Chinnor Colts edge a win over Warwickshire side

The 20 Chinnor Colts available for the second friendly fixture of the half term holiday, were determined to get a win against visiting side Shipston-on-Stour. It was by no means a certainty and both sides made errors that would leave points un-scored.

The opening kick of the match was knocked on by the visitors only for them to show how strong they were in the scrum. Two penalties awarded to Chinnor were not converted, despite some good ball distribution by Sam T (#9) and Ollie S (at fly half). Then, thanks to a knock on by Shisptson, Chinnor were given an opportunity and Ben S (at outside centre) went over in the corner for an unconverted try. 5-0.

It was then all Shipston's possession for a while. Chinnor resisted well, including putting in some good clearance kicks, but the visitors kept coming back in Chinnor's 22. A try saving tackle by Chris B (at full back) gave Chinnor a momentary breather, but a penalty at the maul gave the visitors another chance and they were clinical - right across the pitch from the lineout - until their winger fumbled the ball. Another breather, but Shipston turned the ball over and one of their props trundled over for a score that was duly converted. 5-7.

Play then settled down with Chinnor looking promising in attack. The front row of Oli D, Adam M and Louis A, along with locks Gus B and Ed M were working hard against a determined opposition. Another knock on, another penalty and the visitors were back on the front foot. Two further penalties meant that Shipston were camped near the try line and eventually they went over in the corner for an unconverted try. 5-12.

Just before the half-time whistle Chinnor had two good attacking runs on either side of the pitch with the forwards securing the ball and it being distributed through several sets of hands to release Will F on the wing. Good cover tackles from Shipston prevented any score, but this was Chinnor playing more expansive rugby.

A strong bench of Ollie J (coming on at hooker), Harry R (prop), Joe H (wing), Josh R (centre) and Dan M (at scrum half) came on at half time and provided a seamless transition. The half started with same knock-ons and penalties from the first half and it was not long before the referee penalised the hosts for repeated penalties and soon they were temporarily down to 14 players.

Whatever captain Ben M said to the team seemed to work. During the next few minutes the work rate was up, Finn S pulled off an excellent steal and the visitors started to give away penalties. Adam M charged down a kick, only for an unlucky bounce which gave Shipston an opportunity to run. A try-saving tackle from Joe H, as stand-in #9, put an end to that, but Shipston were still putting pressure on. Ben M's workrate, along with that of George L, set an example to others and eventually the pressure from Chinnor forced errors from the visitors.

With the penalty advantage being played, from inside their own half, Ollie S (now at full back) ran an exceptional line and had the ball popped to him at just the right moment to slice through two defenders. Others tried to get to him, with no avail and the 14-player side scored and converted to even things up. 12-12.

Chinnor's scrum had settled, and the early dominance of the visitors was no longer. Chinnor secured a penalty and it was now the visitors time to be warned the referee. Play settled briefly, but an infringement at a breakdown saw the visitor's captain (#13) sent to the sin-bin. Chinnor, now with a sniff of winning, turned down the option to kick to goal and instead went on the hunt for a try. They tried first in the far corner, but were not let through (despite a good run from Josh R), so came back across the pitch to then pile on the pressure with pod after pod inching forward. After several knocks at the door, Harry R went over for a well-worked try. This was duly converted by Chris B who had his kicking boots on. 19-12.

The final whistle beckoned, but not before Chinnor had tried again, this time with Jude H offloading beautifully before being unceremoniously being bundled into touch. Two unsung heros of today's match were Ollie J standing in at hooker and Toby C at inside centre - both made good contributions both in attack and in defence.

Our thanks go to the visitors who traveled from deepest, darkest Warwickshire for the fixture. We look forward to the return fixture later in the season. Final thanks to all the Chinnor supporters who turned out to see the Colts play.

Referee: Mr Granville Williams (OSRFR)
Photos: Mr David Metcalf