Chinnor U15s win both the 15s and 10s matches

With some players unavailable due to injury and some due to school rugby commitments, the early signs were that the U15s were going to have an uphill struggle against Banbury who looked sharp at the 10s festival at the start of the season.

The 15-a-side match was a close fought affair with Chinnor taking an early try when Archie B went over after only two minutes of play. It then took fifteen minutes for the next score to come. Again it was Archie B who took the points, but only after a huge amount of work by the whole team securing the ball, working up the pitch, only for the ball to be lost, to then have to defend, to win the ball back - before setting off in attack again. One or two moments of bad luck, a foot in touch and some moments of being isolated gave Banbury possession and confidence. Their defence was good, resisting repeated runs from Josh E, Henry S, Will F and Nathan and the score at half time was 0-10.

The second half started with an early try for the home side's #10 who broke through Chinnor's otherwise respectable defence. Play then settled with alternate sides having possession and trying to penetrate the other's defence. Chinnor had the first breakthrough when Ben S went over for the only Chinnor try that was converted. Nearly ten minutes later after the forwards of Harry R, Shaun B, Louis A, Ben G, Max, Ed, Archie B and Ben N had won scrum after scrum and contested line out after line out, did the next try come. This time the scorer was Will V.

This seemed to galvanise Banbury who, having missed a number of earlier opportunities due to handling errors, successfully passed the ball through their back line, looping and supporting each other well. They were particularly effective in offloading just as they were going into contact. Banbury put this to good use sending their formidable #13 through the Chinnor lines for two tries in quick succession, both of which were converted. The score was 21-22 and the last seven or eight minutes were tough with Chinnor wary of letting a Banbury player get the better of them and Banbury determined to do just that. It wasn't to be with Chinnor camped in Banbury's 22 for three of four minutes before Archie B barreled over a minute before time for a try that may not have been had the TMO been consulted.

Will V worked tirelessly throughout the match shipping the ball out and probing when there was space. A mention must go to Dan, who just back from injury, played a good game never failing to get the ball out of the scrum or ruck and into the hands of either the fly half or one of the forwards for a trundle up the park. Ben S made some exceptional cover tackles and the try scorers speak for themselves.

The 10s match was a much more comfortable win with Rich being the top try scorer of the day, netting six in one hour of play. Good performances were put in by Adam, Sam and Ollie in the front row and Finley demonstrated his speed and newly acquired hand off skills. Eddie played well and the back line of Chris, Tom and a borrowed player showed what you can do with good hands and a willing set of forwards hungry to take the ball into contact. It was not all plain sailing - Banbury were quicker and stronger into the rucks and the Chinnor players had to work hard to win the ball back at times.

Banbury will be disappointed not to have capitalised on their strong attacking play and, no doubt, some of the decisions that went against them. Both matches were played in good spirit and Banbury were, as ever, hospitable. We look forward to our next encounter.