Chinnor, in their last match of the season, needed to beat Exmouth and rely on other matches to avoid relegation from National 2 South. Their solid victory by 32-12 over Exmouth, in front of the largest crowd of the season, delivered the first part of the equation.

Chinnor started at a high tempo and kept the Devon lads confined to their own half for 39 minutes of the first half. Chinnor's first try came courtesy of some quick hands in the tram lines from Gilbert, releasing Millett to go over for a 5-0 lead.

Chinnor kept up the pace and a deft stab kick from Barnes was pounced on by Fielding who glided over for a 10-0 lead on 25 minutes. Millett's conversion put Chinnor ahead 12-0. Skipper Liam Gilbert then made a significant contribution to the Chinnor victory. First, he charged down an Exmouth clearing kick and casually snapped up the rebound for a saunter over the line on the 28th minute. Three minutes later, he pounced on a dropped pass and again strolled to the line. With Millett converting both tries, Chinnor led 26-0. Continuing to press, Chinnor themselves dropped the ball and Exmouth's Bright picked it up to dash half the length of the pitch for their opening try. Meadows' conversion made it 26-7 at half time to Chinnor.

Exmouth came more into the match in the second half and scored the first points of the half with a try from Bright on the 54th minute after a considerable period of attack. Chinnor maintained their high energy game and were rewarded with penalty goals from Millett in the 58th and 65th minutes to increase their lead to 32-12. Exmouth continued to make a game of it but Chinnor defended well to run out 32-12 winners.

The whole Chinnor side played with a degree of intensity that has perhaps been lacking in recent matches, Goode particularly led the way with a series of crunching tackles. Exmouth did not play like a side condemned to relegation and competed throughout. Their second try from Richard Bright was just reward for a period of good attacking play.

The victory tasted that much sweeter when results from elsewhere confirmed that the victory ensured Chinnor's stay in National 2 South for next season.

The Chinnor back row had a fine match: Tibbatts aggressive throughout, Townsend all over the park and Gilbert’s propensity to score from opposition mistakes. Pickett had some storming runs and Millett again provided the points. Barnes revealed his intelligent left boot. It wasn't all perfect as the lineout functioned poorly and two easy peasy tries went begging as final passes went awry.

So work to do over the close season as Chinnor prepare for another season in National 2 South. Some old foes return (Henley and Worthing) and there will be some new away trips (Dorking and Old Elthamians who are from Chislehurst in Kent)

Chinnor: Matt Mountford, George Blewitt, Matt Goode, Dan Barnes, Leo Fielding, Will Millett, Frank Jones, Joe Winpenny, Joe Pickett, Ricky Cano, Michal Kruzycki , Andrew Smith, Andrew Tibbatts, Jamie Townsend, Liam Gilbert (c)
Replacements: Ed Vickers, Harry Betts, Rudal Aiono, Nick Harrison, Lewis Hall

Chinnor Scorers
Tries (time): Millett (7) Fielding (25) Gilbert (28, 31)
Conversions (time): Millett (26, 29, 31)
Penalty Goals (time): Millett (58, 65)