In the 79th minute Chinnor were encamped on Hartpury’s line looking for a converted try to cap what would have been a first ever win against Hartpury. However some staunch defence from the home side eventually led to a turnover on their line which gave them the opportunity to kick clear and run down the clock. It was nip and tuck all the way as the game was always in the balance until the final whistle.

Hartpury had the benefit of the the wind in the first half and opened the scoring with a nicely taken try from the dangerous Smith. The lead was extended to 10 points when Bazalgette slotted a monstrous penalty from 55 metres, showing the strength of the wind.

Chinnor reacted well and hit back immediately when a trademark Luke Carter break saw him sprint clear and crash over. Nathan Chamberlain converted but missed an attempt to draw level when his strike drifted wide on the wind.

In a to and fro game Hartpury showed their ability to attack from broken play with Lewis rounding off a flowing move. 15-7.

Chinnor again attacked and were desperately close to scoring on the verge of half time when a James Bourton break took play deep into the 22 but the scoring pass did not go to hand and Hartpury scrambled clear. Chinnor had managed the game well and with lineout functioning well they would have been quite confident of being well in the game with the elements in the second stanza.

Chinnor narrowed the lead in the 48th minute when a slashing break from Chamberlain saw him step several defenders and out strip the cover, he converted his own try 15-14.

Chinnor were now in the ascendancy but were maybe too ambitious and didn’t take the opportunity to dominate territory with the benefit of the wind. A couple of lineouts now went astray which gave Hartpury the chance to launch attacks and again stretch the lead on 65 and again on 70 minutes, 25-14.

Chinnor refused to lie down and when a powerful, barrelling break from Morgan Passman released Kieron Goss the prolific left winger stormed home from 40 metres, 25-19 after 74 minutes.

Chinnor were not done and launched wave after wave of attacks and came so close on a couple of driving mauls, but just couldn’t get over the whitewash.

Both halves had finished with Chinnor not able to convert clear cut chances which could have made all the difference.

Nick Easter “Always a difficult place to come so I was pleased with the performance but can’t help wondering what could have been if we were more efficient in the red zone. That consistency is vital.”

Chinnor - Owen, Walker, Hardwick, Campbell, Brocksmidt, Hall, Carr, Mann, Carter, Chamberlain, Goss, Bourton, Watson, Hughes, Smith

Ramaz, Moore, Doak, Cave, Rafferty , Pascoe, Passman

Tries - Carter, Chamberlain, Goss
Con - x2 Chamberlain

Next up - Round 5 at home to Ampthill 1st Nov 3pm KO