In a game of 2 contrasting halves the Pirates eventually held onto the win after a huge fightback from Chinnor. Pirates showed clinical efficiency in the first 25 minutes which saw an incredible hat trick from the lethal Matthew McNab. They opened up a commanding lead of 33-12 lead at half time and were looking favourites to score in every possession. Fortunes swung dramatically in the second half with a superb fightback from Chinnor who pounded away at the Pirates line. They outscored the visitors 19-0 in the second stanza but the titanic fightback was ultimately just short of an epic victory

Firstly a break from livewire scrum half Hiscocks saw him scoot under the posts to open the scoring, 0-7. Chinnor hit back immediately when Kieran Goss managed to create confusion from the restart and from the ensuing penalty to the corner, Alun Walker expertly guided the maul over the line, 5-7. Hiscocks was again instrumental as McNab notched his first after a pinpoint cross kick from the diminutive scrum half, 5-12. McNab added his second when Pirates attacked from the restart and he outpaced the defence from 60 metres, 5-19. Another cross kick this time from Houston saw McNab score a hat trick in under 25 minutes, 5-26. It was now looking like it was going to be a very long afternoon for Chinnor as they struggled to live with the pace out wide. Showing their fighting spirit Chinnor managed to pull themselves back into contention after a jinking run from the elusive Nick Smith saw him touch down under the posts, 12-26. Chinnor were awarded a penalty on 40 minutes and kicked to the corner looking to make it a one score game. However the kick went dead and from the restart Chinnor overplayed and their sloppiness was pounced on by McNab who incredibly scored his 4th in 40 minutes, 12-33 HT

Chinnor mounted a stirring come back in the second half and in the heat upped their intensity and physicality to put the Pirates under huge pressure. Pirates managed to keep their line intact for 25 mins before Callum Pascoe expertly controlled a loose ball with his feet and dived over, 19-33. Chinnor now scented the chance of a remarkable comeback and were going coast to coast, showing their offloading game where Hardwick and Shaw were conspicuous in open play. Dugmore intercepted a Pirates throw and carried to inches of the line before Rafferty plunged over, 24-33.
Chinnor launched more attacks in the dying moments to mount what would be the comeback for the ages and when Rafferty scored his second in a very promising cameo appearance plunging over to narrow the lead to 31-33 the large crowd were at fever pitch. Pirates managed the last play and took the 5 points and Chinnor would have to settle for 2 bonus points.

Gavin Cattle “ the ultimate game of 2 halves. It was very pleasing with our attack and creativity in the first 25 minutes. I was also really pleased with our intensity of defence in the second half as Chinnor were always going to throw the kitchen sink. 5 points away for this young team was an excellent bonus”

Nick Easter “ we shot ourselves in the foot in the first half with too many mistakes but credit to Pirates who were clinical in their efficiency. Great work and spirit to come back and I was really pleased with the impact from the bench”

Chinnor- Lines (Doak 55) 6, Walker (Moore 55) 7 , Hardwick ( Onasanya 65) 7, Ryan ( Rafferty 60) 7, Shaw 8, Clementson (Stokes 50) 7 , Hall 7 , Carter ( Pascoe 65) 7 , Slevin 6, Goss 7, Passman (Bourton 55) 6, Watson 7, Hughes 7, Smith 7

Tries- Walker, Smith, Rafferty x2, Pascoe,
Cons- Slevin x3

Pirates- Young ( Dylan 60) 7, Hocking (French 70) 8, Tyack ( Woodmansey) 8, Rice 7, King (Bell 60) 7, Cannon 6, Coleman ( Agnongdon 15) 5, Everett (c) 8, Hiscocks (Becconsalll 65) 9, Houston 8, McNab 10, Ribbons (Jenkins 70) 7, McCaig 6, Wedlake 6 , Relton (Yates) 7

Tries - McNab x4, Everett
Cons - Houston 4

Scrums - Chinnor 4/1 Pirates 7/1
Lineout Chinnor 15/5 Pirates 7/1
Penalties conceded- Chinnor 8 Pirates 15

Referee - Maxwell-Keys

Crowd - 1867

Man of Match - McNab

Next Match - Friday Night Lights 2nd May vs Nottingham