Chinnor kicked off the league season with a disappointing loss away to newly promoted Richmond. A last gasp penalty from Nathan Chamberlain meant Chinnor did come away with a consolation bonus point but they will be kicking themselves not to have come away with a crucial win. A couple of big chances to take the lead from a driving lineout and a late penalty kick were both spurned meant Richmond's redzone efficiency proved the difference on the day..

Richmond started with the wind in their favour and got an important psychological boost when the forwards earned a scrum penalty with a hefty shove in the second minute. The strength of the wind meant that every kick was challenging but Callum Grieve made no mistake from a straightish thirty metres.

Courtesy of some crunching tackling, Richmond had the best of early exchanges, though they briefly lost Jared Cardew to a blood injury and then subsequently lost a battered James Langston for the rest of the game. However, there was no let up from Chinnor, and a classic break by full back Nick Smith set up Chinnor in the home 22. Richmond were grateful when a pass near the line went straight into touch and Chinnor's first significant scoring opportunity was lost.

Chinnor maintained the pressure for a while and the Richmond defence did very well to hold a five metre drive and force their opponents back. Awarded a penalty, when Jake Monson was illegally dragged out of a maul, Grieve cleared to halfway.

Alex Schwarz and George Nugent were now prominent as Richmond progressed to the 22. When the ball was then moved down the line, Ronnie Du Randt ran hard and straight before the ball was moved out to Josh Addams with Greg Kitson outside him on the wide left. Addams did very well to draw a tackle and squeeze the ball out to the very rapid Kitson. The full back half dummied before sweeping at pace in between two defenders and on to the line for a very good try and an 8-0 lead, which lasted just five minutes.

From the kick off, a huge kick from deep in the 22 caught the wind and bounced out over the try line giving Chinnor a fifteen metre scrum. Some more excellent defence held out the visitors but at the cost of a penalty. Fly half Nathan Chamberlain made no mistake from in front.

Grieve extended the lead to 11-3 but the the elements meant Chinnor would have been happy with the benefit of the strong wind in the second half. A key turning point came on the stroke of half time when Chinnor drove from a 5m lineout but couldn't force their way over and the home team managed to cling on for half time

Was an eight point lead enough, now Chinnor had the the wind? The answer very quickly seemed ‘no’ as Chinnor scored a converted try after just five minutes of the second half. A cross kick from Chamberlain to winger Grant Hughes stretched the defence, before the ball was moved back down the line to the far left touchline and the prolific Kieran Goss was able to canter in beyond the reach of the final defender. The excellent conversion meant Chinnor were now in striking distance.

Chinnor were buoyed by the try and looked confident. However, Richmond rode the storm and as Chinnor's lineout began to falter they worked out the best way to play the wind.. Richmond had a chance with a penalty after 55 minutes but tantalisingly the ball thudded against the post and away.
Chinnor were looking the more dangerous and with the condtions favourites to take the game the longer in went on. However a difficult potential go ahead penalty was missed and Richmond pounced to make the most of their let off when after 75 minutes Chidera Obonna chased a grubber kick deep into the opposition 22. Chinnor conceded a penalty and Richmond had a five metre line out. The pack drove forward and then steadily built the pressure with a sequence of pick and dives.

Under the posts, Richmond stayed patient, but they could not blast their way through until scrum half Luc Jones dived over. Grieve’s conversion put his side two scores ahead with two minutes left. It was long enough for Chamberlain to convert a penalty from in front and get his side a deserved point, but the day belonged to Richmond.

Next Up:
Ealing AWAY 3pm KO followed by Chinnor vs Coventry on the 18th October 3pm KO