Although looking well organised in their three  warm-up matches, this home fixture against newly promoted Reading Abbey in the 1st Round of the Powergen Cup was seen as a major indicator of the Chinnor pre-season preparation.

Chinnor took the field with their strongest available XV. who put together a most workmanlike  first half performance. Richard Williams, Chinnor's replacement for the departed Cathcart kept them on the front foot with some judicious kicking to the corners  to set -up some attacking options. This no nonsense approach gave Chinnor an early reward when Paul Hennessy, Chinnor's acting captain, recently returning to the Club from his Welsh sojourn, picked up from the base of the scrum to power his way over the line. The conversion by Williams putting Chinnor 7 points ahead after 5 minutes.

Further pressure from the home side saw Eric Brown, another returnee, score in the corner and with Williams kicking a penalty Chinnor were 15 pts to the good with 15 minutes played. Two tries by Chad Ward , both scored from clear overlaps after slick handling by the three's, and one from Andy Millburn following a rolling maul, the latter converted by Williams, saw Chinnor in a commanding lead at the half-time whistle.

John Brodley chose a young , inexperienced bench  at this level, (with the exception of Alan Cawston ) with the intent of giving them all a taste of South West 1 rugby. This positive action would inevitably interrupt the pattern of play, but although Chinnor only added a Rewi Tolich try which Williams converted this was as much to do with the gutsy Abbey second half performance, who upped their commitment considerably, as with the oppressive playing conditions.

In all a satisfactory outing for this new look Chinnor XV.

Not bad for a " village" outfit. !!