With limited number again this week due to injuries and other commitments, we had to recruit a few players to step up to the challenge. Dane White did a great job of recruiting some players, including Ollie Jackson who, after much debate ended up propping after he was promised by his recruiter he could play centre.

We had that buzz back during the warm up and prior to the kick off Chinnor had that hungry sense for contact, and everyone came flying out the blocks battling through the Maidenhead attack along with the surprising hailstorm.

The first 10 minutes were superb by Chinnor, as everyone’s aggression was clearly showing. We had 2 shots at goal, that were both narrowly missed by Pete Way, but we felt good about our opening play. Rob Nichols also nearly touched down over their try line when their 10 fumbled under our pressure and the ball was kicked through, but unfortunately the slippery conditions made it difficult. Maidenhead came back hard, and although our defence was strong our discipline started to flake. We conceded a penalty in front of our sticks, which the Maidenhead 10 did not ignore. 3-0.

It started to become clear that Maidenhead pack were a well drilled side, and they started to play a narrow game which they started to control. Chinnor did not win any line-outs, bar 1, in the first half and this is where Maidenhead scored their first try which was swiftly converted.

The referee had another word with our covering Captain, Tom White about the discipline, and threaten us with a yellow card for the next offence.

Chinnor struggled to get the ball to hand, as we found ourselves defending for which turn out to be most of the game. Hard hits came in from Dom Bradbrook-Taylor and Dane White to try and rattle Maidenhead, but they bundled in for another try. Soon after Chunk got a yellow card from the referee who was clearly itching to get into his pocket 5 minutes before half time.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were much like the first 10 minutes of the first, where we pressured Maidenhead in their half, and gained territory, but still not able to get clean decent ball to play with. The scrums were starting to take there toll, as we found ourselves losing a lot of ball from them, and Maidenhead started to run in a few more tries.

John Down showed a glimpse of what the backs can do, when he broke the line half way through the 2nd half, but that chance was out lived as Maidenhead turned over again and took control back. Chinnor were forced to go down to 14 men when the scrums became uncontested due to the lack of front row players on the day. Maidenhead scored their last few tries of the game, but Chinnor never gave up and showed a lot of passion right up to the end.

Man of the Match – Dane White
Mare of the Match – Dane White