All level with Chippy

Chinnor’s penultimate game of the season saw them play host to Chipping Norton II’s.
With the home side lying second in the table, and Chippy lying third, this was the only game that could decide possible promotion or not.

A strong team, bench and crowd indicated the importance of the game, which became ever more apparent as the minutes ticked away. Closely fought at the breakdown, and every
point of contact.

Chinnor were pushed back, and while under pressure did not look like conceding. Infact a kick through and chase by Rob “Dawn” French and Chris “Nice” Price was just missed at
the last, denying Chinnor the lead.
Minutes later, with the ball secured by Captain for the day, and Chinnor’s oldest player, Mike “Harry Potter” Bambrook, the forwards trundled.
Rupert “Biggin” Hill passed out from 9, where “Dawn” skipped across then fed “Nice” Price coming back inside on the angle. “Nice” sliced then stepped the fullback and
used his rangy pace to touch down under the posts.
A freak gust of wind pushed Benny “Saville” Rowe’s conversion onto the post. 5-0.

The close game ensued. Chinnor worked their way inside Chippy’s 22, a rolling maul crept ever closer until Georgina “Louisa” White was adjudged held up at the last.

Chippy then pushed upfield, and using a blindside move from a 5m scrum levelled the scores, 5-5.
Half time arrived with no further score. It was apparent that the visitors were tiring, particularly in the pack. To keep the pressure on, “Dawn” kicked deep into their 22 pinning Chippy back in their own half for the remainder of the game.

Chippy would try to run out or kick out, but were taken back each time. The clock ticked and the minutes ran down, until one final scrum a few meters from Chippy’s line.
Once again “Dawn” took the pass and dropped a kick only to see the ball miss the left hand upright by inches. The game ended level.

Although not the result Chinnor wanted, it was enough to see them in contention for promotion. A very quiet, possibly shocked home side left the pitch, not realising quite what they had achieved. A real result for the team made up of Gilmore’s last originals and "Voldemort’s” youth.

The IV’s want to thank their supporters once again, and to Anton for officiating.
Their last game is away to Bicester on the 18th.