Reading U16's (Away)

Reading U16's 15 vs. Chinnor U16's 19
Sunday 28th October 2007
Singing in the rain
 

Who are we ?  Who are we ?  Chinnor, Chinnor, mighty, mighty Chinnor…..  But, what’s all this about red noses? 

Chinnor’s new rev-up chant might just have done the trick at Reading-in-the-rain, even if the words were lost on the assembled masses.  (Or even the players themselves.)  Another depleted Chinnor squad enjoyed raising their game against previously undefeated opposition to run in winners 19 – 5.  It was great.  Not pretty, not polished, not linked up, but all the same it was a thoroughly enjoyable Sunday morning in the rain. 

Playing into the elements, Chinnor played their best rugby in the first half.  Driving rain in your face makes the hard yards harder - but all the more satisfying - and Chinnor can be very satisfied with their first half display.  Repeatedly they took the game to Reading, despite conceding the first try.  Tight drives by Chinnor linked with the best rucking we’ve seen this season pushed Reading back time and again, whilst Calumn Bates warranted a few Calumn inches for driving over to level the scores.  Reading could have taken advantage of some hesitant and sloppy defence, but Chinnor rode their luck as crucial Reading passes went astray restricting the home side to the one first half try.

After the break, Bas Corpe somehow disguised his shirt and stood in the Reading backline before gratefully accepting his best pass of the day (from a Reading man), then turning and scampering to the line.  Good thinking Bas.  Fraser Kay showed a glimpse of his running skills with a superb break shortly before the ever-threatening Tom Webb completed a well linked Chinnor attack to take the Chinnor total to 19 points.

The sopping faithful enjoyed their morning.  This wasn’t vintage Chinnor and there was plenty we could criticise, but given the elements and the number of players out of position, (yes, that was Lewis BT starring on the wing), it was a stirring team performance.  They played for each other.  Well done guys.

Your roving reporter’s Man of the Match?   Bas Corpe put in another storming display, George White and Calumn Bates shone in the gloom and Ryan Pipkin successfully popped his head up into the low clouds at the lineouts.  This week’s ‘raining’ champion is back row man Ollie Jackson who stood in at fullback with a confident and thoroughly accomplished display.