Chinnor 1st XV 25 vs.
Redingensians 1st XV 5
Saturday 26th January 2008
South West Division One
Chinnor won this hard fought game in
the first 20 minutes of the second half. They were just 12 points
ahead at the interval having the advantage of the blustery breeze at
their backs. Redingensians were proving to be a difficult side to
break down. With their ball retention being first rate, they kept
the ball in the hand for long periods thus denying Chinnor the
possession they needed to utilize the wind. Indeed it was just the
one spillage that allowed Chinnor to scoop up the ball and with some
swift handling put the ever present Ben Hewitt in for the first try.
With Redingensians continuing to deny Chinnor possession, it took a
fine powerful run from Zane Winslade, shrugging off several tackles
in the process, to break the deadlock and score under the posts
allowing James Cathcart a simple conversion. This try came in the
32nd minute and with no further score gave Chinnor a 12 point buffer
at half-time.
With all to play for in the second
period, Chinnor upped their game. They adopted the pick-up and drive
tactic which was rewarded when after an initial forward surge they
released quick ball to allow Ben Hewitt to show his side-stepping
skills and score a well worked try. With Cathcart adding the
conversion into the wind, the Chinnor faithful could breathe more
easily. Minutes later, skipper Grizz McQuire went over from a
rolling maul minutes and Chinnor were 24 points to the good.
Redingensians continued to persevere and were rewarded when Joe
Duffelen scored in the corner three minutes from time. This was a
workmanlike performance from Chinnor , who stuck to the basics and
raised their game when it was required.