CHINNOR were unable to enjoy derby delight under the lights as Rams proved too strong at Old Bath Road.

Once again, the sides shared more than 80 points, with 13 tries scored on a night which would have excited the home supporters and the neutrals watching on National League Rugby’s live stream.

However, for those in the Chinnor camp the opening 40 minutes was an uncomfortable watch as Rams just simply dominated. At 36-14 down at half-time, there was still a little life left in the contest and when we cut that lead to 15 points after 45 minutes, there was hope.

But when tighthead James Baker stormed through, evading a couple of tackles, to send Ollie Cole over under the sticks, the writing was well and truly on the wall. What followed was a gritty showing from the players who, although obviously beaten, were determined to come away with something. We refused to give in, finishing the evening with five tries and taking a bonus point back with us to Thame.

We had all travelled to Berkshire in hope of a first victory at Rams in more than five years, but we came up against a well-oiled relentless machine full of high intensity and aggression – they are top of National 1 for a reason.

A sobering experience for us perhaps after a positive run so far under Director of Rugby, Nick Easter, but we must credit the players for the character they showed on a tough evening.

Three changes were made to the side which started the home victory over Bishop’s Stortford six days previously, with Reece Marshall, Morgan Eames and Grant Hughes coming into the side.

The players emerged from the changing rooms through a tunnel of U11s from both clubs, who had entertained the crowd with a thrilling game of their own pre-match, and our First XV started strongly, deservedly opening the scoring on five minutes. The ever-impressive Willie Ryan ran hard off the back of a lineout and when we recycled across the pitch, Rams were defending on their own try-line. Tighthead Elliot Millar-Mills went close, and when the ball was back in the hands of Ryan there was no stopping the No 8 from close range. Full-back Nick Smith added the extras and we were 7-0 up.

However, that fast start was about to be wiped out by a rampant Rams side who would enjoy an impressive 25-minute spell virtually camped in our half.

With ten minutes on the clock, the hosts had already scored twice. Centre Ellis Jones found his way over, before he intercepted a pass just inside our half and sent Axel Kalling-Smith cruising over the whitewash. Fly-half Will Partington added the extras for a 14-7 lead.

There was no need to panic, but we just couldn’t get going, while Rams were relentless. Multiple breakdown offences led to a yellow card for Ryan and we conceded again while down to 14. Despite an impressive defensive effort, it seemed a matter of time before the home side would find a gap and scrum-half Cole dived over for an unconverted try to make it 19-7 after 16 minutes.

Old Bath Road was in an excitable mood by now, but the boys continued to dig in defensively with openside flanker Max Heathman leading the way with an impressive turnover. The pressure was relentless, though, and the home side secured the four-try bonus point with 26 minutes on the clock. Twice they went close following a driving lineout, but there was space on the other side of the pitch and wing Zach Clow impressively chased down Partington’s kick to touch down just as the ball looked like it was going dead.

At 24-7 down we needed to get into this game and we did enjoy a good spell with the ball in hand which resulted in back-to-back penalties and fly-half Will Feeney – who kicked well all evening – sending us into the corner. From there our maul rumbled forward and replacement hooker Charley Robinson plunged over. Smith slotted a lovely conversion from the left and, despite being under the cosh for so long, we were back in the game with only ten points in it at 24-14.

However, Rams were to finish the half on top and score twice more before the break. Tighthead Baker drove over from close range, before Clow produced another fine finish from his left wing as we headed into the interval, 36-14 behind.

Trailing by 22 points was far from ideal, but you never know in this wonderful game, and we started the second half so much better.

A fine kick from Feeney sent us down over the 22 and although we were mauled into touch, we soon launched another attack which led to our third try. Right wing Kieran Goss carried well and the forward momentum continued with a lovely offload to Dean Hammond. Ryan then took over to charge through and there was no stopping him from scoring his second of the evening. Smith added the extras and the deficit was now 15.

Ok, game on, and superb 50-22s from Feeney and Smith had Rams pinned deep in their half on two occasions, but on their first foray into our territory, they dealt us a hammer blow. Tighthead Baker first showed fine feet 40m out and then a superb turn of pace to charge through and create a two-on-one for Cole to score under the posts. Partington converted and Rams now led 43-21 – a hammer blow and it was definitely game over now.

More Rams pressure followed and we were again down to 14 with lock James Down sent to the sin-bin. We resisted a series of attacks, but on 63 minutes they scored their eighth of the evening with hooker Max Hayman diving over. Partington again added the extras and the scoreboard read 50-21.

We still had 17 minutes to play and, although the match had gone, the players refused to lie down as they gritted their teeth and went in search of a point.

A strong chase from the kick-off provided us with the platform to attack immediately and we were denied an opportunity to reduce the deficit on 68 minutes, pinged for obstruction after Ryan had again carried hard and Smith cut inside towards the posts.

No matter, we kept on going. Scrum-half Luke Carter sent a fine kick into the corner and all Rams could do was boot it out of play deep in their half as Goss hunted it down.

Rams defended the maul well, but we played across the pitch and there was a bit of a space on the left which replacement wing Josh Hodson exploited to score superbly in the corner. The try went unconverted, but that was our four-try bonus point in the bag with nine minutes to go.

Yes, the game had gone, but it was all Chinnor now and Feeney’s monster boot continued to pin the home side back in their half and present us with opportunities. Three minutes from time and we were over again, with Robinson crashing over at the back of a driving lineout, taking us to 31 points and ending the scoring.

Look, we will always be as fair as we can in our reports and we fully accept that this was a disappointing night. However, the way the team battled, especially in the second half, is a credit to their character and let us grip hold of that as we turn our attention to Taunton Titans at home next Saturday.

Rams: Bird, Kalling-Smith, Jones, Hayhow, Clow, Partington, Cole; Marris, Hayman, Baker, Taylor, Swain, Collis, Everitt, R Stapley.
Reps: Moffitt, Englezos, C Stapley, Allan, Grundy.

Chinnor: Smith, Goss, Hughes, Blakemore, Hammond, Feeney, Carter; Lines, Marshall, Millar-Mills, Down, Eames, Manning, Heathman, Ryan.
Reps: Robinson, McNulty, North, Hodson, Goodfellow.