After a difficult first half, Chinnor scored four tries in the second half to beat Coney Hill in Gloucester by 42-12.

With Chinnor’s injury toll still on the rise, Chinnor brought in Ed Rixon at No 8, Ed Devine at lock with Sam Ludgate and Sam Blewitt on the bench.

Chinnor started the match brightly and for the first 20 minutes dominated territory and possession. However, determined defence from Coney Hill prevented Chinnor scoring points. In fact, the first score of the match went to Coney Hill who, with exemplary offloading in the tackle manoeuvred blindside flanker Andy Macrae to 20 metres out from the Chinnor line. Running straight and shrugging off tacklers, he scored under the posts and, with Rory Baker’s conversion, the home side went 7-0 up in the 20th minute.

A promising Chinnor attack 30 minutes into the match was halted by some illegal holding back from Coney Hill’s left wing Jamie Cole. Ref Matt O’Grady yellow carded Cole for the offence. Chinnor immediately took advantage when Huw Morgan finished off a sweeping backs move to dot down in the corner. Goode’s conversion put the match level at 7-7. Minutes later, Goode scored from two penalty goals to put Chinnor 13-7 ahead at the break.

The second half started similarly to the first with Coney Hill first to score. A classy break from Baker and skilful interpassing saw Coney Hill’s Danny Davis over in the corner to bring the score back to 12-13.

As Chinnor pressed for their next score, Coney Hill’s Steve Griffin was yellow carded for going over the top at a ruck. Two minutes later, on the 54th minute, Goode slotted a penalty goal. In the 58th minute, Hopwood, now playing at full back, sliced through the home defence from 35m out. He was hauled down inches from the try line but quick support from Harry Jackman saw him score under the posts. With Goode’s conversion, Chinnor were now 23-12 ahead. Goode himself scored two minutes later creating a hole that didn’t exist until his muscular approach.

Hopwood again sliced through the home defence to score under the posts to leave the conversion a formality. Goode obliged and Chinnor were now 35-12 ahead. In the 79th minute, Williams intercepted a Coney Hill pass to trot to the posts. Goode’s conversion signalled the end of the match with a 42-12 victory to Chinnor.

Coney Hill proved to be tough opponents and, at times, showed some deft handling skills. Their second yellow card proved costly as Chinnor scored 15 points during the time served.

Chinnor spent the first half in a battle with the home side. In the second half, moving the ball wide proved a more successful game plan. Ricky Hopwood, first at scrum half and then at full back, had a towering game. Goode as makeshift kicker did well in scoring 22 points. Ed Rixon stood out for his strength in both defence and attack. He was immovable when tackling and unstoppable when carrying the ball.

Scorers:
Coney Hill: Macrae T; Davis T; Baker C
Chinnor: Morgan T; Jackman T; Goode T, 4C, 3PG, Hopwood T; Williams T

Chinnor team: Williams (Prescott 47), Corpe, Goode, Angell (Prescott 48), Morgan, Chase, Hopwood, Stock (Ludgate 78), Tattersall, Winpenny, Devine, Smith, Jackman, Hastings (Blewitt 52), Rixon
Replacements: Ludgate, Blewitt, Prescott