Video highlights of this semi-final victory against Quins are at:
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/?section=videos_photos_view&video_id=6808

Chinnor visit to Oxford Harlequins for the Oxfordshire Cup semi-final arrived with "The Villagers" wishing to avenge the two league defeats earlier in the season.

With Sam Jones called up for yet another England game, Chinnor made some last minute changes bringing in Tom Mowbray & Ben Hewitt who overcame his injury from last week to return to the No 10. spot.

The sun was shining through the volcano dust which had resulted in a number of "The Villagers" receiving updates via SMS and Twitter as they were stuck in New York & Poland.

The game kicked off with Chinnor playing down the slope towards the infamous Quins corner. For the first 20 minutes it seemed that Quins couldn't get into the Chinnor half as the forwards exerted significant pressure on the Quins pack keeping them pinned down in their own 25.

Joe Pickett with most of the Chinnor pack went close at 20 minutes, but were judged to be held up by the referee. Similarly, Matt Hutchings went close after a rolling maul from the dominant Chinnor pack, but lost the ball just as he went over the line.

Quins came back and started to get into the game a little, but whenever pressure was applied Chinnor managed to clear their lines with more hard graft from the forwards or clever positional kicks which took Quins back to the corner. This tactic finally paid off when Chinnor were awarded a penalty which was converted, somewhat tentatively, by Hewitt. A second penalty came quickly afterwards again converted by Hewitt.

On 30 minutes, a Chinnor scrum in the midfield resulted in the first try for Chinnor. A deft kick through from Sam Stoop at the half way line was picked up by Ben Farr who beat the defender and switched the pass inside to Richie Williams who went in under the posts. Hewitt converted.

At the end of the half, Max Williams made a break but was just unable to make the pass to hand.

Quins came out for the 2nd half with increased energy which resulted in long periods with Chinnor under pressure in their own 25. Eventually, the referee decided that he needed to assert his authority against the climbing number of infringements at the breakdown and Gilbert was given a yellow card.

While Gilbert was in the bin, Sam Stoop also joined him for an infringement which left Chinnor facing a big task with only 13 men on the field. The saving grace was the referee had also placed one of the Quins players in the bin during the same period.

The war of attrition continued in mid field until both sides were back to full strength. But not for long as Gilbert was adjudged to have taxed the ref's patience again and he was yellow carded for the 2nd time.

This galvanized Chinnor's approach and they withstood the continued pressure from Quins. Another break from Ben Farr on 55 minutes looked as though it would be the try to seal the game, but the pass to Sam Stoop was erratic and went to ground.

Chinnor supporters were beginning to wonder if it would be the same old story, until from a Quins scrum and period of Quins play, Harry Jackman found the ball at his feet. A deft sidestep resulted in a gap opening up and he broke through 2 tackles to slip the ball to Sam Stoop who ran for 30 metres to go under the posts for Chinnor's second try which was converted by Cathcart (on for the injured Hewitt).

Quins could see the game slipping away from them and so the pressure to gain hold of the ball increased in the latter part of the game. This resulted in two easy penalty kicks which were successful from Cathcart; one of the so high in the sky we are sure the ball came down with some volcanic ash on it.

The game was won, but a consolation try was gained by Quins in the last few minutes.

Chinnor played this game in a controlled manner which has been seen on occasions this season, but never against such quality opposition. The control by the forwards when it was needed was good and the backs were always dangerous either from the boot or from running lines.

The final awaits on 25th April against Witney at Iffley Road - maybe this year Chinnor will be crowned Oxfordshire Champions 2010 - only time will tell.

COME ON THE VILLAGERS!