Video of this game is available at https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/?section=videos_photos_view&video_id=1364

Macclesfield, currently lying 4th in National 3 North fielded twelve 1st team and three 2nd team players. Chinnor, conversely, lying 12th in National League 3 South, fielded twelve 2nd team and three 1st team players. Despite many opportunities to win, Chinnor narrowly failed with their adventurous selection policy, going down 13-17.

The game started brightly with Chinnor receiving the kick off and putting together 4 minutes of continuous and speedy action which brought them to the visitor’s 22. Pressure on Macclesfield was only relieved when the referee whistled for Chinnor holding on. Macclesfield, however, opened the scoring with a penalty goal from their fly half, Ross Winney on 10 minutes. Macclesfield increased their lead 12 minutes later when, following a powerful Macclesfield scrum, open side Chris Jones touched down for Winney to convert to give Macclesfield a 10-0 score.

Newly available Angus Neilson then opened Chinnor’s account a few minutes later when the alert Bob Baker took a quick tap penalty to release Neilson to canter over for a try. Chinnor were showing that they were beginning to get the measure of their opponents with adventurous attacking, often led by Alex Wallace in the unfamiliar position of fly half. However, all of Chinnor’s good work was undone seconds before half time when a speculative Macclesfield kick ahead was palmed by a Chinnor hand into the arms of the speedy Macclesfield left winger Josh Fowles. Fowles slipped the ball to Robert McDermott who, avoiding some weak tackling from Chinnor, scored in the corner. The try was converted by Winney. Half time came with Macclesfield leading 17-5.

The second half went mostly Chinnor’s way with Macclesfield failing to add to their half time score. Joe Robinson slotted a penalty goal for Chinnor in the 49th minute. Turning over a Macclesfield scrum, Chinnor worked the ball to replacement Harry Hillier who could not grasp the low ball, with the undefended line beckoning. Neilson, clearly relishing his return to rugby, added a try to Chinnor’s score to give a final match score of 13-17 in favour of Macclesfield.

Macclesfield relied on a forward game which showed good set piece at scrum and line out and did just enough to win. Chinnor’s 2s were clearly a match for their visitors and had they taken all their kicks, as Macclesfield had done, they would have added a winning 7 points to their score. Added to the dropped ball with a clear line beckoning, Chinnor had ample opportunities to win this match. However, coach Jason Bowers was clear in his commitment in an interview before the match with the Oxford Mail: “It is about giving the squad a game,” said Bowers, who opted for similar tactics in Chinnor’s first-round victory over Lydney.
“It is a good opportunity to give players a rest and try people in different positions as well.”

Ed Rixon was a rock in shoring up a Chinnor scrum that waxed and waned all match. Alex Wallace stood out for his incisive running and smart decision making. The bravery of the selection choice was vindicated and, with a rub of the green, Chinnor in the guise of their second team could well have entered the next round of the cup. It all shows what a competitive squad is available to both teams.

Scorers: Chinnor Neilson (2 tries), Robinson (pen goal) Macclesfield: Jones (try), McDermott (try), Winney (pen goal, 2 conv)

More photos from the match can be found by clicking the link below:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/?section=videos_photos_view&album_id=6827