In sunny and windy conditions, Chinnor kicked off and it was all Ealing to start off with. Good tackles from front row players Joshua S and Louis A, followed by a clearance kick from full back Chris B staved off the pressure, but it was not long before Ealing's competent fly half broke through to score a converted try three minutes into the match. 0-7.

A long kick at the restart was taken back over the try line by the visitors and Chinnor had a chance to put Ealing under pressure, but lost the ball in a ruck. They then stole it back only to knock on. Ealing possession, then a kick through and a kick back. Ealing now trying to clear their own 22 and under pressure. Chinnor secure a penalty and set up a blistering run from Olly S (#10) only to be stopped by solid Ealing defence. Then time off for an Ealing injury and unrelated handbags.

Then very even until Ealing gave away a penalty, but first time round Chinnor could not complete. On the second attempt, through several sets of hands, Dylan T went over to open for Chinnor. Converted by Chris B. 7-7.

Restart caught by Gus B and the ball secured before it was passed out to Eddie C on the wing for a great run. Again stopped by excellent Ealing defence. It took an interception and a 20 yard sprint from captain Harry B to put the hosts in front. Not converted. 12-7.

First interchange as Ollie J came on for an injured George L. On the restart Chinnor gathered well, but the kick through was too long and soon it was all Ealing. Chinnor managed to stop a threatening maul, but then gave away a penalty. With the advantage, Ealing's forwards bullied their way over for their second try. Not converted. 12-12 with 25 minutes played.

Further interchanges as Magnus P and Ollie J came on in the pack as did Rosco R and Jude H on the wings, as well as a change at scrum half. Play was now all in Ealing's half, but the hosts gave away a further penalty and worked hard to win the ball back. Ealing then won it back at the ruck before knocking on. An excellent combination of Olly S, Toby C (at inside centre) sent Rosco for a great run down the wing. The visitor's defence was, as earlier, good and Chinnor were stopped and stripped of the ball.

Half time was called, a quick team talk and then the heavens opened! Now it was all Ealing and Chinnor found themselves kicking against the wind to just clear their 22. Ealing were looking threatening and the hosts were sometimes slow to press. Eventually the damn burst and Ealing's big ball carriers pushed their way over for a converted try. 12-19.

Then the visitors gave away a penalty and Chinnor worked into Ealing's half, spinning the ball through hands to Jude H who was stopped on the 22. The ball was then recycled through several players, including Ben G who had found his stride, before the backs sent Toby C over. The try was duly converted. 19-19.

Then it was all Ealing's possession with a well worked exit from their 22. They were looking good until they knocked on and then gave away a penalty. Chinnor then knocked on but salvaged it by seizing the moment and diving on a loose ball. This then set Dylan T up to go ever with Chris B adding the extras. 26-19.

Scrappy play followed for a few minutes. Ealing were dominant in the scrums, but Chinnor still managed to win their own. Max M stood out for his work effort - he, and all the forwards, were having to stop hard running ball carriers one after the other. Ealing were very quick onto the Chinnor scrum half, forcing a knock on and it was all their way. Chinnor found themselves offside and Ealing capitalised by rolling their maul over the line for an unconverted try 26-24.

With the weather improving, Chinnor then put Ealing under pressure for a few minutes, but they stayed resolute and won a penatly which saw them back on the half way line. More scrappy play and a silly kick of the ball quite clearly after a knock on saw Chinnor penalised. Ealing made the most of this with repeated 'pick & gos' to get their fifth try of the match. Duly converted 26-31.

With only minutes to the final whistle, Chinnor were back on the offensive with all the play in the visitor's half, and much of it in their 22. Repeated attacks at their defensive line were repelled, but each time Chinnor managed to retain possession. Then came a penalty advantage and the backs (and the coaching staff) were screaming for the ball to be shipped out. Chinnor kept battering at Ealing's defences and then spun the ball out for Toby C to go over the whitewash. Now 31-31, with the conversion to win the game.... The ball was successfully kicked over the bar and final whistle blew 33-31.

The match could have gone either way and both teams made small errors which they will no doubt want to address. Equally, both teams will be pleased to have secured five tries against good opposition. Ealing are a force to be reckoned with and the Chinnor Colts look forward to the return fixture in February.

Today's team was made of Louis A, Harry B, Max M, Gus B, Sam G, George L, Josh A, Toby C, Jude H, Sam T, Joshua S, Shaun B, Magnus P, Ollie J, Ben G, Chris B, Rosco P, Dylan T, Dan M, Eddie , Olly S & Joe H.

Our thanks to those who came to support today's match on Pitch 1, especially to Harry R, Adam M and Tom F who video-ed and photographed the match.

Referee: Mr Scott de Weymarn (OSRFR)
Attendance: 67