**Chinnor 26 Ealing Trailfinders 43**

Chinnor opened their Elior Champ Rugby campaign with plenty to build on, even if Ealing Trailfinders experience proved decisive on a muggy afternoon in South Oxfordshire in front of 1,311 supporters.

The visitors made the fast start. Fionn Gibbons opened the scoring out wide on 12 minutes, Bobby De Wee was bundled over eight minutes later, and further scores from Sam Grahamslaw and Jarrod Taylor either side of the half-hour put Ealing firmly in control. Alun Walker's burrowed finish on 35 minutes gave the home crowd something to shout about, but Toby Cousins struck on the stroke of half time to leave Chinnor 24 points adrift at the break.

Whatever was said in the changing room worked. Will Cave and Morgan Passman crossed within three minutes of each other shortly after the restart, both converted by Chamberlain, and suddenly a 24-point gap had become 10. Hayden Hyde's try on 64 eased Ealing's nerves, but Richie Simpson's score with nine minutes left kept Chinnor honest until Hyde's second in the closing stages settled it.

The stats tell the story of where the work lies. Thirteen penalties conceded to Ealing's nine gave the visitors easy territory, and a scrum count of 6-1 in their favour meant too much ball was surrendered at source. Nine lineouts won from twelve is a solid platform to build from.

There were real positives. Four tries against one of the division's benchmark sides is no small return, the pack stood up well in the loose, and the second-half response — 21 points in 36 minutes — showed a side that does not fold. For a squad with new faces and a new season's rhythm still to find, that is a promising place to start.

The reward for all this is another huge test. Bedford at Goldington Road next weekend is as demanding a second fixture as the fixture list could have thrown up, and Chinnor will need to cut out the penalty count and secure their own scrum ball if they are to take something from it. On the evidence of the second half, they will not lack for appetite.

Report by Mo Sher (The Rugby Paper)

Chinnor Player of the Match - Ramaz Rukhadze
Next Home Match - Round 4 vs Richmond Saturday 10th October 3pm kick off.
Tickets Available Now - https://chinnor-rfc.ticketco.shop/