In a fitful and injury riven match, Chinnor eventually prevailed against their Berkshire opponents Redingensians by 22 points to 10, thanks to three tries from centre Matt Goode.

Right from the kick off, Chinnor had to rely on their defensive game against an attacking Redingensians side who had most use of the ball. However, the first score of the match came from a rare foray into Redingensians half when Matt Goode slipped around the blind side to open Chinnor’s account. With a touchline conversion from Hewitt, Chinnor were 7-0 up with 12 minutes played. In the 20th minute, Chinnor lost their first player of the day to injury when No 8 Mowbray limped off to be replaced by Adam Hastings. With Jackman moving to the No 8 position, Chinnor began to gain greater mobility and involvement in the match. Immediately after the substitution, Chinnor were down to 14 when hooker Tattersall was adjudged to have killed the ball. The resultant penalty attempt from debutant ‘Gensians fly half De Jager from in front of the posts, might have hit the corner flag if it had travelled any distance at all.

However, Redingensians kept up their attack on the Chinnor line and, on the 23rd minute, tight head Baker barrelled over for their first try. The conversion attempt from de Jager was wide of the mark. In a promising counter attack, Stoop went down heavily and was stretchered from the field. Shortly afterwards, Chinnor’s pressure led to a successful penalty goal from Hewitt to give Chinnor a 10-5 lead going into half time.

Shortly after the restart, Chinnor’s Powell, on for the injured Stoop, caused the referee to reach for the yellow card to reduce Chinnor again to 14. Seizing the one man advantage, Gensians, from a rolling maul, scored their second try with Castell scoring. The kick was again missed and the hapless de Jager was immediately replaced by Brown. With the match tied at 10-10, Pickett then went off with knee trouble to be replaced by Stock. A poorly thrown pass from Gensians was chased by Goode whose harrying caused both Redingensians defenders to fumble the loose ball allowing Goode to casually pick up the ball and dot it down for his, and Chinnor’s, second try. The conversion was missed and Chinnor led 15-10.

Redingensians continued to attack but Goode ruined their day with a late try when his break through the centre and his strength in carrying himself and two defenders over the line earned him his hat trick. With Hewitt’s conversion, the days scoring was finished with Chinnor winning 22-10.

Redingensians will rue their handling errors and their lack of a place kicker and will trouble many other sides this season. Only some last ditch tackles prevented further scores for them – but Chinnor can tackle well at times.

Chinnor had another bits and pieces game with limited possession of the ball. Jackman on his move to No 8 cleared up a lot of wayward ball and created several turnovers. Tattersall after his long lay off is getting back to his best and was defensively strong. Well done to Joe Winpenny who was needed to play all three front row positions during the game. The star was undoubtedly Matt Goode whose speedy and muscular determination brought home the goods for Chinnor. Hopefully, all parts will click soon but winning ugly will have to do for now.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Goode 3T; Hewitt 2C, 1PG
Redingensians: Baker T; Castell T

Chinnor team: Williams, Corpe, Goode, Stoop (Powell 30), Serrano, Hewitt, Hopwood, Winpenny, Tattersall, Pickett (Stock 47), Hutchings, Smith, Jackman (Hastings 67), Harrison, Mowbray (Hastings 20)
Replacements: Stock, Hastings, Powell