CHINNOR produced a performance full of intensity and grit to narrowly beat Blackheath on the road in their final pre-season game.

Well Hall is always a difficult place to come and get a result and our First XV built on last week’s run out against Carmarthen Quins to head into the National League 1 season with an important win against a third-tier counterpart under their belts.

It proved to be a tale of two halves, with Chinnor dominating the opening 40 minutes to head into the break with a 14-0 lead, thanks to a Max Clementson score and a penalty try.

James Davies’ try extended our advantage to 19 unanswered points within four minutes of the second period, but Blackheath grew into the game and with two players in the sin-bin we found ourselves under the cosh.

In a game which included five yellow cards, the hosts made the most of their numerical advantage to set up a nervy finish, however we dug deep to see the game out.

Willie Ryan impressed on his return, partnering Conor Brockschmidt at lock, while Luke Carter and captain on the night Nick Smith produced excellent performances as they continue to form their half-back partnership.

Director of Rugby, Richard Thorpe made six changes, one positional, from the side which started the first half against Carmarthen. Oscar Heath switched to full-back, with Davies and Ollie Smith starting on either wing. In the forwards, Rob Hardwick lined up at tighthead, with Ryan and Clementson also coming into the side.

The majority of the bench were also given valuable game time as the season fast approaches, offering a few selection headaches heading into next weekend’s fixture at home to Sale.

Chinnor headed into the game without a number of senior players due to injury and the sides sized each other up in the opening stages. However, our intensity and impressive line speed began to force errors and earn territorial advantage.

There were chances for Chinnor and in the 16th minute they brilliantly exploited space down the left to make up a good 25 metres. The ball was swept to the right and we found ourselves just five metres short, but a promising move was cut short with an infringement at the ruck.

We didn’t have to wait too much longer to deservedly take the lead. James Newey kicked out on the full to allow us field position and Blackheath were then penalised at the resulting scrum. We made the most of the opportunity, driving off the subsequent lineout which led to openside flanker Clementson forcing his way over, fly-half Smith converting from out wide, to make it 7-0 after 21 minutes.

We kept our foot on the gas, wearing Blackheath down as we dominated the rest of the half. Brockschmidt and Soane Tonga’uiha were held up – the latter opportunity stemming from a brilliant break from No 8 Fred Tuilagi.

By now the penalty count was increasing and the hosts found themselves down to 13 men with Tom Stradwick and Jack Daly sent to the bin.

The pressure and numerical advantage took its toll as a penalty try was awarded as we drove for the line. We now had a 14-0 lead, with Blackheath down to 12 as Newey became the third player to be shown yellow.

Despite having three men in the bin, the home side went on to finish the half strongly, but brilliant defensive work on our own try-line kept them out as we headed into the break with a 14-point lead.

With players still in the sin-bin, Chinnor looked to extend their advantage early after the break. Smith fielded a kick straight down the middle of the pitch from his opposite number and raced through a number of tackles to find Brockschmidt on the 22. He then sent Clementson charging over under the posts, but we were penalised for what looked to be crossing.

Just a couple of minutes later, we extended our advantage to 19 unanswered points. A quick tap-penalty from Tuilagi put us back on the front foot and Smith threw a wonderful pass out to Davies who raced over in the left corner for an unconverted try.

Blackheath’s response was good and they began to get a foothold in the game as they now had 15 players back on the pitch.

By now the penalty count was racking up against Chinnor and it seemed only a matter of time before yellow cards were brandished. Ryan Lomas had only been on the pitch for a couple of minutes before he was binned and Ethan Thiart came on for the resulting scrum, only for a penalty try to be awarded and the young prop was the next player to have ten minutes on the sideline.

It was all Blackheath now as it was their turn to make the extra men count. Harry Holland dived over out wide with the hosts attacking the space on the blind following a catch and drive.

And with ten minutes to go, they crossed again, Holland touching down for his second, but crucially the conversion was missed as we still led, albeit by only two points.

Chinnor now had to dig deep to stop the hosts, roared on by their supporters under the lights, completing the comeback.

We went on to enjoy possession deep in Blackheath’s half, but we were unable to find another score to put the game out of sight.

The hosts still had time to claim victory, but we stood firm, defending well on our own 22, to clinch a valuable win over one of our league counterparts as we now build towards next weekend’s season-opener.

Chinnor: Heath, O Smith, Grose, Bourton, Davies, N Smith, Carter, Tonga’uiha, Fleckney, Hardwick, W Ryan, Brockschmidt, North, Clementson, Tuilagi.
Reps: Lines, Cornish, Lomas, Thiart, Gilbert, Wilkinson, Thomas, Walsh, Ham, Titherington, Revill, Titchener, Wilson.