GREG Goodfellow held his nerve to convert Mark Darlington’s last-gasp try as our Falcons edged the RAF in a thrilling friendly under the Wednesday night lights.

The hooker plunged over off the back of a driving lineout in the last play to bring us back to within a point of our visitors, leading to his fellow replacement stepping up and slotting the winning points with his trusty left boot.

It marked a remarkable end to a brilliant contest, which had seen the RAF stage an impressive comeback to score two tries while down to 13 men and seemingly claim victory at 28-22.

But we had other ideas, with the boys digging deep to win a penalty from the restart and then taking their opportunity.

It was a credit to every single player on both sides that they put on such a fine show in front of more than 300 spectators on a night when there were many off-field distractions.

First5 Media were at Kingsey Road to film the game, with two cameras on the gantry, one in each corner and many more handheld operators scattered around the ground - it really was the kind of set-up you would expect at the highest level. With the match streamed live on the Eggchasers Podcast YouTube channel, presenters Laura-Jane Jones and Tim Cocker were also at Kingsey Road, with our coaches, players, board members and supporters being asked for interviews and enjoying their time on the screen.

Put all of that together and it was an enjoyable evening. The stream has been viewed 5,000 times, suggesting there is plenty of interest in a company leading the charge to attract more eyes to rugby below the Premiership – we wish First5 Media all the best with their campaign and appreciate the interest they showed in our Club.

Our Falcons - which included eight homegrown players - certainly delivered on the night and deservedly led 12-0 at the break after controlling the majority of the first half.

We took the lead on five minutes when openside flanker Max Heathman superbly won possession to set up a fluid counter. Full-back Ryan Crowley – who played a half each due to being a Senior Aircraftman Technician in the RAF – ran a fine line and sent Josh Hodson charging down his left wing with an accurate offload. He then drew the last man and fed scrum-half Jacob Ham to scamper over from 40m, dotting down after initially losing his footing with just metres to go.

Our second try quickly followed on 18 minutes when tighthead prop Alex Hunt drove over with the help of lock Liam Gilbert. Fly-half Max Titchener stepped up to expertly slot the conversion from out wide and increase our lead to 12 points.

A dogged defensive effort in the latter stages of the half ensured the RAF – captained by our former player Joe Parkin – headed into the break without cutting our deficit.

After more half-time interviews, the players emerged for what proved to be an entertaining second period.

George Grose – who had played excellently in the first half – was forced off with concussion at the break, but continued to deliver faultless interviews for the viewers at home, while we introduced a couple of our homegrown boys with Bradley Harewood, Dylan Taylor and Will Leach entering the fray.

The second half captivated the crowd and those on YouTube with viewing numbers rising throughout.

Crowley – now in an RAF jersey - was causing us plenty of problems and two tries from the visitors in the opening eight minutes of the half saw them impressively take a two-point lead.

From there on we went on to dominate for a good 15 minutes, with the RAF struggling to get out of their half as the introduction of Darlington took our scrummaging to another level.

With the penalty count rising and two players in the sin bin, the pressure took its toll in the end with Heathman crashing over from close range on 66 minutes.

Just four minutes later and our lead was increased to eight points. Fine hands fed Hodson and the winger still had plenty of work to do as he beat two men, before a fine step off his left foot took him past a third and over the line.

With the way we were playing and ten minutes left on the clock, you would be forgiven for thinking the game had gone. However, the RAF had other ideas.

Crowley’s sublime solo try from a good 60m cut our lead to a point, before an error led to our visitors scoring in the corner. The conversion was slotted and we now trailed by six points.

As far as we were concerned the clock had run down, but we were on the referee’s time now and the boys were not finished yet.

Brilliant work on the floor after the restart led to a penalty and Goodfellow kicked to the corner. Darlington’s lineout was collected by Gilbert and shuffled back to the hooker as the driving maul forced its way to the try-line and over the whitewash.

That took us to within a point and, even with a camera in close proximity, Goodfellow shrugged off the pressure to slot the conversion and match-winning points. Darlo and Greg combining for a Chinnor victory – it must be 2016 all over again.

Falcons: Crowley, Scott, Grose, Yawayawa, Hodson, Titchener, Ham, Lines, Fleckney, Hunt, Thomas, Gilbert, North, Heathman, Wilkinson.
Reps: Darlington, Harewood, Mulholland, Cornish, Goodfellow, Leach, Taylor.