance of the conversion by landing
his 4th.Well into injury time livewire scrum-half Hending went over
under the posts with Steve Clark eventually kicking his first goal of
the game. Judging from this performance Cheltenham will most certainly
make headway up the table with Chinnor needing to concentrate a little
more on the hard graft bits and pieces.