Chinnor travelled north looking to finish off their season in style at DMP. This was achieved in a pulsating 12 try thriller which saw the lead change hands 4 times and Chinnor eventually hold on whilst playing with 14 men for the last 23 minutes. Yet another standout performance of attacking brilliance and hard fought determination will to win. With both teams scoring 6 tries it was Nathan Chamberlain’s immaculate goal kicking that proved the difference. His 6 conversions were all successful with several kicked from wide. Added to has impressive all round game Nathan was Man of the Match on his first start. Tom Clifford also had a very impressive debut start and was conspicuous throughout with his ball carrying and work rate.
Chinnor started with a bang and were looking like they were going to blow the host away after scoring 2 tries in the first ten minutes. Bourton sliced through the midfield and surged 60 metres to deep into the redzone, the attack looked to have fizzled out but the alert Passman picked up a loose ball and cantered to the line unopposed. The second try was a carbon copy of so many this season. A penalty kicked deep into the 22 and with Curry imperious in the lineout a superbly executed catch and drive saw the ever popular, cigar chomping Darlo dot down for an early 0-14 lead.
The hosts could have rolled over but they launched a fight back on 15 minutes when the explosive Ene finished off a swift attacked. This was quickly followed by an intercept from the hugely impressive Fantini when Chinnor over played on the halfway line and the flanker raced home to equal the score, 14-14. DMP scored their 3rd in 10 minutes when a flowing backs move released Ree to score out wide. Crucially the conversion was missed from the touchline, the only unsuccessful kick of the afternoon, 19-14
Chinnor were looking a bit shell shocked but a long hanging restart from Chamberlain gave Hughes the chance to pressure the relieving kick which he did superbly. The charge down seemed to be going dead but stopped on a sixpence inches from the deadball line and the alert Hughes pounced to score. The ding dong nature continued, 19-21
Back came DMP and another slick move seemed to have been thwarted but the referee adjudged Hughes to have cynically knocked on and awarded a penalty try and yellow carded the dangerous Scotsman. 26-21.
Chinnor responded to the setback in typical, fighting spirit and increased the pace and intensity of their game. Surging carries from McNulty and Curry got close to the line before Passman was released to notch his 2nd on the stroke of halftime and the lead to change hands yet again, 26-28
Chinnor started the second half in similar fashion to the first and with Smith and Carter finding gaps to exploit they were looking dangerous. Brockschmidt burst through from a ruck and careered into the 22, multiple phases later it was Connor who appeared on the wing to score. Again converted from wide. 26-35
DMP launched another fightback and scored a quick fire 14 points in 4 minutes. After a series of close range attacks and several penalties Chinnor eventually ran out of defenders and Ene notched his second. Worse was to follow as Curry was red carded for dissent and DMP restarted with a penalty. Fantini broke and won the race from his chip ahead to score his 2nd, 40-35.
Things were not looking good as Chinnor were now faced with having to chase the game with 14 men and DMP looking dangerous. But of course this Champion team had an absolute refusal to finish their season with a loss. The scrum was dominant with Ryan in the second row and Wharton’s pace off the base taking the attack into the redzone, the ball was moved wide and Passman crashed over for his hat trick and Chinnor retook the lead again, 40-42.

With 4 minutes left to hang on to the lead Chinnor showed remarkable team spirit, courage and fitness with the boys working tirelessly to make up for the gaps out wide. A word here for Bourts and Carts who have started every match this season and have given everything for the team. Carts just pips Bourts for actual playing time by a matter of minutes across 26 games. Alun Walker has also featured in every match and his experience and leadership have played a huge part in our success. It was Carts who managed to defend out wide and manage the overlaps. Bourts always a willing carrier into traffic as well as his ability to find space out wide. Fittingly it was Captain Willie Ryan who was on the spot to kick the ball into touch when the referee had called no side. A monumental effort having played almost half the match down to 14 men against a physical and dangerous DMP.

Another superb performance to cap a hugely successful season that has brought great pleasure to many supporters, old and new , and the whole squad should be justifiably proud in their historic achievement.