Clifton (Cup Away)

Clifton 1st XV 27 vs. Chinnor 1st XV 24
Saturday 17th September 2005
Powergen SW National Cup 2nd Round

Six minutes into injury time, Chinnor were in control of both the game and the ball. They were 4 points to the good and had intelligently driven the ball forward via their pack into the Clifton 22.

They then spun the ball to their three-quarters and with Rewi Tolich breaking through the centre only to be hauled down just a metre short of the posts it appeared that this was game, set and match to Chinnor and justifiably so as they had played much the better rugby in the second half. However this was not to be as an unkind ricochet off the boot of a supporting Chinnor player bounced into the hands of Kent the Clifton full-back who set off to win a kick and chase along the entire length of the field. With Barnes converting from the touchline Clifton had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. That the referee indicated later that had Chinnor kicked the ball dead in their last phase of play, he would have blown the final whistle made the result an even bigger pill to swallow.

With Matt Buckley and Raaki Maxwell sidelined with injury, and Mike Cook unavailable, James Hewitt came in at full-back following his enforced lay-off, Philip Seymour , of the Seymour dynasty, was given a place in the starting line-up for his first taste of League Rugby and versatile Club Captain Jon Brooks came into the back-row. Clifton were straight off the blocks when Barnes their prolific goal kicker kicked a penalty in the first minute. They added to this just 6 minutes later when they broke down the blind side of a scrummage for Levis to take an inside pass and score wide-out, Barnes making no mistake with the conversion. Chinnor then scored when Eric Brown forced his way over with Richard Williams kicking the conversion. Clifton were on the score-sheet again when some sloppy defending allowed Sills go over with Barnes again adding the extra points. A flowing move up the touchline saw Rewi Tolich score his first try in Chinnor colours and with another Eric Brown try following good approach work from the forwards, and Williams adding the conversion , Chinnor were leading at the half-time break.

Clifton started the second -half purposefully and regained the lead with a Barnes penalty. It was then mostly Chinnor with Eric Brown scoring his third try following a powerful run down the touchline. This gave Chinnor a 4point cushion which they could have added to had Richard Williams converted a penalty. With the Brown try coming in the 60th. minute status quo prevailed for the last quarter until the dramatic finale.

Once again the leadership of Hennessy was first rate, ably supported by Joe Winpenny who put in another sound all-round performance. A special mention for Philip Seymour, Ben Hackshaw and Ed Devine. They all played their part in the game and are a proud testament to the strength of the Mini, Junior and Colts section of the Club where they were playing their rugby last year.