Video highlights are here: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/chinnor/?section=videos_photos_view&video_id=5984

Playing with a specially Teflon-coated ball, Chinnor managed to squeeze out a 24-16 victory against Bristol rivals, Cleve.

This was a match dominated by forward play, with most action in the centre of the pitch. On the few occasions that Chinnor broke free, it was their backs, avoiding the congestion in the middle of the park, who managed to score the points.

Chinnor started brightly when after three minutes, Hewitt scooted through to dot down. However, the referee judged the grounding incomplete. The first score was a penalty to Chinnor by Cathcart on the fifth minute. 12 minutes later, some neat work by Serrano along the touchline worked the supporting Jackman in for Chinnor's first try. Jackman was soon carted off for a blood injury after a nasty clash of heads with Chinnor's Winpenny. A few minutes later, Chinnor dropped the ball in midfield and it was quickly worked by Cleve for their only try by lock Mark Perry, converted by fly half Mark Spencer. Two penalties in quick succession from dropped balls by Chinnor, gave Cleve a further six points to end the half 13-8 ahead.

Shortly after the restart, Chinnor got back on terms when the again influential Serrano slipped Wallace in for a try, converted by Cathcart, to give Chinnor a 15-13 lead. A further penalty by Cathcart on the 45th minute increased Chinnor's lead to 18-13. The midfield battle of the forwards then continued until the 64th minute when another penalty from Cathcart increased the Chinnor lead to 21-13. The Cleve penalty in the 73rd minute was cancelled out by a Cathcart 80th minute penalty to give Chinnor their 24-16 victory.

This was a welcome win for Chinnor. They stuck well to their task especially in the forwards. However, the surprising number of occasions on which the ball was dropped or lost prevented any flow to the game. Cleve, though, were grateful for these mistakes as they all led directly to Cleve scores. Serrano’s clever running and handling were the important difference for Chinnor.

Chinnor team: Wallace, Serrano, Hewitt (Chase 64), Stoop, Williams, Cathcart, Prescott, Winpenny, Cawston, Pickett (Stock 71), Hutchings, Jackman, Hastings, Jones (Mowbray 60), Gilbert
Reps: Stock, Mowbray, Chase