CHINNOR were left to reflect on another tough defeat as Plymouth Albion completed a fine comeback at Kingsey Road.

Leading 22-15 with 12 minutes remaining, we looked on course for a much-needed victory but, of course, seven points is nothing in rugby union – especially with a strong wind to contend with.

Plymouth levelled and then led by three points. Even at 22-25, we looked in a strong position to come out on top, but unfortunately a combination of our own errors and the visitors’ dogged defence put an end to our hopes.

We had been pushing for five points, but Phil Jones’ try in the last play turned it completely around. Instead, Albion headed back to Devon with a bonus-point victory and, despite the improved performance, we were left with nothing.

The league table does not lie – we sit third from bottom after six games with eight points – but we must stick together and work through this. This performance was an improvement on two weeks ago at Leeds Tykes and while that only adds to the frustration at the result, we can only get our heads down and focus on the next job at Taunton Titans next Saturday.

Among the positives was another man-of-the-match display by No 8 Willie Ryan, while Conor Brockschmidt shone at openside flanker, and Greg Goodfellow and Jack Walsh struck up a strong half-back pairing.

Eight changes – two positional – were made from the defeat up in Yorkshire a fortnight ago. One was forced with captain Ben Manning injuring his ankle in training on Thursday and replaced by Alfie North. There were also starts for Bradley Harewood, Charley Robinson, Oli Curry, Dean Hammond and Will Feeney, with Brockschmidt moving into the back row and Lewis Jones to outside centre.

A positive start was rewarded with a third-minute lead. A strong chase at the kick-off put Albion under pressure, before Brockschmidt carried well through the middle. Referee Dr Jonathan Cook awarded a penalty for an infringement on the ground and fly-half Tom Price slotted it for 3-0.

Both sides went to the boot early on to win the battle for territory, but defences were on top. After we had defended an early Plymouth attack, the visitors recovered well close to their own line following a sublime offload from full-back Nick Smith which released Price and then wing Jason Worrall.

Albion’s first real chance arrived on 16 minutes and they took it. A penalty in our half allowed fly-half Tom Putt to kick to the corner and the driving maul was unstoppable, with hooker Jamie Salter plunging over. Putt added the extras to give the visitors a 7-3 lead.

By now we were forced into an early change and reshuffle, with Price limping off. This saw Walsh move to 10 and Goodfellow come on at scrum-half for his 93rd Chinnor cap.

Plymouth looked to add to their score straight away, but successive penalties allowed us to move back up the pitch courtesy of Feeney’s monster left boot and this time, we took our chance. We got out attack going off quick ball off the top of the lineout and Worrall burst through the middle of the field. Ryan then carried well as we found ourselves metres from the line, before lock Curry scored from close range. Smith superbly converted from out wide as we put ourselves 10-7 in front.

However, once again, Albion’s driving maul was to prove effective and led to them retaking the lead. This time we managed to stop it just short of the whitewash, but scrum-half Jack Oulton sniped over for an unconverted try.

We now trailed 10-12 with five minutes of the half remaining, but we came back at our opponents and responded before the break. We piled on the pressure and it took its toll, with tighthead Josh McNulty forcing his way over and Smith adding the conversion for a 17-12 lead.

We were good value for it, and it had been a fantastic half of rugby, but with the wind no longer in our favour, was it enough?

A Putt penalty cut our lead to three, but a Plymouth error allowed us to launch an attack moments later. Oulton kicked out on the full on the 22 and although our maul was stopped, we played out well. Our forwards carried with purpose and when the space opened up out wide we used it, feeding Worrall who dived over for his sixth try of the season. Smith’s conversion attempt was blown off course by the wind, but we had re-established our seven-point advantage.

Errors, replacements, injuries and scrum resets went on to disrupt the match, but we looked to be in a good place and had stood up to everything Albion had thrown at us in the second half.

However, when a gap appeared in our defence on 68 minutes, they exploited it. Their probing paid off, as loosehead Ramaz Rukhadze powered through and could not be stopped on his way over the line. Putt converted and the match was now level at 22-all.

The momentum was now with Plymouth and Putt slotted a penalty as they opened up a 22-25 lead with ten minutes to go.

There was no need to panic, there was still plenty of time and we went in search of our reply. Goodfellow got us going forward, with a trademark show-and-go followed by an offload which led to Worrall racing down the left only to be stopped a few metres short.

Albion were penalised at the breakdown and we attacked quickly off the scrum, Goodfellow popping a nice inside ball to Hammond who broke the gain line. From there, our forwards got involved, picking and going, forcing Plymouth back, but credit to the visitors as it began to get messy, they defended it well and forced the error as we found ourselves within five metres and right under the posts.

Undeterred, we launched another attack and when the visitors were penalised on the floor, it seemed like this was going to be our moment as Feeney kicked to the corner. Lock James Down collected the lineout, but almost instantly the whistle blew and we were pinged for crossing.

A hammer blow, but the fatal strike occurred moments later. We launched one final attack just inside the Plymouth half after stealing their lineout, only for the visitors to reclaim possession and counter. The ball was kicked forward down the left-hand side and Jones gave chase, collected and scored to the delight of the Albion bench and supporters.

That score not only earnt them the four-try bonus point and made certain of victory, but ensured we finished the 80 minutes empty-handed.

Another frustrating afternoon, but we stay positive, stay together and go again.

Chinnor: Smith, Worrall, Jones, Feeney, Hammond, Price, Walsh, Harewood, Robinson, McNulty, Down, Curry, Brockschmidt, North, Ryan.
Reps: Brabham, Marshall, Heathman, Hodson, Goodfellow.

Plymouth Albion: Jones, Speare, White, To’a, Nowell, Putt, Oulton, Rukhadze, Salter, Pullinger, Collier, Clemson, Hodges, Mills, Clarke.
Reps: Petty, Pearce-Cowley, Sheriff, Stupple, Clement.