Chinnor kicked off, and despite good pressure, Quins eventually cleared for a Chinnor line out on the Quins 22. Chinnor kept up the pressure, which saw Quins pinned into their 22, with a series of line-outs and free kicks to both sides. The home team eventually looked to ease the pressure with a long free kick. Chinnor caught the kick in their own half, and promptly ran it back with Chris B, scoring in the corner. The difficult conversion hit the post. 0 – 5.

From the kick off Quins had a series of sustained attacks, with some strong runners from free kicks. Chinnor’s first up tackling was superb and stood firm, soaking up the attacks.

The game turned into a scrappy midfield duel, interspersed with many free-kicks and penalties, though neither side was able to take advantage with both sides defending well. Some tremendous tactical kicking saw Chinnor make ground well into Quins half, which allowed the Chinnor forwards to put some great pressure on the opposition's line-outs. As a result, Chinnor continued to make ground deep into Quins 22, before a penalty allowed Quins to finally clear their lines and relieve the pressure.

The second half started with a Quins kick off, fielded by Chinnor who exited well. A series of Quins penalties put them deep into Chinnor’s 22 for a series of attacks, but Chinnor’s defence held strong. Another penalty only 10m from Chinnor try line saw Quins big ball carriers attempt to break through the line. Ferocious tackling and aggressive defence from Chinnor stopped them dead, and a tremendous defensive effort - including making a vital a turnover - allowed Chinnor to clear their lines.

As the half went on, it became an increasingly scrappy game, fragmented by the large number of free kicks and penalties, with neither team able to get quick clean ball or any continuity. A series of messy midfield exchanges and half breaks ended as Chinnor got the ball wide and made one of the few clean breaks in the game. Good running and interplay between both backs and forwards saw Chinnor make further ground into Quins final third. Good Quins defence kept Chinnor out.

As the clock ran down, the intensity went up - with frantic defence on both sides. A tremendous Chinnor cover tackle nullified a Quins break, with the entire Chinnor team back quickly to shore up the defence against an increasingly desperate Quins. A great Chinnor defensive effort ended with a penalty and a Yellow Card for high tackle. Chinnor were down to 14 for the last 10 minutes whilst Quins had a line out on the Chinnor 22. Again, a phenomenal defensive shift and press from Chinnor saw the pressure lifted. Chinnor generated a series of rapid rucks with good quick ball that, along with some great running and fantastic support play saw them move down field to well inside the Quins half.

The dying seconds of the game saw a series of free kicks awarded to Quins, starting just on the halfway line. Typifying the game, hard tackling and sheer defensive effort by Chinnor stamped out the last Quins attacks. Final whistle and the final score: Quins 0 – Chinnor 5

An extremely well earned and exceptionally hard fought win with only a single score separating the sides. Ultimately, the tremendous collective defensive effort by Chinnor, with no quarter given and everyone tackling hard, saw the game out.

Match report: Mr Mark Turvey
Photos: Mr David Metcalf