Chinnor 1st XV 29 vs. Cleve
1st XV 0
Saturday 5th January 2008
South West Division One
Once again Chinnor , on winning the toss,
elected to play with the wind. Possibly a fairly risky strategy in that
sufficient points need to be accumulated in the first 40 minutes to
provide a buffer from an inevitable second half onslaught by their
opponents. However this was the third time this season that they have
chosen to have the wind at their backs and the third time the gamble has
paid off. The key to this strategy is patience and once again it took up
to 15 minutes for Chinnor to register their first points via a rolling
maul. James Cathcart, who's tactical kicking in the first half was spot
on, put them in the right place to launch the forward drive with Patrick
Stennings going over. Cathcart's place kicking was also on song with a
conversion from the touchline and a well judged penalty some 3 minutes
later increased the Chinnor lead. It was Ben Hewitt's time next as he
went over the line with the Cleve defence in complete disarray. Cathcart
converted with soaring kick from the touchline. With Craig Burrows and
Tom Whelan both scoring via forward drives, and Cathcart kicking another
conversion, the Chinnor option of using the wind advantage in the first
half appeared vindicated.
The second half saw Cleve continually
attacking the Chinnor line, but all to no avail. It was a fine defensive
display by the entire side which was occasionally assisted by some poor
Cleve handling. With Ben Hewitt claiming a catch behind his goal line
meant for Cleve winger Huntley they had exhausted all their options to
leave them scoreless. A fine win to start the new year but there remain
stiffer hurdles ahead. Bracknell away on Saturday week will be massive.
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