Uninspired Chinnor takes the win anyway

IN a lacklustre game throughout, Chinnor did just enough to run out 14-3 winners over Canterbury on Saturday (07/03).

Chinnor had a lot of the possession and territory in the first half, but struggled to convert any of it into points. Chinnor thought they had the first score of the match when Alfie To’oala went over on the ninth minute but was penalised for double movement. From one of their rare first half forays into the Chinnor 22, Canterbury opened the day’s scoring with a penalty goal from fly half Tom Best on 17 minutes. Chinnor eventually got on the scoreboard on 25 minutes when, with Canterbury’s Wake-Smith yellow carded the Chinnor scrum powered to the line with To’oala touching down. Keohane slotted the conversion from the sidelines despite the strong wind which was an unsettling influence throughout the match. Chinnor’s line speed and aggressive defence did much to neutralise Canterbury’s determined efforts throughout the half, with Jack Hayes foremost for Chinnor.

The highpoint of a match in which there were few moments of note came in the 37th minute with Canterbury back to full strength. Taking a pass on his own 10 metre line, Chinnor’s full back, the Teflon coated Jarryd Robinson, skipped and danced through five tacklers centre field to offload a back-of-the-hand pass to the supporting Robbie Martey. Martey, catching the mood, sidestepped his way to dot down under the posts. Keohane added the extras to put the Oxfordshire side 14-3 ahead, five minutes before the interval – a score which remained unchanged until the final whistle.

There was much huff and puff in the second half but the constant stop-start nature of the game nullified the possibility of a score and all were grateful for the final whistle.

Canterbury spent a lot of time zig-zagging across the pitch without much gain – primarily due to Chinnor’s rapid, swarming defence. Chinnor opted for lineouts from every penalty awarded but usually came away second best at the throw. The home side created enough try scoring opportunities but a poor pass or knock on ruined things far too frequently. Jack Hayes had a golden match hunting down anyone who had the temerity to carry the ball anywhere near him and takes the star player plaudit. More precision will reap reward.

Teams
Chinnor: Jaryd Robinson, Robbie Martey, Jack Hayes, Jake Olley, Reuben Haile, Ed Keohane, Frank Jones, Ricardo Cano, Nick Harrison, Guido Cambareri, Darren Oliver, Christian Ostberg, James Tyas, Ryan Long, Alfie To’oala

Interchanges : Ian Stock, Andy Tibbatts, Ben Manning, Reece Boughton, George Blewitt

Canterbury: Martyn Beaumont, Aiden Moss, Ricky Mackintosh, Alex Veale, Mason Rosvall, Tom Best, Grant Kay, Jim Green, Cameron Townley, Alex Wake-Smith, Royce Cadman, Chris Hinkins, Sam Rogers, Ryan Ward, Adam Cathcart

Interchanges : Ollie Best, Neil Wakefield, Sam Kenny, Tom Burns, Connor Wallace-Sims

Scorers
Chinnor
Tries (time): To’oala (25), Martey (37)
Conversions (time): Keohane (25, 38)

Canterbury
Penalty Goals (time): Best (17)

Referee: Ian Bibey
Attendance: 253
Half time score: 14-3
Full time score: 14-3

SOURCE: Contributed