CHINNOR produced a scintillating first half performance to record back-to-back home wins for the first time this season.

We delivered some fine running and counter-attacking rugby to score five tries in the opening 40 minutes on our way to securing a bonus-point victory.

Willie Ryan produced a superb man-of-the-match display on his 50th cap, while Nick Smith shone in his favoured full-back position and Dean Hammond cashed in with two tries off the left wing.

Smith, Kieran Goss and Mark Darlington were our other try-scorers, while James Bourton had a fine day from the tee, kicking 11 points.

Leeds are in a battle to beat the drop, and they refused to give in as they trailed 33-15 at the break. They outscored us in the second half as they came away with a bonus point which could prove crucial in their fight to stay up.

Director of Rugby, Richard Thorpe made seven changes – four positional – from the side which started against Rams, with Darlington, Alex Hunt and Jack Walsh coming into the XV.

The positional changes were in the backs as Bourton moved to inside centre, Jason Worrall to 13, Goss to the right wing and Smith to full back.

On a glorious spring Saturday, the scene was set for some exciting attacking rugby and Chinnor delivered.

With Leeds reduced to 14 men almost immediately with right wing Jerry Bai sin-binned inside the opening 60 seconds, we took full advantage to lead 14-0 after seven minutes.

The first try arrived on four minutes, with Hammond crossing for the second time this season. After making progress with the maul, Luke Carter popped a lovely little inside ball to the on-rushing winger, who shot through a gap and over the try-line to dot down under the sticks. Bourton slotted the conversion as we had an early 7-0 lead.

We kept the hammer down and in no time we had doubled our advantage. We played wide quickly off a lineout on half-way and Hammond superbly jinked past his man, before throwing a fine offload to Smith who sprinted down the left and over the whitewash. Bourton again stepped up to add the extras and make it 14-0.

Tykes got on the scoreboard through Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley’s penalty, but we continued to attack with pace and purpose.

Again, a lineout provided the platform, before No 8 Fred Tuilagi showed unbelievable strength to hold off three men and propel us forward. Walsh then chucked a long pass out wide where Goss ran a fine line to dive over for his ninth try of the campaign. Bourton stepped up to slot the conversion and make it 21-3 after 14 minutes.

It looked we would continue to score tries at will, but Tykes showed they were up for the fight as they absorbed more pressure before kicking their way up the field. They made their territory count as loosehead prop Tobi Ademakin dived over from close range for an unconverted try.

We were straight back on the attack, though. Carter’s fine box-kick pushed Leeds back into their half and after clearing from their lineout, we launched a superb counter. Running the ball directly back at our opponents, Smith returned the compliment to Hammond as he offloaded to the wing for his second of the day. Bourton, again, converted from the touchline to make it 28-8 after 29 minutes.

Leeds’ fighting spirit shone through again as they replied with their second try of the afternoon, Tom Williams diving over under the sticks following a quick tap-penalty after we had infringed defending several phases off a maul. Maxwell-Whiteley converted as our lead was reduced to 13 points, but there was still time for us to cross again before half-time.

After overturning possession in the Tykes half, we kicked to the corner as we went in search of our fifth try. The lineout was good and so was the maul as Darlington plunged over for his first try since rejoining the Club at the start of the year. Bourton’s conversion attempt just sailed wide as we led 33-15 at the interval.

It certainly was a case of fun in the sun and excitement for more of the same in the second half. However, Tykes had other ideas and went on to outscore us after the break to secure what could turn out to be a crucial bonus-point in their fight to stay up.

After 14 minutes of sustained pressure, the visitors made their territory count when captain Trystan Lloyd burrowed over from close range. Maxwell-Whiteley converted in front of the posts to reduce our lead to 11 points.

We were now reduced to rare forays into the Leeds half courtesy of individual breaks, but a penalty on their 22 presented us with a chance to keep the scoreboard ticking over and we obliged, with Bourton slotting the three points to make it 36-22 after 64 minutes.

The visitors were determined to get something out of the game and they did just that. With 11 minutes to go they scored their fourth try courtesy of Harry Jukes’ fine finish in the Club Shop corner, again reducing our lead.

Our advantage was now nine points and we needed to be at our best defensively to avoid any late drama. We did just that, with Ryan leading the way with, firstly, a brilliant jackal, and then a fine rip and carry as Tykes looked to launch a late attack from a lineout.

We then ended the match in the Tykes half and could celebrate a third win in four games, courtesy of that stunning opening 40 minutes and our second half defensive efforts.

Chinnor: N Smith, Goss, Worrall, Bourton, Hammond, Walsh, Carter, Tonga’uiha, Darlington, A Hunt, Glynn, Brockschmidt, W Ryan, Manning, Tuilagi.
Reps: Lines, Robinson, North, Yawayawa, Grose.

Leeds Tykes: Lawson, Bai, Dixon, Williams, Jukes, Maxwell-Whiteley, Hardwick, Ademakin, Brown, Hardman, Brady, Bell, Lloyd, Choudhury, Burke.
Reps: Potts, Conor Hancock, Collins, Callum Hancock, Robinson.