Chinnor U15s edge past Drifters

With an un-streamed team of 14 players, supplemented by James T from the under 14s, Chinnor leaked an early try before establishing a decent lead going in to half time.

Drifters made the most of their opportunities and scored from the kick-off by getting the ball wide quickly following two breakdowns. The Chinnor players weren't expecting this and had to work to win and retain the ball. Captain Ben G led from the front and successfully disrupted two Drifters line outs where they attempted to maul. The first try came six minutes into the match off a stolen ball from the second of these mauls and was scored by Ben G. Archie B was the next to score after a period of pressure from Chinnor working all the way up the pitch.

The front row of Shaun, Ben N and Sam worked hard at the breakdowns with good support from Archie D and James T on the flanks. Richard carried well and Archie B played intelligently - initially at 8 and then in the back line. The highlight of the forwards play was a driving 30-yard rolling maul that was well controlled and, just as Chinnor was being slowed down, scrum half Josh A called for the ball and spun it out. The resulting play giving the third try (Archie B). A fourth try came before half time with a powerful run from Ben G.

With the wind picking up and the tries generally scored in the corners, only one was converted by fly half Tom. Score at HT 22-5.

The second half saw a reversal of fortune, with both teams going down to 13 players due to injury. Drifters made the most of the extra space and scored twice - three and ten minutes in to the half. Then Chinnor did the same, recycling the ball from contact four or five times before passing it out wide to Dylan at inside centre who ran it in with Will on his shoulder.

There was some good interplay between Eddie at fullback and Josh A at scrumhalf with deft hands to deny the opposition the ball. There was good cover for clearance kicks and Henry had a good game at outside centre making tackles in defence as well as running lines in attack. Eddie was unlucky not to score from a well worked team effort in the corner and Tom was equally unlucky not to score having seen a gap and beaten two defenders.

Drifters than turned the pressure on and scored their third of the half before the match was wrapped up a few minutes early. Final score 27-24. Drifters were good opposition and we wish them well for the rest of the season. A big thank you to James T who stepped up to play and held his own. Plenty to work on, but a win for Chinnor U15s in cold conditions.