Witney U15s make Chinnor work for their win!

It could not have been a colder day at Chinnor with the thermometer recording a balmy one degree when Witney emerged from the changing rooms looking for a scalp. From the off, they used their pack to repeatedly pick and go making yards every time. This gave them some territorial advantage and Chinnor only gained possession from an occasional knock on.

Chinnor had to defend and of note in the first quarter of the match were the chop tackles of Archie D, Owen B and Harry R. Will V produced a great clearance kick, but this was not getting Chinnor any possession. After the first ten minutes, things started to settle and Chinnor secured the ball and started through the phases. Quite understandably, there were knock-ons - often from an effective tackle - from both teams. Chinnor then had a better passage of play with resulted in Ben M getting over the line to put the score 5-0.

This gave Chinnor a little confidence and after some good work by Louis, Gus and Archie B, the ball was spun out to Dylan at outside centre, who through a combination of speed, agility and fending off ran 40 yards to bring the score to 10-0. Josh E was on his outside in support and the try never looked in doubt.

Witney came back with a well considered and executed kick from the #10 over the heads of the fast moving defenders. It bounced beautifully and was duly gathered and run in by their pacey centre. 10-5.

Ben G, who captained the side, showed his prowess repeatedly in mauls either driving through or disrupting Witney's maul. It was off the back of a maul where Chinnor ripped the ball from Witney before getting it out to Toby at inside centre who took the ball into contact making vital yards. It was as the ball was next recycled that Will V saw his opportunity and slipped through the smallest of gaps to score. 17-5 going in to half time.

The second half was not dissimilar to the first with Witney strong up front and probing every time they had the opportunity. Chinnor spilt the ball a couple of times and produced one forward pass which undid some good yards made. Despite this, the defence held strong and the players did not let Witney through. Chinnor dominated the lineouts though Witney had the edge in the scrum.

Chinnor did give away a couple of penalties (offside at the breakdown) and were lucky only to incur being marched back 10 for back-chat. The match was otherwise played in good spirit and well managed.

The highlight of the match was the rolling maul off a Chinnor line-out which was driven half way down the pitch with the ball perfectly secure in Ben M's hands with Josh A directing. A text-book line-out and a well deserved fourth try of the game.

There were good performances from Eddie and Josh E on the wings, Ben S at full back and good cover provided the centres. The defence was sound with clear communication and no one shirking from their tackles. Josh A stood out for the way in which he organised the pack. Ed M and Ben N came off the bench to bring some new legs to the pack and Dan M came on at #9. It was a great team effort and the players should be pleased with their performance against a tough opposition.

Final score: 22-5

Referee: Dan Shotton (OSRFR)