Video highlights are here: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/?section=videos_photos_view&video_id=5662

Despite dull and overcast skies in Cheltenham, the intense luminosity of Chinnor’s performance pierced the gloom to overcome second placed Old Patesians by 44 points to 3.

Matthew Webster came in to the team at hooker and with Ben Farr still recovering from his eye injury, James Serrano filled the right wing berth. Electing to play up the hill in the first half, Chinnor were first on the score board after 15 minutes when Serrano finished off a sweeping backs move. Some three minutes later James Markey slotted a penalty for Old Pats for their first (and last) score of the match. Immediately afterwards, flanker Hastings was on hand to score Chinnor’s second try, a result of blistering counter-attack. With Cathcart converting, the score stood at 3 -12 . On the 32nd minute, the influential Stoop ran in Chinnor's third try. With a Cathcart penalty on the 40th minute, Chinnor went in at half-time 20 points to 3 to the good.

Two minutes into the second half and with Old Pats attacking in the Chinnor 22, referee Shane Lewis, observing injudicious use of the boot, red carded Old Pats loose head Christopher Downs. A few minutes later ,Chinnor's lock Harry Jackman was yellow carded for infringements at the ruck. On the 59th minute, the omniscient Liam Gilbert took his turn to trouble the scoreboard, dotting down for Cathcart to convert to give a score of 3 - 27 and a bonus point.

On the 63rd minute came the low point of the match. Old Pats open side Jacob Kitson went down with an injury requiring paramedic assistance. It took 35 minutes for the injured Kitson to be sufficiently stable to leave the field by ambulance. The preliminary diagnosis was a fractured ankle.

Shortly after the resumption, Serrano scored his second and with Cathcart converting, Chinnor were now 37 points to 3 ahead. On the 77th minute, Sam Stoop glided past three defenders to score Chinnor's sixth try, converted by Cathcart to give a final score of 44 - 3 to Chinnor.

Whilst this was clearly Chinnor's best team performance of the current campaign, it seems unfair to select one player worthy of mention, such was the quality and cohesiveness of this performance. However, No 8 Liam Gilbert gave a masterful performance, strong in defence and incisive in attack.

The pack as a whole performed heroically. The back row was intense throughout. Chinnor's tight five scrummed well and their lineout worked well. Chinnor's backs worked like a smoothly oiled machine throughout the match with Stoop orchestrating much in midfield, particularly in counter attack.

The basis of this startling win was a collective obduracy in refusing to allow Old Patesians to cross the Chinnor line. Wave after wave of Old Pats attacks were repulsed.

All in all, this was a masterful performance, with Liam Gilbert at the top of his game. Let’s hope this good form continues into Chinnor's next match against local rivals Oxford Harlequins.

Chinnor team: Wallace, Serrano, Hewitt B, Stoop, Williams (Chase 63), Cathcart, Prescott, Winpenny, Webster, Pickett (Stock 63), Hutchings, Jackman, Hastings, Jones (Mowbray 58), Gilbert
Reps: Stock, Mowbray, Chase

Scorers: Serrano 2T; Stoop 2T; Cathcart 2P,4C; Hastings T; Gilbert T