Chinnor did well to maintain their current run of success in overcoming a competitive and energetic Exmouth side and the Atlantic squall that hit the first half.

With Harry Jackman ill, Nick Harrison came into the back row and Max Williams, after so long out with injury, made a welcome return to the team.

Chinnor scored the first try of the day in the 7th minute when, with simple ball speedily worked across the backs from a lineout, Chase dotted down in the corner. Cathcart did well to convert from the touchline as the rain and wind began to swirl. Exmouth began to take the game to Chinnor and a promising midfield move led to their first score when Chinnor’s full back Henry Colver was yellow carded for not releasing. Andrew Powell for Exmouth slotted the penalty goal to reduce Chinnor’s lead to 7-3.

On the 18th minute, Cathcart chipped over the defence and Corpe, speedily following up, grounded the ball but the referee, mysteriously, adjudged the ball knocked on. The rest of the half was subjected to mid Atlantic storm weather with horizontal rain and fierce gusting across the pitch. Chinnor managed the conditions the better, keeping play in the Exmouth half – much to do with some tactically astute short and long kicking from Cathcart.

Stoop manufactured Chinnor’s second try on the 30th minute with a perfectly executed short cross-field kick. Chase’s speed got him there ahead of the defence for a clever try and a 12-3 lead. As the half drew to a close, Cathcart sent through a well weighted short kick for Stoop who was illegally prevented from taking advantage. From the resultant penalty goal, Cathcart sent Chinnor in 15-3 ahead at the break.

Chinnor’s half time cup of tea was most restorative as they tore out of the blocks for the second half. A series of attacks saw a ruck a few metres out from Exmouth’s corner. Rapid ball across the field found the galloping Gilbert who cruised over for Chinnor’s third try in the 45th minute and a 20-3 lead for Chinnor. Exmouth continued to battle well with fly half Powell jinking dangerously in midfield to test the home defence several times.

The highlight of the match came in the 57th minute when Matthew Goode received an innocuous pass in his own half. Dazzling footwork left three defenders grasping air as Goode sashayed his way to the line for Chinnor’s bonus point try and a 27-3 lead, courtesy of Cathcart’s conversion. Exmouth continued to take the match to Chinnor and were determined to decrease the lead, whilst Chinnor were determined to defend it. Cathcart’s penalty goal on the 66th minute moved Chinnor ahead to 30-3.

In the 74th minute, Chinnor elected to take a scrum penalty and drove the visitors back enough for Gilbert at No 8 to touch down for Chinnor’s fifth try and a final score of 35-3. This score was a double blow for Exmouth as their fly half and most influential player, Powell, was red carded immediately after the score was awarded for some form of verbal offence.

Exmouth proved to be very determined and energetic but came up against a side who were well organised and masters of the difficult weather conditions. The Chinnor pack was defensively sound and did much to blunt their opponent’s energetic attacks, with the back row everywhere. Cathcart’s shrewd use of the boot was exemplary. Stoop’s passing was precision personified but Goode’s wonder try was just pure theatre.

Scorers:
Chinnor: Chase 2T; Gilbert 2T; Goode T; Cathcart 2C, 2PG
Exmouth: Powell PG

Chinnor team:
Colver, Chase, Goode, Stoop, Corpe (Gray 58), Cathcart, Jones, Winpenny (Whelan 63), Tattersall, Pickett, Mowbray, Smith, Harrison (Williams 58), Waddingham, Gilbert
Replacements: Whelan, Williams, Gray