It's been a long but fantastic five game month banking a maximum 25 points available. Not only that but both the Falcons and Wildboys remain unbeaten in their league games. The Colts too have had a strong start and 5 boys have gained representative honours.....It is massively important that we build a strong chain of Rugby at Chinnor both to create opportunities for those that want it to scale the heights of their ambition . Also we must not lose sight of our stated target of being a Community Club with all levels having the chance of game time. It is therefore very pleasing to see the return of the 4XV and the evergreen Vets have started in their usual way even beating university sides probably half their age!

Rugby at Chinnor has started well this season but we need to continue to concentrate massively to ensure the effort continues. My thanks to all those that have been working hard to achieve this.

In my last 'ramblings' I talked about culture, accountability and identity. I am repeatedly reminded by my Rugby industry friends that "the fixtures have played into our hands" and "you have not played another top 6 team apart from Redruth." Quite frankly I love all of this constant Chinnor goading - the lack of acceptance that the ‘Villagers’ can and are sitting at the top of the pile. It makes my pre-game speeches even easier. We are a grounded team, striving for perfection and it's that identity, culture and hunger to better ourselves every Saturday that keeps the 'Chinnor Crazy Gang' well oiled and motivated. We are well aware of the challenges ahead.

Last week having spent 65 minutes being interviewed by the Rugby Paper, I had to repeatedly tell the Reporter that we do not look past the next game, the next Saturday. He expressed his disbelief at this stance, trying to goad me into a grander statement, but this is the truth. Rugby is a sport where anyone on any given Saturday can beat what lays in front of them; the 80/20 rule as Thorpie keeps reminding the boys - 80% mental 20% physical.

We are a squad full of strong characters, but with equally strong team belief. Yes there will be road bumps within a season, there always are. It’s how you can deal with them and move forward that makes a ‘great’ team. This was epitomized on Saturday when we made the daunting trip to the Forest without Danny Barnes and lost Gus Jones and Tom price on the morning of the game, so Fats sat in the bench unable to play as he is still injured! To any other team a catastrophic group of circumstances and yet it had limited knock on effect to the final result. We dealt with it, re jigged the back line , front row and back row and executed as we trained. It is however fair to say that whilst we are of course pleased with 5 points at Cinderford , who we have never beaten before home or away, there is much to improve on for next weekend if we are to present a significant challenge to the high flying O. E's .

And so to this weekend’s game - first versus second - a mouthwatering prospect for a neutral. Will this result dictate league positions come April 30th? With 20 games to go, definitely not. There is way too much rugby left to play. However this is about more than that. It is about "Fortress Chinnor." We are unbeaten at home since January 30th. Someone’s current unbeaten league record will end at Kingsey Road come 4.30pm-barring a draw of course.

So to all Members, Friends, Family, Minis, Juniors , sports loving people of Thame Town and surrounding Villages - This is your Club. You have something to be proud of, something to be vocal about. Let's get a huge crowd. Let's make the Black and White army the 16th man. It's time to stand up.......................

Till then

Matt