Coventry 14 Chinnor 19
Another landmark victory for Chinnor as they win away at Coventry for the first time and make it an incredible 5 consecutive wins on the road. It also marks the first time Chinnor have achieved home and away wins against a full-time team and keeps the momentum in the race for a place off spot.
The day started in an inauspicious manner as Chinnor got off to a dreadful start by conceding 2 tries in the first 7 minutes against a rampant Coventry. Both tries were scored by livewire Captain Josh Poole as firstly he dotted down after a powerful lineout drive and secondly, he showed pace and footwork to beat several defenders and run in from a 30 metre midfield break. Both tries were converted by Thomas and Chinnor were looking down the barrel.

But as has been the story for much of the season so far Chinnor showed remarkable resilience and tenacity to shake off these setbacks and get themselves back into the contest. Chinnor had already had to shuffle the pack after some injury concerns from last week, both usual half backs were absent, but Nick Smith and Callum Pascoe had superb games. Within 15 minutes Chinnor were down to their 3rd hooker of the match with Chris Moore and Alun Walker receiving treatment and Luke Thompson again showing his qualities. Later in the game more disruption saw Morgan Passman come on in the backrow and he also showed his worth and adaptability with some strong carries in heavy traffic as Chinnor looked to hold onto their lead and manage the clock at the death.

Chinnor narrowed the deficit on 9 minutes when a strong carry from Scott Hall off the base set the platform for a series of pick and goes. It was Will Cave who managed to finally wriggle over and Pascoe converted, 14-7. Chinnor were now playing with more belief and control. A turnover from a kick return opened the blind side for Smith to exploit with a searing break passed several defenders and to within a metre of the line. This time it was his half back partner Pascoe who spotted the gap and cleverly dived under the attempted tackles to score, 14-12.

4 tries in 30 minutes pointed to a potential score fest but ironically as the conditions improved the defences tightened up and the game turned into an intense battle up front. It did look like Tiueti would increase Coventry’s lead after a big midfield bust and with men outside him the try was favourite, but a brilliant cover tackle from Pascoe stopped the move in its tracks and summed up Chinnor’s fight and never say die attitude.

In the second half Chinnor continued to build the pressure and had several chances to take the lead with multi-phase attacks close to the Coventry line. Some while line fever meant chances were spurned as Coventry held on doggedly to their lead. Grant Hughes almost scored from a miraculous one handed grab in mid air and sprint but was dragged down inches from the line. Chinnor recycled and with men in space the Coventry tackler looked way offside but was adjudged open play. As the game entered the final 10 minutes Chinnor’s forward power was telling and from another lineout 10 metres from the line the backs joined in and Tom Watson was in the vanguard to crash over, converted by Pascoe 14-19 and Chinnor took the lead on 73 minutes.

Coventry looked to attack but were thwarted at every avenue by superb Chinnor defence and pressurised into handling errors. This enabled Chinnor to hang on to win to make up for the agonising defeat the week before.

Nick Easter “ To keep the second-best attack in the League pointless after 7 minutes was a fantastic effort from the group. They dealt with the disruption extremely well, kept to the gameplan and came away with a thoroughly deserved win against a very dangerous team. We need to improve our redzone efficiency but overall it was extremely pleasing”
Chinnor- Owen, Moore, Hardwick, Brockschmidt, Campbell, Dugmore ©, Cave, Hall, Pascoe, Smith, Owlsey, Watson, hanks, Hughes, Brock
Replacements- Rukhadze, Walker, Coles, Thompson, Cooke, Taylor, Passman, Bourton
Tries- Cave, Pascoe, Watson,
Cons- Pascoe x2