Another hard earned victory for the seconds

Chinnor Seconds Match Report for 9th February 2013
Redingensians seconds vs. Chinnor Seconds

Chinnor seconds travelled to Redingensians for the return game of the 2012/13 season. Having beaten them at home in a closely fought game at home, we knew that it was going to be another of those bruising encounters we have come to know. We also had to improve on last week’s performance which proved due to the lack of competitive rugby over the last month. The game was played on a very soft and muddy pitch that was testing both sides endeavouring to play good rugby. Chinnor were without five of the regular team, but Chinnor are fortunate with the quality of players and number we have in the first/second team squad. And this week we have been able to welcome Alex Stephenson to the team. Chinnor started well and attacked well and were rewarded with a penalty after 5 minutes which Alex (Pickles) Stephenson put between the uprights from the 10 metre line. Gensians had to defend their line time and time again to stop Chinnor scoring, and the next points went their way with a penalty and the scores were level after 20 minutes. With most of the play being in the Gensians half they frustrated all Chinnor’s attempts to score and it took Chinnor until the 35 minute to add another penalty by Pickles only for Gensians to get one of their own on the stroke of half time. The score was 6 points each.
The second half started with Gensians kicking off and Chinnor setting up a ruck and after a number of pick and goes the ball went along the back line to Tristan Corpe who legged it down the line and then to slipped the ball to George Blewitt who scored. Usual second team rugby! On five minutes Max Williams was harshly penalised with a yellow card and Gensians were successful with their 3 penalty only for Chinnor to come right back with another by Pickles and after 10 minutes of the second half the score was 14 points to 9 in Chinnor’s favour. Two minutes later it was the turn of Pip Seymour back from injury to score under the posts this was converted once again by Pickles and Chinnor had increased their lead to 21 points to 9. Sam Blewitt came off injured and was replaced by Jon Lavin. Gensians proved to be a thorn in the Chinnor side, whatever Chinnor threw at Gensians they could not break down and Gensians even came back at us with a try of their own narrowing the gap to 21 points to 16. With ten minutes to go Pickles was successful with another penalty and the lead increased to 24 points to 16 presenting a little light satisfaction with and eight point cushion, which is the way the game ended.

I felt Chinnor deserved the win but Gensians defended very well and always give us a very tight game. The General marshalled the game well. The Chinnor line out was great with Simon Tattersall throwing in, and Sam Blewitt and Tack Horward jumping text book examples. Max Williams was outstanding. The whole team played a lot better than last week, sadly the conditions did not allow for good rugby. Man of the match goes to all the forwards. Our playing record continues to impress with twelve out of twelve!
Walter McGuicken