Chinnor 4th XV 5 vs. Phoenix 2nd XV 6
Saturday 22nd September 2007
Berks/Bucks & Oxon Division 2 South

On a bright, overcast day Chinnor IV’s played hosts to Phoenix II’s this week, in this top of the league clash. With the Moon waxing, no Kites were seen eyeing their prey, would this be a portent for Chinnor? Only the next 80 minutes would tell.

The referee, adjudicating on his first senior game, blew the whistle for the start of a very physical game. The Chinnor pack had their hands full containing the heavy Phoenix pack, while the Chinnor backs demonstrated some very slick moves, with beautiful hands, having been to the beauticians earlier that week.

One such move saw Rupert “The Bear” Turnball deliver a miss move past Will “Getya” Dickenson, to Chris “Half” Price at speed, who glided through the confused Phoenix backs. Despite this the move was thwarted by the Phoenix defence slapping the ball out of “Half” Price’s hands, and adjudged to be knocked on. While the Chinnor backs showed their mettle, Phoenix kept the pressure on by kicking high and long, forcing the home side to play in their own half, on the back foot. Chinnor then played Phoenix at their own game through “BishBashBosh” Bishop, Randal “And “Hopkirk” Whittaker, and Shane “Big cook, Little cook” Ellis through some neat kicks down the line. The first score came to Phoenix through a penalty conceded near the Chinnor 10. With both sides well matched, the score remained 0-3 as the last sloppy seconds of the first half ticked by.

The second half got under way after some changes. Off went “Getya” Dickenson after another solid game at 12. “Half” Price joined the centres and BishBashBosh moved to full back from the wing, with Pete “Parker” McDermott filling his place. With less control around the ruck than Chinnor were used to, Phoenix worked their way near the Chinnor 22, where they executed a well taken drop goal to go 0-6 ahead. Stepping up the gears, the Chinnor backs broke away through “BishBashBosh”, who drew his man, off loaded to Adam “Shame” Winchester who ran wide to keep off the pursuing defenders, and touched down for 5 points. “BishBashBosh” just missed with the conversion, 5-6. The game continued in it’s physical manner. Chinnor never relented, but neither did Phoenix until the final whistle blew.

Good work by Carl “Pikey” Meinke on his debut for the IV’s on the flank. A moral victory for Chinnor as the side having touched down. Keeping last years league winners to such a narrow margin was a massive task, and a clear signal to Chinnor's opponents.

Man of the match was Terry “And June” Chappell through his neat support positioning around a backs move. Mare of the match was Rowan “Cherub” Foster, for demanding ice after suffering a scratch during the game.

Chinnor travel to Windsor next week.

Scorers:
Tries: Adam "Shane" Winchester

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