Chinnor finally overcame a resilient Caldy with a Morgan Passman try in the last play of the game to come away with a 5 point victory. The game was very much in the balance as Caldy came back from a seemingly lost position after Chinnor had missed a simple penalty in front of the post to go 3 scores clear. Caldy launched a counter attack and came within a score but then Chinnor upped the tempo and sealed a famous win for their first ever Championship game at home.
In front of a huge crowd in lovely late summer sunshine Chinnor started the game with a bang. A superb break from Feeney gave Chinnor an attacking position which Hardwick made the most of with an athletic pick up and score. Wharton was prominent in attack and defence with a mighty all round performance.
The visitors struck back immediately after a series of penalties they kicked to the corner and a powerful driving maul saw the referee award a penalty try and yellow card an unfortunate Dugmore.
Chinnor took the setback in their stride and immediately went in the offensive. Looking to up the tempo at all times and keep the ball in hand Chinnor increased their lead when Hardwick went over for his brace on 23 minutes.
Chinnor’s lineout was functioning well with Shaw a dominant presence.
Feeney unleashed a huge 50/22 from the kick off and from a superb lineout move the elusive Goss beat several defenders and offloaded to the ever present Wharton who plunged over, 19-7.
Chinnor attacked from deep in the last minute of the first half and after a searing break from Slevin he linked with Dugmore and Curran who released Goss to score in the corner, 24-7.
Caldy started the2nd half with the wind but excellent Chinnor defence denied them a foothold to get back in the match.
A frustrating series of penalties from both sides took the impetus out of the game for large parts of the second half until the final 5 minutes of the thrilling denouement.
A trademark silky break from Nick Smith who released Hughes on a charge to the line, desperate defence from Caldy saw the dangerous Scotsman denied by inches.
Nick Easter “ I am happy with 5 points but it was a really scrappy game. We tried to play with tempo but were continually penalising. Fair play to Caldy who made the game very difficult and their defence in the first half was really top drawer. I am happy with 12 points from our first 3 games and perhaps people will notice we are harshly treated being denied a place in the Premiership Cup”

Chinnor-
Tries- Hardwick (1), (23), Wharton (26) , Goss (40) , Passman (80
Conversions - Slevin ( 1, 23) , Smith (80)

Caldy
Tries - Penalty Try (10) , Wynn (66)
Drop Goal - Atiss (30)
Conversion - Wynn (66)

Chinnor - Feeney 7.5, Hughes 7.5, Passman 6.5, Rokodrava 6.5, Goss 7.5, Slevin 7, Carter 7, Wharton 9, Curran 8, Dugmore 7, Ryan 7, Shaw 7, Hardwick 8, Walker 8, Lines 7

Replacements- Clarke 8, North 6.5, Pascoe 7, Clementson 7, Smith 7

Caldy - Kilcourse 7, Wills 6.5, Cartmill 6.5, Wilkinson 7, Jones 7, Lewis 6,Wynn 7.5, Dickinson 7, Woodman 8.5, Jones 7, Sanders 6, Olyott 6, Spriston 7, Hearn 6, Rushston 7

Replacements - Gallagher 5.5, Wetherby 6, Aigbokhae 6.5, Stevenson 6,
Ridgeway 6, Atiss 6, Barlow,5

Chinnor lineout 15-2
Scrum 3-1
Penalties 18
Tries -5

Caldy. Lineout 13-9
Scrums 6-0
Penalties 9
Tries- 1

Man of Match - Izzy Wharton

Attendance - 2125

Referee - Andrew Jackson

Photo credit - David Howlett

Next home match vs Hartpury University 19th October 3pm kick off.