League leaders and traditional local rivals Rams are the visitors on Friday evening in what promises to be an enthralling pre Christmas match. A bumper festive crowd is anticipated and will want to witness another epic in a series of thrilling encounters stretching back many years. To add extra spice whoever wins this evening will be sitting proudly on top of the league for Christmas and into the New Year until hostilities reseume on January 13th.

Over the last dozen or so years an intense rivalry with a foundation of mutual respect on and off the pitch has built between these excellently run community clubs. At the apex of this rivalry have been 1st team clashes. It was Chinnor who led the charge up the leagues with Rams following closely behind as both cubs secured promotions National 2 and National 1. However since both clubs have been in National 1 it’s Rams who have taken a significant step forward and lead our encounters at this level 6-1 . This is the 3rd time we have met this calendar year and Rams lead by 10-1in terms of match points gleaned. This local success is reflected in the overall league performance as when Chinnor were battling against relegation last season Rams spent almost the entirety of it as league leaders. Under Nick Easter Chinnor managed to end the season successfully but Rams were agonisingly pipped at the post for promotion to the Championship by Cambridge on the basis of number of wins.

Rams could have licked their wounds and sulk about the missed opportunity but bounced back faster and stronger. By early Autumn it was looking like they could go undefeated as they romped to 6 bonus point victories in a row, leaving Chinnor, Plymouth and the Parks to battle it out for second place. Inexplicably they then fell to winless Leicester Lions which in turn led to 2 more losses. The intensity and quality of the league lifted again as the chasing pack sniffed blood.

However in recent weeks Rams have regained their usual form and swagger and have seen off some big challenges in Wins against Blackheath, Plymouth and an extraordinary 40-47 match at Richmond last week. So they come to Chinnor bang on form and fully focused.

Robbie Stapley is their talisman and leader and has caused Chinnor many problems over the year with his try scoring performances. After a brief sojourn at Henley he has led Rams extremely well and continues to impress. He would acknowledge the debt he owes to his own bomb squad in James Baker and Ant Marais who have laid the platform for his rampaging runs. These two veteran props have been a huge asset and Baker recently notched up a remarkable 400 1st team appearances.

Rams are blessed with 3 outstanding scrum halves. Ollie Cole has caused us problems with his elusive running game, Ed Hoadley had a successful season with Chinnor before decamping to London Scottish and Oli Monye has probably produced the skill of the season with a sublime left foot cross kick at full seed to his grateful wing. At 10;Fraser Honey has been a valuable new addition. After successful seasons at Redruth it was assumed the sought after Honey would join his erstwhile half back parthber Jack Oukton at PlymouthbAlbion. However Rams had too much to offer and Honey headed east along the M4, a move which added insult to injury when he kicked a last gasp penalty to beat Albion 2 weeks ago. An investment paying dividends.

Rams have a hugely dangerous back 3 in Bird, Smith and Robson and they have been scoring tries for fun , launching long range raids. Rams have also recruited well from the sad demise of London Irish, adding real quality and depth to the squad,

Praise must go to their coaching team who continue to evolve their game. Moving from their traditional set piece to a more expansive , running game has certainly paid dividends.

It seems a great shame that this is potentially the last time these two rivals go head to head for a while. If Rams are promoted to the Championship we wish them well and hope to see them in the future. If we both remain in National One under the current RFU plans we will be placed in different l divisions when the league splits. Bizarrely Chinnor would be in the North division. RFU CEO Bill Sweeney was present at the remarkable Richmond v Rams games last week and surely could not have failed to be impressed. I doubt though that Bill or any other decision makers will leave the leafy suburbs of south west London to attend this evening. This is bound to be a more raucous, stripped back and raw encounter.

If you ask any of the players, coaches, officials, administrators, sponsors and spectators from the most ardent to the more occasional that denying them the opportunity to play in or watch such a product of quality and excitement where there is a genuine opportunity to advance is a good idea I think you would get a resounding answer. This is rugby where high quality coaches are producing high quality teams at clubs that invest in rugby for all and want the best for their teams.

Two clubs that put 4 teams out on a Saturday, thriving minis/juniors, girls and ladies, v successful Colts and invest in the pathway with initiatives like returning students. Please listen to our thoughts, we may actually be onto something.

The rivalries continue this week with a young Falcons away tomorrow at Rams for 2pm KO, the delightful returning students match at Kingsey Road on Wednesday evening and all kicks off with u13 curtain raisevthis evening .

If Chinnor win this evening then the roof of the marquee is likely to fly off as Swifty’s Christmas Disco erupts.

Here’s to another epic and Happy Christmas to all.