A game of two halfs

Chinnor Seconds Match Report for 8th December 2012
Chinnor seconds vs. Old Albanians Seconds
Chinnor seconds travelled to Old Albanians this week for an eagerly awaited return top of the league clash. This was to be a crunch game between the two teams with Chinnor having won the home game and to see if OAs could keep in touch, or if the Thame boys could increase their lead at the top of the league. Old Albanians first team plays National one, a league above Chinnor firsts. Besides knowing that it would be a tough one, the pressure was on the Chinnor boys to make it 11 out of 11with maximum points in the 10 games to date.
Chinnor’s start was not their normal free flowing game with nerves getting the better of the team, and an easy tackle was missed that allowed OAs to run in a converted try from halfway within 5 minutes of the start. Chinnor seemed to settle down when Trevor (The General) Powell battered his way over the try line after12 minutes and Chinnor closed the gap to 7 points to 5. Chinnor appeared to be the better team on the field but with too many wrong decisions being made and against the run of play OAs scored another converted try by way of an interception. They also went on to increase their score with two penalties and before Chinnor knew it they were down 20 points to 5. The final twenty minutes of the first half, saw Chinnor uncharacteristically play their worst rugby for this season. Just on half time Pip Seymour scored a try and Sam Angell converted, closing the gap to 20 points to 12 making it a little more respectable. Coach Martin Moran read the boys the riot act at half time, and they came out with guns blazing. The second half started well for Chinnor with Tristan Corpe weaving his way through the entire OAs team and scored, converted by Angell and Chinnor had closed the gap to 20 points to 19 within 3 minutes of the kick off. The change was noticeable and the boys played good attacking rugby, with an unfortunate turn over ball on the half way line which allowed OAs to mount an attack and a miss tackle gifted the home team a converted try. They increased the lead once again to 27 points to 19.This seemed to wake the boys up and they started to play rugby as we know they can. Pip made a break down the wing fending off about four home boys and got his pass away after going through a number of hands to Sam Ludgate who scored under the posts and again converted by Angell. Chinnor once again closed the gap to 27points to 26 and a try bonus point to boot. The flood gates then opened with a penalty and tries by Ed Vickers after a great break by Nick Harrison, another penalty then two more tries by Captain Ian Stock and Ed Rixon and within 15 minutes Chinnor had taken the lead and increased the score to 50 points to 30 in Chinnor’s favour. What a turnaround! With 4 minutes of extra time played and there being no stoppages during the half Old Albanians were lucky enough to get a late try and salvage a try bonus point. The game finished 50points to 35 in Chinnor’s favour. The whole team can be very proud of themselves. This makes it 12 wins from 12 games. Man of the Match this week is Nigk Harrison.
Tries x 7, Conversion’s x 6, Penalties x 1
We welcome Cambridge RFC to Kingsey Road this coming weekend being the last game before Cristmas. g
Walter McGuicken