Chinnor dazzle in the Banbury Sunshine
Banbury III (0) Chinnor IV (29)
Looking to get back onto their winning ways Chinnor IV’s travelled to the sunny fields of Banbury this week. Still looking to settle, this league fixture would be an important one for the weeks to come.
The clouds parted and the sun shined as the whistle blew for the start of the game. Electing to play from the sideline this week, assistant to the assistant water boy, Mike “Who me sir?†Neuman would play an important role as the temperature rose.
Returning this week from the 3’s, Will “Getya†Dickinson soon had Banbury under pressure as he put boot to ball. A ruck inside the Banbury half, and the ball was out to
“Getya†who fed Gordon “Voldemort†Fennel on a neat angle. Voldmort was tackled, he off loaded to “Getya†and another high ball saw the Banbury fullback dispossessed by the
ever present Chris “Critter†Williams, who just touched down the bouncing ball, and was awarded the try on the replay. 0-7.
Growing confident Chinnor kept Banbury pinned back. Good field positioning from the visitors back three, Gavin “Hyphenated†Williams, Pete “Shakespeare†McDermott and Mark “Lil’ “ Cox forced any kicks into touch.
Solid defence from the Chinnor centers Rowan “Spam†Foster and “Critter†enabled their back row to capitalise and steal at the ruck.
This pressure told and Chinnor were awarded a penalty near the 22m line. A delicate stroke from Josh “Don’t go into the†Woodeson stretched Chinnors lead, 0-10.
Minutes later and another indiscretion at the breakdown allowed “Don’t go into the†Woodeson to stretch the lead further.
The game continued with the visitors keeping Banbury in their own half, only allowing them out for the odd foray on occasion. Each time Chinnor would tidy up and take play
back down field.
Both packs were competing well. Chinnors’ front row of John “Tin†Cann, George “Gorgeous†White and Matt “Billy Elliott†Locke holding their own as usual. “Tinn†Cann
showing his sevens skills in open play on occasion.
Clinical rucking from the forwards, with new face Richard “The†King showing the way led to another penalty. “Don’t go into the†opting to kick to touch, gave the forwards a chance to show their mettle.
“Gorgeous†threw in to the 2 ball jumper, Mike “Harry Potter†Bambrook. “Voldemort†tidied, to allow Barney “Bob “ Hoskins to pick. The pack drove and “Bob†was carried over to touch down, 0-21.
The second half saw Chinnor legend,Mike “Sippy†Hughes on for “Gorgeousâ€, and Chinnor were ready to show more structured play.
Now facing the dazzling sun, Banbury’s 9 and 10 kicked more but found their efforts thwarted by the back 3 each time. “Lil’ “ Cox taking nice attacking lines back to the
opposition.
The sun shined on, the temperature rose and a drought ensued; The slick play seen in the first half was missing, and the water ran out, a heinous crime in itself.
Chinnor eventually started to work upfield, were awarded another penalty and opted to convert through “Getya†Dickinson who did not disappoint.
This was encouraging but no other scores came for another 20 minutes. Again it was from the visitors. With the last substitutions made, Lance “Leonard†Rossiter, Benny “Hillâ€
Rowe and Rupert “Biggin†Hill, Chinnor strove on.
“Leonard†Rossiter drove in from the center, “Critter†bridged, “Potter†secured and “Voldemort†popped a diving pass up to “Bob†Hoskins.
“Bob†handed off one defender then took the outside to go over in the corner, 0-29.
A better performance by Chinnor IV’s. Sideline comments from team manager Adam “Jim Lad†Woodliffe included “It was a lot better than last weekâ€.
Chinnor travel to Winslow this Saturday.
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