In a titanic battle in front of the biggest Championship crowd in 10 years Chinnor produced a storming performance to be the first team to win at Worcester Warriors this season. Chinnor made it 3 5 point wins in succession to round off the year in scintillating form and firmly place themselves in play off contention at the half way point of the season. Again showing remarkable resilience Chinnor bounced back on several occasions from seemingly big blows and the foundation of their set piece dominance gave them the belief to continually take the game to their illustrious opponents.

The game started in similar fashion to Ealing back in October when the dangerous Warriors number 8 Kareem pounced on the loose ball from a towering kick and raced in unopposed under the sticks to score in 11 seconds. Chinnor showed their metal to shake off this early
Setback and used good set piece possession to build territory and put the Warriors under the pump. A driving maul was steered expertly by the influential Alun Walker, who would turn into the Warriors crowd pantomime villain with his many impactful interventions. 7-5 after 13 minutes

Chinnor were now posing a big threat to Warrior’s lineout and after a steal they attacked from turnover down the right with Toby Cousins making yards , followed by a big bust from James Bourton who fed Sam Hanks who was dragged down inches from the line. Some illegal desperate defending meant Chinnor had a penalty and kicked to the corner and this time it was Harry Dugmore who got over the whitewash for Chinnor to take the lead 7-10.

Back came Worcester after the visitors were reduced to 14 with a Dugmore early tackle. Warriors showed their lethal back 3 when a kick was returned 80 metres from a move involving González and Trewin saw Garside score his first of a brace, 14-10. Warriors made the most of their numerical advantage to increase their lead on 33 minutes with a close range effort from Jeanes, 19-10.

Chinnor now dug deep and managed to cut the lead on the stroke of half time when Will Cave finished off a fine attacking move and with Nathan Chamberlain converting it was now, 19 -17 The game had swayed to and fro throughout the first stanza when it looked like both teams were establishing dominance before the opposition hit back.

The second half started with a bang with this time Chinnor attacking from the off with a storming run from Cave as he barrelled though several defenders to take play to 5 metres. Chinnor went wide and Hanks was on hand to continue his fine try scoring form and Chinnor had retaken the lead, 19-22.

Warriors hit back immediately and retook the lead with a classy finish from Garside from a line out set play, 26-22 after 46 minutes. The game continued to be played at breakneck speed and after a typical Luke Carter break Chinnor had the chance to kick deep again. Jamie Campbell again soared highest and from the drive Walker was over for his second much to the delight of the vociferous away support , 26-27 on 51 minutes.

Remarkably that was the end of the scoring after 9 tries in just 51 minutes but the excitement grew to almost unbearable levels. Chinnor seemed to have scored again when Calum Pascoe and Walker combined cleverly to send Kieron Goss down the left, he was inches from the line when tackled and seemed to have reached and scored but it was not given. The pace and intensity was having it’s effect and Chinnor played the last 5 minutes with 4 hookers on the pitch and with Cam Rafferty defending at 10. But the impact and physicality of Moore and Stokes added to Chinnor’s immense defence. Warriors were throwing the kitchen sink and looked dangerous from deep but even when they managed to break and looking likely to score a superb covering tackle from Cousins snuffed the danger and Chinnor managed to see out the dying moments and secure a remarkable, famous win.

Nick Easter “ fantastic effort to back up the win last week, we learnt from the festive period last year and improved. A game of high quality and our belief and resilience were first class. Our front five were again magnificent and a great effort from the 3 who performed the full 80 minutes”

Chinnor - Owen, Walker, Hardwick, Brocksmidt, Campbell, Dugmore, Cave, Hall, Carter (c) , Chamberlain, Goss, Bourton, Hanks, Cousins, Smith

Replacements_ Porter, Rukhadze, Thompson, Moore, Rafferty, Stokes, Pascoe, Watson

Tries- Walker x2, Dugmore, Cave, Hanks
Con- Chamberlain