Spot the typo.

Just as we thought Chinnor were gaining the upper hand against arch rivals Bicester, they came along to our patch and spoiled the party.  They didn’t quite blow out the candles on the cake, but they pulled down the decorations and wouldn’t pass the parcel.  They deservedly won this tight league encounter 13 – 10.  

Chinnor lost Ollie Jackson in the warm up and then made a bright start to the match with Tom Webb going blind from a scrum and setting up Adam Crisp to score in the corner after just five minutes.  Bicester’s fly-half Tom Cook responded by creating some space for his backs and a jinking run through patter-cake tackles levelled the score.  Uncharacteristically, Bicester then eschewed a penalty opportunity in front of the posts and Chinnor escaped further punishment until the visitors were offered a second penalty chance.  No mistake this time – they duly took the lead.  Elliott Bevan wasn’t enjoying this party much, turned stroppy and was despatched to the sin bin just before halftime. 

After the break, Bicester turned the screw.  Their smaller pack repeatedly pushed back the Chinnor heavies in both set scrums and mauls.  This momentum put their team on the front foot and ultimately created space for Josh Chilman to run amok and stretch the lead to 13 – 5.  Chinnor worked hard to restore their pride and pulled back a well worked try through Sam Jones.  It wasn’t enough though – the Bicester party poopers held on to win 13 – 10.  Not sure we’ll invite them next year.

Lessons?  Chinnor have to learn from Bicester’s excellent driving maul.  With the weight advantage, the Chinnor pack should dominate this element of the game against most opponents.  The rucking was better in patches, but against strong teams, Chinnor have to get to the breakdown quickly and in force.  Finally, the Chinnor squad didn’t look as fit as their opponents – too often the big men were seen dawdling with ‘the girls’ when they were needed at the coalface.

This week’s contenders for your roving reporter’s man of the match included Greg Wickert who showed some genuine passion and Tom Green for his lively contribution, but the award goes to Ahlexi Enjily who put in a prodigious number of crunching tackles.  He’d be a choice bouncer at any party.

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