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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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