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Photos courtesy of by Pete Matthews.

Opting to play with a slightly heavier pack than normal, coach Jason Bowers’ decision was justified early on in this match as the Chinnor pack began to dominate set piece play from the start.

With Angus Neilson still recovering from concussion, Adam Hastings was moved to the open side with Harry Jackman going to blind side. The back row trio was completed with the return of Peter Wright at No 8. Bert Payne was back at lock and Chris Mahony back on the wing.

However, the match started unfavourably for Chinnor as Lions’ full back Jack Green, chasing a kick ahead, got the perfect bounce to dot down. Fly half Harry Owens converted to give Lions a 7-0 lead after just five minutes. However, Chinnor came back into the match with a concentrated period of play in Lions’ 22. A series of fumbles and knock-ons prevented Chinnor pressure being turned into points until a series of destructive scrums saw Lions no 8 Stuart Riding yellow carded for foul play involving hooker Arthur Ellis. With a player down, Chinnor opted for more scrummaging, eventually allowing Chinnor no 8 Peter Wright a try in the corner. Cathcart converted to make the score 7-7 after 13 minutes, a score that held until the half time whistle.

Rugby Lions were quick off the blocks after the interval and thought they had scored a try by Ade Hales until the ref brought play back for a forward pass. Chinnor and Rugby Lions then embarked on a punishing series of forward plays. A Lions indiscretion allowed Cathcart to increase the Chinnor score to 10 points. A few minutes later, Harry Owens did the same for Lions to leave the score once again tied, this time at 10-10.

The match then entered the crucial phase for Chinnor as their forwards began to win territory and take play to the powerful Lions pack. Winning a penalty some 10 metres out from the Lions’ line, Chinnor scrum half, Toby Prescott, took an instant tap penalty and scored in the corner before anyone else on the pitch had reacted. This unconverted try gave Chinnor a 15-10 lead.

Lions came back with determination but their pressure was reversed when Chinnor seized turnover ball. Centre Trevor Powell running a clever line, held the Lions’ defence and then released winger Richie Williams with a perfectly timed pass. Williams’ acceleration down the tram lines took him past the cover defence to score in the corner. This unconverted try gave Chinnor a 20-10 lead with 8 minutes left on the clock. Chinnor then played a long period of pick and drive which, eating up match time, almost got them to the Lions’ line. An accidental offside allowed Lions possession of the ball. Electing to run, they were thwarted when a desperate Chinnor midfield tackle caused them to lose the ball forward. A short period of Chinnor possession ensured that Lions could not come back. The final whistle saw a well deserved Chinnor victory, outscoring Lions by three tries to one.

Great credit for the victory needs to go to the Chinnor pack who were resolute in defence and dominant in the scrum. The Chinnor backs did well to contain the pacey Lions backs, particularly in the second half, and to fashion a well executed try.

However, one Chinnor player stood out. Scrum half Toby Prescott was imperious. His electric breaks, both from scrum and in broken play, caused Rugby Lions problems throughout the match. It wasn’t just his pace and vision. He tackled anything near him and one grubber kick in particular must have sickened Lions’ hearts. His instant tap penalty and acceleration to the corner for Chinnor’s second try will live long in the memory.

With this important victory, Chinnor’s hopes of avoiding relegation are very much alive.

Chinnor team: Hewitt, Mahony, Powell, Oxley, Williams, Cathcart, Prescott, Whelan (Stock), Ellis (Stennings), Winpenny, Hutchings, Payne, Hastings, Jackman (Jackson)

Replacements not used: Serrano, Shiel