In a pulsating encounter in the National Under 18s Cup, Chinnor Colts progressed to the second round after a late try levelled the match and with tries and conversions equal the away team prevailed.

The home team started the game well and used their well drilled line out driving maul to good effect. Early territory and Chinnor indiscipline allowed Oxford to encamp in Chinnor’s 22 and dive over for an early lead, 5-0. A repeat of the tactic led to another penalty which this time they opted to kick to extend the lead to 8-0.

Chinnor were managing to get a foothold in the game and some astute kicking from Ed and James started to put the pressure on Quins. Cam plucked the ball from a Marathon’s lineout and stormed dangerously into their 22, a relieving kick was run back by Chinnor and Nathan was tackled just short of the line. From the resulting scrum a nice backs move released Nathan to score under the posts, Ed converted 8-7. Chinnor then took the lead after sustained pressure late in the half gave Ed a penalty in front, 8-10.

Unfortunately the boys did not deal well with the restart and a poor clearance followed by an unnecessary penalty gave the Old Boys another chance to show their driving maul prowess which they took smartly and went into half-time 13-10 up.

The second half was to prove equally as close and competitive but it was Chinnor’s turn to show dominance up front with the addition of Mac and Henry W a big turning point. Mac proved extremely powerful in the tight and certainly put the home side on the back foot in their scrummage and Henry was a constant presence at the breakdown with his chop tackling and jackalling.

An early Ed penalty evened things up at 13-13 but Oxford hit back immediately to again retake the lead 16-13 but this was after some heroic defence on our line which proved a turning point, having repulsed wave after wave of the home side’s big runners.

Chinnor then launched attacks of their own and after a flowing move in the backs Nathan seemed certain to score but was seemingly high tackled into touch. From a resulting lineout Chinnor showed they also had a driving maul in their Armoury which led to Cam sneaking over quarterback style to retake the lead, 16-18.

As the game entered its final stages Chinnor seemed to have a degree of control and were keeping the home side at arms length. The discipline had improved and they were denying the opposition a chance to launch their driving maul. However, a lapse in concentration close to the ruck was exploited by Oxford’s 9 who scampered through the hole and round the defence to retake the lead and seemingly the match, 23-18.

Chinnor though showed superb battling spirit and will to win and immediately launched a series of attacks in the dying minutes. Joseph broke deep into the 22 and was hauled down inches from the line by some desperate defence,’ Johnny on the Spot’ Tom Bridges picked up from the tackle and dotted down, 23-23.

Conversion was missed which led to the management team go scrambling for the cup regulations, which Carl had neatly printed out. After a quick check and double check was the realization we would be going through if the boys took the restart and kicked it out as the referee had called last play. Not so simple as Nathan mounted another attack and went on a mazy 70 metre run beating numerous defenders. A penalty to Chinnor…Kick the ball dead? Go for the posts 25 metres out? Kick for touch? No a tap and go was now sending the entire team and supporters into cardiac territory made even worse when Chinnor then transgressed and gave Oxford one last chance. Thankfully this was repelled and the final whistle was eventually blown.

A hugely entertaining game of high quality played in excellent spirit from both sides.