This was a game that Chinnor could have won.
They were awarded 5 kickable penalties in the first half, attempted just the one, the most difficult from the half-way line, which struck the post and rebounded back into play,and then ignored the other 4 on offer. Recognising that Henley had built up a 19 point at the end of the first 40 minutes, had they chipped away at this lead during this period they could have gone in with a deficit of just 7 or 10 points. The irony here is that in James Cathcart they have possibly the most dynamic place kicker in the league.

Back to the facts. Chinnor put themselves in immediate pressure when their kick-off went directly into touch thus giving Henley an instant advantage. With Chinnor then unable to get their hands on the ball in the ensuring 5 minutes, it was no surprise when giant prop Glyn Hoosen-Owen forced his way over from short range with Turner adding the conversion. Chinnor then came back into the game when they were awarded a penalty and from long range and Cathcart hit the post. With Henley snapping up a loose ball from a Chinnor handling mistake in the middle of the park, the ball was quickly transferred to Neil Baggert who ran over unopposed, Turner adding the extra points. With Tattersall scampering over for a try after some good foraging work by Payne, this being interspersed with Chinnor's reluctance to take the easy option and go for goal when the opportunity arose, Henley took a comfortable lead into the changing rooms at half-time.

Although Henley went further ahead via a Turner penalty, it was then all Chinnor. After prolonged pressure, Chinnor created a big overlap and Trevor Powell went over under the posts, with Cathcart converting. During this period Chinnor brought on Arthur Ellis at hooker for his first game in Chinnor colours and Toby Prescott replaced Chris Rowley at scrum-half. With play now predominantly in the Henley half and after a long interruption with a back injury to Danny Wells, Chinnor again scored when Eric Brown went over at the corner flag. With Richard Williams converting with a fine kick from the touchline the referee blew for no-side, leaving Chinnor to rue their policy of not taking the points on offer.

Lessons will be learned from this performance. Apart from the kicking debate, Chinnor did not step up to the mark as they did at Scottish last Saturday. They will be aware that they need to play for 80 minutes rather than just 40 as there were periods, in the second half, where they proved they are no slouches when they have the ball in hand and can trouble most defences. After just two games they will be aware of the task that faces them in the next 24 games. Winning at home is a priority.

Video highlights can be found at https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/?section=videos_photos_view&video_id=773