From the kick off Chinnor were playing into the strong wind. The windy conditions made the early line outs difficult for both sides and the opening quarter was a scrappy affair. The Chinnor defence fielded the inevitable long kicks well.

The first score in the game came after a prolonged period of Chinnor possession. Chinnor kept the ball through a number of phases before Reading Abby managed to clear their 22. The Chinnor pressure continued and resulted in a good turnover ball, which was rapidly shipped out wide. A clever kick through from Will L beat the covering defence and he was able to recover his kick and wrestle over the line to score in the corner. The difficult conversion attempt from Chris B was just short. 5 – 0.

Second half began with scrappy exchanges of free-kicks and line outs. A penalty to Chinnor in Reading Abbey’s half allowed Chinnor to get some continuity going with some good phase play based on strong running and interplay from forwards and backs. A quickly tap penalty 5m out from the Berkshire side's saw the ball moved wide and Henry W was able to power over in the corner. 10 – 0.

Chinnor lost focus a little and the visitors were able to keep possession. A series of line outs moved them into the Chinnor 22. Great defensive work initially kept Reading Abbey at bay, but a quickly taken penalty deep in the Chinnor 22 saw Reading score in the corner. 10 – 5.

Sensible play from Chinnor saw them use the wind to great effect. A series of long kicks deep in to Reading’s 22 kept the pressure on. A Reading Abbey line out was disrupted and Chinnor poured through and recovered the ball. A series of rucks a few metres out from the try line ensued, with Chinnor inching forward. Dan M, sniping through a gap in the defence, eventually scoring. Dylan T was able to add the extras. 17 – 5.

From the kick off, pressure from Reading Abbey kept them in the Chinnor 22. Intense Chinnor defence repelled all the attacks, before a quick tap penalty 5m out, saw the visitors squeeze over in the corner for the try. 17 – 10.

Chinnor used the conditions well, and a combination of long kicks and aggressive defence allowed Chinnor to keep the ball deep in Reading Abbey’s half. The pressure told with Reading giving away series of penalties. Chinnor capitalised and moved inexorably closer to the try line. From a ruck on the Reading Abbey line, the ball was zipped out wide and Tomasz Z dived over for the final score of the game. Final score 22 – 10.

Referee: Mr Rob Alexander
Match Report: Mr Mark Turvey