Indiscipline costs Chinnor dear

CHINNOR RFC were out to avenge a two-point defeat by Bury St Edmunds at the start of the season,  and began well on Saturday, with Bernie Hopkin kicking a penalty after ten minutes.

Chinnor forwards had to fight hard to maintain possession. This paid dividends when quick handling put Marcus Beer away to sprint to the corner to score Chinnor’s first try, well converted by Hopkins. Chinnor then faced a setback when skipper James Tyas had to leave the field with an injured shoulder. Bury St Edmunds rallied their efforts to get a penalty kicked by No 10, Lyle.

This prompted Chinnor into attack. Again the forwards provided qood possession for slick handling in the backs with missed moves in the centre passing to full back Oscar Heath. He carved his way through the Bury defence on two occasions and outpaced their cover to score two unconverted tries. Chinnor went in at half time with a 20 – 3 point lead.

Bury St Edmunds started the second half with more determination and soon put away winger Affleck to score a try converted by Lyle. Chinnor responded with what was thought to be a match-winning try which was disallowed due to Frank Jones obstructing one of the opposition preventing him from tackling. Jones was sin binned for 10 minutes in which time Bury St Edmunds scored another converted try to bring the score to 17 – 20.

Bury St Edmunds forwards began to dominate and their fly half kicked deep into Chinnor’s half to maintain pressure on Chinnor’s try line. Chinnor defended well until the last three minutes when the referee awarded Bury St Edmunds a penalty try for continued offences by Chinnor. Lyle converted to give Bury St Edmonds a 24 – 20 point victory. Yet another frustrating defeat for Chinnor which keeps them in the relegation zone.

SOURCE: By Doug Humphries