Ken Vaughan writes ...

There is no substitute for pace. Rugby Lions possessed this in abundance and utilised it to run Chinnor ragged in the second quarter of the game. Chinnor did not assist their cause by kicking the ball away from the limited possession they had. The Lions were swift to capitalise and showed that in open play, with deft handling, speed and good angles of running, they were lethal finishers. In the fifteen minutes leading up to half time, they accumulated 24 unanswered points.

Chinnor started with one change from the selected line-up with Macsen Williams coming into the back row to replace the flu stricken Angus Nielsen. The exchanges were even in the first quarter, giving no indication of the points deluge that was to come. James Hawkin for the Lions and Ben Hewitt swapped penalties before Hawkin kicked another goal in the 13th minute. The Lions forged ahead from the 23rd minute with Warner taking the final pass and going over under the posts. This move had started well inside the Lions half after Chinnor had failed to find touch from a penalty. With Hawkin converting this, and then adding another try of his own within minutes, which he again converted, the Lions were well on their way. A try by Hales which amply illustrated why he is the League's leading try scorer, and another by Reed, both converted by Hawkin who also managed to slot in a penalty between the tries added up to a 37 points to 3 interval score line.

Chinnor defended bravely at the start of the second half to put in some fine cover tackles.To a man, they all stood up to be counted during this period, keeping the well launched counter attacks by the Lions at bay. One such tackle by the covering Chris Rowley on the speedy Hales was a good example of determination and resolve as was a head on effort by Ben Hewitt on the big, powerful and aggressive Lions No.8 Stuart Riding. With just 15 minutes left and the second half scoreless Chinnor began pressurising the Lions line with some considerable intent. They went close on several occasions during this period being brought down inches close to the line. In fact, they finished the stronger but the damage had been done in the second quarter of the game.

The Lions were probably the best side Chinnor have faced this season and that includes the likes of London Scottish and Ealing. Their back three were particularly potent and along with a pair of competent half backs, who always tended to take the right options, they were not to be found wanting. Add to this a massively influential No.8 then you have quite a good recipe for success.

To put the game into perspective, Chinnor's line was breached on just four occasions, all emanating from open play, and add to this the Lion's kicker slotting everything in sight then not a disaster by any standard. Lessons will and must be learned but it is no disgrace to come second to a side who were top notch on the day. Heart must be taken from the Chinnor second half performance which was brave and showed character. With the manner in which the fixtures have panned out for the second half of the season there remains hope.