Away loss to Sedgley Tigers

Chinnor failed to capitalise on their excellent performances last week with a close loss away to Sedgley Park. Chinnor could not snatch victory in the last moments when a driving maul was disrupted 2 metres from Sedgley’s line and was adjudged held up. In reality this would have been a lucky escape after an erratic and ill disciplined performance gave Park’s metronomic 10 far too many chances to build a lead. 15 points from penalties all from 40 metres was too much of an advantage to claw back.
Chinnor started slowly and were immediately on the back foot, seemed to incur the wrath of the referee and were 6-0 down after 10 minutes. Things got worse when Park scored their first try on 32 minutes, 13-0.
Chinnor then seemed to wake up and started playing some excellent rugby based on the forwards gaining dominance at the setpiece. A Carter box kick was superbly taken by Joe Browning who sprinted away from several covering tacklers then unselfishly fed Nick Smith on the inside who dotted down unopposed under the sticks, 13-7 with Bourton conversion.
Chinnor were now really in their stride and surprisingly looked like they had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time. An excellent Price 50/22 kick gave a lineout 15 metres out. A catch and drive saw Hardwick put the supporting Carter into a gap and under the posts. Frustratingly the referee deemed an obstruction, which nobody else had picked up.
The feeling was Chinnor were now in top and with the slope advantage in our favour it was a game ready to be won. Unfortunately ill discipline again emerged as we overplayed in our third and Seals was again on target, 16-7. Park then counter attack from a Carter kick and scored a rather too easy try on 55 minutes to take a big 21-7 lead.
Again it was in adversity that Chinnor started to play with more intensity and physicality. Sustained pressure saw Chinnor held up over the line but came racing back and done slick handling saw Passman crash over to narrow the lead, Bourton again converting 21-14.
With 10 minutes to go Chinnor again gave away kickable penalties and Park extended the lead to 27-14.
Chinnor showed their mettle and immediately responded with a clever move saw Bourton score and then convert , 27-21.
With 2 minutes remaining Chinnor launched a sustained attack from deep which gave them an attacking lineout metres from Park’s line but are not able to force themselves over to steal the win at the death.

Chance to get back to winning ways on Saturday as the Men’s 1st XV host Cinderford in the 3pm kick off.

Report by John Vaughan