Coney Hill (Away)

This was not as easy as the score suggests. Coney Hill threw everything except the kitchen sink at Chinnor in the open stages of the game. Although Chinnor elected to play with the breeze it was Coney Hill who went into overdrive for the first 15 minutes requiring sturdy and resolute defence to keep them at bay. Chinnor took the lead with a long range penalty from James Cathcart, after weathering the Coney Hill onslaught, in the 15th minute. This was the first time Chinnor had ventured into Coney Hill territory albeit by a couple of metres. It then became the Phil Huxford show with the speedy winger running in three tries in the space of eleven minutes, when Chinnor got some possession and spread the ball wide. His first came when Chinnor moved the ball across the threes with the winger beating his opposite number on the outside by sheer pace. His second when he came inside to confuse the covering defence and score under the posts, with the third coming from another piece of blistering speed. With Cathcart kicking the one conversion and then a penalty on the half-time whistle, Chinnor were 25 points to the good, with Coney Hill left wondering at the justice of the score line.

Chinnor carried on where they had left off at the end of the first half when Pip Seymour decided to get in on the act and show that he is no slouch with the ball in his hand either when he ran strongly to score in the corner. With Zane Winslade being dragged down just inches from the try line, Chinnor were looking dangerous and on course to extend their lead. But it was Coney Hill who took the game to Chinnor in the final quarter. After battering the Chinnor line for several minutes it was no surprise when their No.5 Chris Cooper forced his way over in the 60th minute. Further unrelenting pressure saw Sean Felice go over some 10 minutes later and with fly half Rory Baker slotting both conversions, Chinnor were left more than pleased that their first half burst of scoring had given them a comfortable cushion.

This win was achieved initially by a strong defensive display. The tries , which were well executed, came after they had weathered quite a pounding in the opening quarter. This was a potential banana skin as it never an easy task to come away with a win in the West Country, particularly when it is in the heart of Gloucester. Ask Bracknell they came away with a 10 point to 5 score line and by all accounts were fortunate to come away with a W.

Four games left, three of these at home has the makings of a nail biting run in. Its safe to say that every game at the moment is of cup-tie intensity. After Saturday's results Chinnor are now definitely in the play-offs but of course would wish to win the title out -right and give Bracknell the opportunity of gaining promotion via this route.

Coney Hill 1st XV 14 vs. Chinnor 1st XV 30 Saturday 1st March 2008 South West Division One

Coney Hill 1st XV 14 vs. Chinnor 1st XV 30
Saturday 1st March 2008
South West Division One