Lydney (Home)

This was easily Chinnor's best home performance of the season. With captain Matt Hutchins and Craig Burrows on scholastic duties, Darren Oxley and Ben Hewitt injured, Eric Brown and Tom Whelan unavailable, coaches Jason Bowers and Lynn Evans had to ring  the changes. Ben Hackshaw and Adam White were deservedly promoted following some excellent performances with the 2nd XV. Richard Williams went to fullback with Gareth Duder slotting in at fly -half. Jaike Carter, another promising Chinnor youngster came in on the wing. The welcome return in the centre of James Hewitt was a bonus and with White on the other wing this was very much a new look Chinnor three-quarter line up.

After an initial Lydney onslaught Chinnor settled down. Even in the early stages there were signs that Chinnor were up for the task as their defensive alignment coupled with first up tackling was spot on. Chinnor were first on the score sheet, when with their first incursion into Lydney territory they were awarded a penalty for Lydney holding onto the ball. Hewitt made no mistake with the kick which he drilled through the posts. Chinnor then scored a well worked try from a set piece. An exchange of passes in midfield culminating in an inside ball to the powerful Carter who came in from his wing saw him brush off several attempted tackles to break clear and score under the posts. With Hewitt's conversion a formality Chinnor were 10 points ahead and well worth the lead. The game was probably won in the 10 minutes leading up to half-time when Chinnor defended superbly to thwart wave after wave of Lydney pressure to keep their line intact.

It was important that Chinnor started well in the second half as in the past this has contributed to their downfall Although again having to defend in the early stages a James Hewitt penalty put them 5 metres out from the Lydney line. The resultant catch and drive saw Adam Beets going over from the rolling maul. When Hewitt kicked another penalty, the Chinnor faithful were rubbing their eyes as the home side were 18 pts ahead and playing with no little confidence. Lydney then hit back when they wheeled the 7 man Chinnor scrum and No.8 Emery scored beneath the posts with Westall converting. When a  James Hewitt grubber kick split the Lydney defence for the alert Adam White to win the race for the touchdown and Hewitt then converted from the touchline, Chinnor were home and dry with just minutes remaining. Lydney did score right at the end with a try from scrum half Lee Thomas converted by Westall by courtesy of Mr. Miller the referee but it was Chinnor's day.

Having won two of their last four games it is most encouraging to see Chinnor ending the season on a positive note. Lesser sides would have thrown in the towel weeks ago. Not so this Club. That they have kept up their spirits and competed well , with probably just the one exception, can be put down to the encouragement and fortitude of Jason Bowers and Lynn Evans along with the never say die attitude of skipper Matt Hutchins.