Chinnor 1st XV 30 vs.
Dings Crusaders 30
National League 3 South
Saturday 23rd September 2006
Once again Chinnor were slow out of the
starting blocks. Indeed in the first quarter they could hardly get their
hands on the ball. It was all one way traffic with Dings calling the
shots from the word go. It therefore came as no surprise when Dings
opened the scoring in the 4th. minute when good approach work by their
forwards was follow by some slick handling by the three-quarters which
created an overlap to put winger Sylvan Edwards in for a try. With
Collier kicking the conversion and a penalty some 5 minutes later ,
Chinnor found themselves under the cosh and paying the inevitable price
for such a lack lustre start. A further try by Chris Wright-Hoer, set up
by a driving maul gave the visitors a 15 point cushion after just 19
minutes of play.
Chinnor then decided to give themselves
a wake-up call. They started to win some possession with the forwards
gaining some momentum to win some quality ball. Following a line-out
some 20 metres out they worked the ball to the threes where Anthony
Pyers cleverly spun out of a tackle to score under the posts. With
debutant Andrew Coady forcing himself over the line from a rolling maul
and Richard Williams adding both conversions Chinnor were well and truly
back in the game. A further Williams penalty on the stroke of half-time
meant Chinnor being just one point adrift at the half way stage and
looking the most likely of the sides to force a result.
The second half saw Chinnor start where
they left-off with Craig Burrows going over from a rolling maul with
Williams adding the conversion. Dings however were giving Chinnor a
torrid time in the scrums by putting them under pressure at every
set-piece. It was from one of these set scrums that they won the ball
against the put in to set up a try for Holder. With Collier adding the
conversion the Dings were again in the ascendancy. With the game
swinging from end to end and Chinnor desperately in search of another
score. They pressed hard and went close on a couple of occasions but it
was Dings who added to their lead when an astute chip by fly half
Griffiths caught the Chinnor defence at six's and seven's to allow
Edwards in for the simplest of tries. This was a cruel blow but
indicative of the pace of the game at this level. Two penalties by
Williams in the 78th and 84th minutes of the game ensured a share of the
spoils for Chinnor.
This was a game that Chinnor will feel
they let slip in that they had the momentum to take them to victory with
30 minutes left but could not add to their lead. In the main this was
due to their inability to gain parity in the scrums where they were most
definitely second best. Two turnovers in this department cost them
dearly. All opponents so far have commented on the strength of this
league with the overriding focus being to remain in it By now. Chinnor
recognise this in spades.
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