In a battle between the oldest and youngest Rugby Clubs in National One it was the elder statesmen that took the spoils. The visitor’s built their deserved win on a powerful catch and drive, which saw hooker Harry Fry score a hat trick, and the unerring boot of returning old boy Leo Fielding.

Chinnor started in the game in determined form and came flying out of the blocks. It seemed that the home team’s scrum was getting the best of the early skirmishes and Chinnor took the lead through a Ryan penalty on 15 minutes. Ryan was using the prevailing conditions well and Chinnor were playing some lovely heads up rugby and came close on several occasions after good attacking forays from Goss, Heath and Burns. Chinnor extended their lead after the prolific Holland pounced on a loose ball on half way and out sprinted the cover to dot down, 8-0. Ryan added another penalty on 25 minutes to increase the lead to 11-0.

However, Chinnor failed to catch the restart and gave Blackheath their first opportunity to show their powerful driving maul from an attacking lineout. Fry was in the vanguard to score his first, which would turn out to be probably the lowest amount of total yardage for a three try performance. At 11-5 the game was very much in the balance and both sides gave everything in an attempt to tilt proceedings in their favour. Jake Lloyd went tantalisingly close as he dived for the corner but a super tackle from Goss prevented him from scoring. Chinnor then defended superbly on their line to finish off the half with their noses in front.

Blackheath played the second half well, utilising the increasing wind to build pressure in terms of territory and possession. Chinnor were not helped by their indiscipline and immediately were reduced to 14 men when Bordill received a harsh yellow card on 46 minutes. From the resulting penalty Fry crashed over for his second and Blackheath took the lead 11-12. Fielding kept the montenmum going for Club with a penalty. The referee became increasingly pedantic and seemed to pick up Chinnor for every minor offence whilst happy to let similar offences go for Blackheath. However, from the restart Chinnor were in front of the ball, a scrum reset Chinnor were penalised for an early engagement which Club sent a long kick to touch. From the clearly not straight lineout Blackheath scored their third try, with Fry completing his hat trick.11-20.

The visitors were now on top and Fielding was a constant threat with his running ability and superb off loading skills. More pressure from Blackheath saw Henry Staff crash over after super work from Lloyd and Fielding which Fielding converted. 11-27.

Chinnor showed great spirit and tenacity to bounce back and Jubb had a big impact off the bench with the returning Bordill. He finished off a lovely move where Cano, Hopkin and Heath created his chance. 18-27 on 64 minutes. The visitors put the result beyond doubt
with 2 penalties from Fielding on 70 & 75 minutes to stretch the lead to 18-33.

Chinnor had the final word when in the last few minutes they mounted a series of attacks. Jubb showing well again and quick ball was recycled to Heath who made a big bust down the touchline, Dancers in tandem then linked with Barnes whom supporting well finished off the flowing move. 23-33.

Chinnor’s performance was a big improvement on recent weeks and they showed great character and battling qualities in adversity

Chinnor : Southworth, Price, Gilding, Thomas,Dancer,Norey, Bordill,Burns, Hopkin, Ryan, Heath, Dance A, Barnes ©,Holland , Goss, Reps: Schickerling, Cano, Jubb, Oliver,George, Grose

Blackheath: Williams,Fry,Herriott, Stradwick,Daish,Owen,Bate,Nilsson, Daly,Cooke, Ransom, Burchum, Staff,Lloyd, Fielding Reps: Perks,Dais,Leonard, Leibenberg, Tarrant

Referee Mr Nick Wood

Attendance 405

Match Report by Johnny Vaughan