Video snippets here: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/?section=videos_photos_view&video_id=4799

On a day more suited to water polo or ocean going racing, Chinnor adapted well to the severe weather conditions to record a bonus point victory at Chippenham by 24 points to nil.
Chinnor played into the hurricane force wind in the first half and the two packs had most of the possession with the backs occasionally getting use of a very slippery ball. One of the rare backs passage of play saw Richie Williams skilfully side step his way upfield from his own 22 to the opposition’s 22. Chinnor’s starting XV was almost the same as last week with the exception of Mark Chase coming in for the injured Cathcart at fly half. Additions to the bench were Tom Jarvis and the team skipper Matt Hutchings for his first match since injury some 8 weeks ago.

Absorbing early pressure, the Chinnor pack drove down the field to within 20 metres of the Chippenham line. Quick ball to Chase, running a good line with rapid acceleration, saw him find a defensive gap to score under the posts. He converted his own try. After 10 minutes Chinnor was 7-0 ahead. The rest of the half was trench warfare between the two packs with the Chinnor pack beginning to show dominance in both loose and set play.

At the turnaround and with the wind now at their backs, the Chinnor pack began a punishing set of scrums near the Chippenham line. The referee, unamused by the home pack’s efforts to repel the Chinnor pack, trotted under the posts for a penalty try for Chinnor on the 55th minute. Chase converted to make the visitor’s lead 14-0. Chinnor took the opportunity to replace the industrious Fenwick with returning skipper Matt Hutchings.

The Chinnor pack continued to exert pressure leading to more and more opportunities for the Chinnor backs who, understandably, found it difficult to always retain the slippery ball. On the 71st minute, scrum half Prescott decide to take matters in his own hands and, with skilful passing interchange with his backs, scored in the far corner. As the final whistle loomed, Chinnor looked to be pleased with the win. However, Prescott clearly wasn’t. Once again, with dazzling footwork and skilful interpassing, he repeated the action of 6 minutes earlier to earn Chinnor a bonus point. Three minutes later, the referee signalled for no side and Chinnor swam off 24-0 to the better.

This was a match in which the weather had the greatest effect. However, Chinnor adapted impressively well to the extreme conditions. The tight five were strong and committed, earning three strikes against the head – a feat rare in modern rugby. The back row were all action and snuffed out all Chippenham attempts to break the gain line. Harry Jackman both at lock and later at blindside did much good work. The Chinnor backs were sensible and played conservatively in the conditions – where the midfield strength of Oxley was reassuring. Prescott is clearly getting back his confidence after returning from his horrific injury down at Bournemouth. Man of the Match was the Chinnor pack for their committed and powerful unit display. A word of congratulations for the coaching team who created the perfect game plan for the conditions.

Chinnor team: Wallace, Farr, Williams, Oxley, Brown, Chase, Prescott, Winpenny, Cawston (Webster 61), Pickett, Jackman, Black, Fenwick (Hutchings 56), Hastings, Mowbray.
Reps: Webster, Hutchings, Jarvis