Chinnor promoted to National League Division 3 South as champions

The biggest crowd of the season turned up at Kingsey Road for the game. With the wind blowing strongly in a South Easterly direction, Harlequins won the toss and invited Chinnor to play with the elements in their favour. From the kick-off it was evident that Chinnor had done their homework and decided to mix things up, particularly with their defensive alignment and this, along with the intensity of their play, saw them dominate the early exchanges. The referee made his intentions quite clear, when in the 7th minute, he sin-binned both Zane Winslade and Paul Delange for an off the ball incident. Although Winslade was yellow carded, in his two seasons at Chinnor no one had ever seen him throw a punch before, this in itself was an illustration that Chinnor were not going to be intimidated. Some 6 minutes later James Cathcart put Chinnor ahead with a well stuck penalty goal. With Harlequins spilling the ball from an attempted three-quarter move, the alert Trevor Powell gathered a friendly bounce to run some 20 metres and score at the posts. With Cathcart converting this and, by virtue of Harlequins constantly infringing, kicking four more penalties from varying distances, the last from 50 metres out, Chinnor held a 22 point advantage at half-time. They were not home and dry by a long way as they had to defend into the wind in the second half.

It was felt that the first twenty minutes of the half were important, as, if Chinnor would not concede any points during this period, then there task would be that much easier. Although Harlequins were well on the offensive during this period the Chinnor defence held firm. With Frank Jones kicking two penalties in the 60th and 65 minutes, Harlequins were creeping back into the game and when Kenny Sewell took a quick tap penalty in the 71st minute to put Paddy Soper in next to the posts with Jones converting it became nail biting time for the home support. However Cathcart calmed the nerves when in the 74th minute he kicked another penalty to leave Harlequins needing to score twice in the last 5 minutes. This they could not achieve which left Chinnor both worthy winners and champions at the final whistle.

As Matt Hutchings has so rightly mentioned, the team spirit of the side has carried them through at vital times during the season. Yes there have been some outstanding individual performances from a group of very talented players but it is what they have done collectively that has won the day. Add to this the coaching, the physio's, the administration, the video work and subsequent analysis ,all with just the  one focus, then you have a recipe for success.

A couple of observations. Firstly the argument that we should stand still and be satisfied with a mid table spot in South West Div 1. season after season is patently flawed. Maidenhead just missed the play-offs last season and are relegated. Reading mentioned that this Division is within their comfort zone, they are relegated.  Secondly, We must always have ambition Next year we must not be content with finishing just outside the bottom three we should be looking at a mid table spot and then consolidate. 

Finally   a little nostalgia. When Chinnor RFC was founded by Frank Angel, Cyril Perry and Marcus Cann some 46 years ago, would they ever in their wildest dreams have thought that one day Chinnor would be playing London Scottish, Rosslyn Park and Richmond?. Frank, after many pints and the odd whisky chaser maybe. Its a great achievement and I am sure that they would be justifiably proud. Well done you three.