Chinnor’s game this week was effectively an early cup final. Hosting league leaders Amersham & Chiltern II’s, the current league leaders who had only conceded 7 points to date.

A strong Chinnor side took to the pitch. This was evident as despite going 3 points down in the first 5 minutes, the home side then set up camp inside Amersham’s 22. Play contined there for the next quarter, as wave after wave of Chinnor attack was repulsed, with Chinnor gaining another attacking line out each time. Despite this early barrage Chinnor came away empty.

Then guilty of showing the visitors too much respect, Chinnor allowed in 2 soft tries as Amershams forwards rucked their way over the line.
The continually rising pressure started to show, as Mike “Sippy” Hughes fell victim to Miss Identification after an incidence, and was allowed a short rest for 10 minutes.
Play continued as both sides pressured the other, but no further score came in the first half.

Amersham added another score minutes after the break. Chinnor were playing their best Rugby so far this season, but the opposition were very well drilled, proving a hard nut to crack.
The IV’s never say die attitude, soon bore out. Regaining composure a Chinnor attack resulted in a breakdown inside Amersham’s 10m. Solid work by John “Tin” Cann with Terry “And June” Chappell set-up an impenetrable platform. Quick ball left from “Previn” to Rob “Andrew” Atkin, and again to “Mucky” who drew his man and released new face
Chris “Critter” Williams at speed to break through, perform a front flick Russian gymnast style, dodge and touch down next to the posts to a loud cheer from the home crowd.

Finally realising they could penetrate, Chinnor upped the ante. Doing so raised the heat on the pressure cooker yet again. This wound up “Sippy” Hughes like a clock, and despite his earlier rest, the veteran hooker found his hands at 6’s and 7’s at a breakdown.
A further award was presented in true traffic light style, completing his collection of cards.
At least this time he was accompanied by a fellow opposition player.

Unperturbed, Chinnor put together some good passages of play with the forwards and backs interlinking well. One passage saw “Shoes” Halson crash through setting a ruck.
The ball was span out to “Mucky” who went on a strong run back through the forwards. He was caught then off loaded to “Previn” Williams, who with great anticipatory skills spurted through a hole, shrugged off 2 tackles and ran 20m to touch down to the applause of his team mates for a well deserved try.

The visitors added to their tally as the minutes wound down. Always scheduled as a hard day at the office, the IV’s can be proud to be the team scoring the most points against Amersham to date. In doing so they have almost got back to their peak, and have sent out a clear message to the rest of the league.
Thanks this week go to local official Stan “Ken” Barlow-Kersey for his sterling work Officiating.
The IV’s travel to Witney this week.