Video snippets are here: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/?section=videos_photos_view&video_id=4800

On a sunny winter’s day, Chinnor showed great industry in defence in beating Cleve from Bristol by 27 points to 11 at Kingsey Road.

With Sam Jones unavailable until after Christmas, Chinnor brought in Rob Fenwick in the back row and Matthew Webster was added to the bench.

Cleve started aggressively and had much of the ball and territory in the first half. On 7 minutes and repulsing a determined Cleve forward drive, Chinnor worked the ball to Farr wide out on the left wing. Farr used his pace to hold the defence before off loading to Adam Hastings who was running a good support line. Hastings similarly held the defence before slipping the ball to Richie Williams to dot down. Cathcart converted to give Chinnor a 7-0 lead. A few minutes later, Oxley was yellow carded for not rolling away from the tackle and Cleve scored 3 points from the resultant penalty. The match then continued much as before with Cleve attacking and Chinnor defending. Chinnor’s discipline was breached in the 38th minute allowing Cleve a penalty goal. Half time came with a narrow 7-6 lead to Chinnor.

Shortly after the restart, Cathcart for Chinnor landed two difficult penalty goals to give Chinnor a 13-6 lead. On the 50th minute, Cleve’s centre Madamombe was sent to the bin. Almost immediately on his return, Farr finished off a sweeping move to score a try for Chinnor wide out. Cathcart was again successful with the conversion to give Chinnor a 20-6 lead. Chinnor then brought on all their replacements in quick succession to maintain their lead. Prescott took a quick tap penalty and scooted half a pitch to off load to the supporting Cathcart who proved strong in forcing himself over the line for a try. With Cathcart requiring attention, Williams stepped up to convert and give Chinnor a 27-6 lead on the 73rd minute. Cathcart could not continue and with all the replacements used, Chinnor were down to 14 men. The referee then objected to a Cleve player talking back and so Daniel Cox was given a red card. Three minutes later, the referee objected to Chinnor’s Matthews use of the boot at a ruck and he too was red carded to leave Chinnor with 13 men. Cleve took advantage and, with the last play of the match, scored their only try of the match which was unconverted. With a final score of 27-11, Chinnor were satisfied with a hard day’s defending.

Leading the defence with an all action display was Adam Hastings. Cathcart took his try well and mastered the conditions to score freely with his boot. This, however, was a good team display of discipline and industry highlighted by the intricate passing between Farr, Hastings and Williams for Chinnor’s first try.

Chinnor team: Wallace (Hopwood 65), Farr, Williams, Oxley, Brown, Cathcart, Prescott, Winpenny, Cawston (Webster 72), Pickett (Matthews 68), Jackman, Black, Fenwick, Hastings, Mowbray.
Reps: Matthews, Webster, Hopwood