Seconds lose out to a loaded team

Chinnor Seconds Match Report for 25th February 2012
Chinnor Seconds vs. Esher Academy
Chinnor Rugby club second team welcomed a supposedly Esher academy team to Kingsey road on Saturday, another big club whose first team play in the championship league, three leagues above Chinnor’s first team. The problem with playing these big clubs is that when their seconds are not playing, which does happen frequently in that league, they load their 3rd teams. Sadly this does reflect on the standings of those in not so fortunate positions. During the warm up one could see that this was going to be a very tough and physical game as they looked a very well drilled team with a lot of talent and very quick back line.
The first half started well for Chinnor and we took the lead after four minutes with a successful penalty by Sam Angell. Chinnor were put under a lot of pressure from Esher and this resulted in some lost opportunities where we were rushed and tried to play their game. Our boys were strong in defence and managed to keep Esher at bay for at least thirty minutes before they were able to get their first points with a try followed another six minutes later with both converted, so ended the half 12 points to 3 in the lead. The Chinnor defence was outstanding against a well drilled team and Chinnor also were unlucky not to have got a try.
The second half started with Chinnor being a lot more organised and they attacked Esher resulting in a lot of the game being played in between the two 22 metre lines. The boys enjoyed 50% of the territory and position and threatened the Esher line, unfortunately a bad off load allowed Esher to get their backs running and Chinnor conceded a cheap try on the fifty fifth minute. Esher increased the lead to 19 points to 3. This mistake seemed to spur the boys on and on sixty five minutes on Max Williams scored in the corner and narrowed the gap to 19 points to 8. Shortly afterwards Esher were on target with a penalty. Chinnor were unlucky when during a chase for the Esher line, Jack Green was pushed and he was winning the run to score, but the offence went unpunished and Chinnor were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try. Following on Chinnor took control again and got the ball to Will Millett who scored in the corner which Sam Angell converting, and the gap narrowed to 22 points to 15. Esher then replied with an outstanding try and increased their lead to 27 points to 15 and with it a try bonus point. Chinnor didn’t give up and they came right back with a try by Max Mitcham and the game finished 27 points to 22 and a losing bonus point for the boys.
The team can be very proud of themselves, they played an outstanding team that showed the skills of being the best organised team this season. There were so many good performances but Man of Match goes to Max Williams for all-round play in attack and defence.
Walter McGuicken