Corsham 12 vs.
Chinnor 4th XV 15
Saturday 13th October 2007
Tour
The Chinnor IV collective took
the Hogwart’s express from platform 9 ¾ and graced Bath with their presence
this weekend. A complete Harry Potter experience, with special guest stars;
Rob “Andrew” Atkin as Dumbledore, Terry “And June” Chappell as Hagrid,
Gordon “Voldemort” Fennel as “Voldemort”, Mike “Sippy” Hughes as Hermione
and Mike “Harry Potter” Bambrook as Harry Potter. An important annual
excursion to allow reading of religious texts and fasting.
Those new to the tour experience
were blessed with the role of House elf or Dobby. In keeping with their
character each Dobby was clothed in just their precious tour shirt and best
quality sack. Fortunately the windy weather desisted.
Following an evening of debate,
discussion and dancing the IV’s travelled to the Hamlet of Corsham, near
Littlehampton Saturday morning. The new homeplace of ex Chinnor player,
Jamie “Madam Hooch” Dickinson. Corsham, desperate for players had taken
“Madam Hooch” under their wing, and suspecting the party arriving in their
specially adapted Ford Zephyr were of similar ilk, expected an easy game!
Under the steady gaze of a local
Irish referee the game started. Chinnor found themselves under immense
pressure for about 20-25 minutes. Almost playing inside entirely their own
half. Great defence by both the forwards and backs kept Chinnor in the game.
Conjuring up some magic of his own, Will “Malfoy” Dickinson produced some
good kicks to work Chinnor down field for a line out on Corshams 10m line.
The Chinnor forwards then made good ground towards the 22, a breakdown then
quick hands by the backs let house elf, Chris “Longbottom” Price to break
through, draw his man then give a nice pass to Gavin “Arthur” Williams for
Chinnor’s first try. “Malfoy” added the conversion, 0-7.
Corsham, unperturbed continued
their strong possession, with some smooth off loading in the tackle keeping
Chinnor pinned back. Persistent pressure told, Ben “Mrs Norris” Bishop
facing 4 attackers kept them at bay, but suffered in the process and had to
pull himself off. His ankle swelling before leaving the pitch, “Mrs Norris”
made way for the ever youthful Pete “Shakespeare” McDermott.
Corsham attacked again, this
time blind. With the wing covered by Shakespeare, they ran back inside, off
loaded and went over near the Chinnor upright. 7-7. The half time whistle
went, a brief rest and the game continued. Chinnor found themselves up
against it again. The forwards performing fantastically against their
Corsham counterparts. Rob “Scabbers” Hill and Richard “Crouch” Hutt in
particular. Corsham worked their way into Chinnor's half, more pressure on
the left wing produced a scrum on the Chinnor 22. A blindside move followed
and Corsham touched down near the corner, 12-7.
Tightening their belts and
swishing their wands Chinnor set about making amends. Again the forwards
securing good possession through repeated rucks. Adam “Fang” Woodliffe with
Jeremy “Goyle” Kent trundled Chinnor into the Corsham half. Forcing Corsham
into giving away a scrum, Chinnor found themselves just inside the 22.
Secure work by the pack enabled Andy “Moaning Mertyl” Heley to pass the ball
out right, bouncing style to “Dumbledore”, who spiralled a drop kick Toby
Flood style, that crept over to give Chinnor 3 points. 12-10.
Chinnor were still under the
kosh. Defending well through Alan “Weasley” Aitken and “Voldemort” on the
right wing, and with Mike “Crabbe” Neuman and Boots “Sully’ Halson on the
left. The game really on, the pressure mounting, the clock ticking,
Chinnor’s fitness showing through forced Corsham to kick. One such clearance
found “Longbottom” on his 10m line. A quick flick of his broom and
“Longbottom” was inside the Corsham 10m but caught by two defenders,
offloading to “Shakespeare” who in turn span left to “Malfoy” coming in at
speed. “Malfoy” passed to Voldemort then to “Moaning Mertyle” who was caught
short. Up steps “Malfoy” to go over next to the posts, 12-15.
The last few minutes ticked away
as Chinnor were just seconds from greatness. Thanks to those off the pitch
as well as on it. These included Rob “Riddle” McLachlan, James “Witherwings”
Halson, Matt Geeky Locke, Mark “Hedwig” Cox.
Watched under the careful eye of
an effigy of Andy “Snape “ Gilmore, this was an excursion that chairman,
Mark “My Lord” Carrington would have been proud of.
Scorers:
Tries: Gavin "Arthur" Williams, Will "Malfoy" Dickenson, Rob
"Dumbledore" Atkin
Drop goal: Rob "Dumbledore" Atkin
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