No end to Chinnor’s winning streak

CHINNOR RFC’s good form of recent weeks continued with a comprehensive victory over Worthing by 38-8, on Saturday (March 05).

Worthing opened the day’s score with a penalty goal by McLean after 17 minutes of hard rugby – rewarding the pressure the visitors produced in the first quarter. Chinnor, comfortable in defence for the first quarter, grew into the game and good work to progress the ball up the pitch led to their first try. An exquisite cross field kick allowed Oscar Heath to go over for Chinnor’s first try of the day and a 7-3 lead – thanks to Angell’s bendy, wind-assisted conversion.

Worthing mounted a series of attacks from a five-metre lineout. From a ruck in front of the posts, Chinnor skipper, Tyas, scooped the ball back illegally and was binned by referee Robbie Bourke. From the resultant penalty, a passage of broken play saw Worthing go ahead 8-7 with an unconverted try from Coxon-Smith. This proved to be their last score of the day. Chinnor replied, courtesy of Phipps, as the referee looked to blow for half time.

Ahead 14-8 at the break, Chinnor quickly increased their lead after Waddingham dotted down from a rolling maul after a penalty lineout. Angell’s parabolic conversion showed mastery of the difficult wind – a trick he repeated throughout the half. Another Chinnor try from debutant Jack Andrew saw the bonus point and a 26-8 lead, again with Angell’s kicking skills to the fore. Another period of Chinnor pressure saw Phipps slip a high speed pass to Manning for the fifth try. As Worthing pressed in the dying minute, Heath executed his interception party piece for a 90 metre trot to the line to see Chinnor win 38-8.

This was a most competent display from Chinnor. Worthing struggled, despite having enough good ball, to break the resolute Chinnor defence. Kiba Richards, always a threat for Worthing, was well marshalled and in Patrick White, Worthing have discovered a player of great potential.

The Chinnor pack played very well with a tough back row and an impressive debut from lock, Nathan Hannay. The back row were most energetic and the tight five tackled well throughout. Heath did his usual – a smartly taken try early on followed by a trademark interception at the death. Goss is an assured full back and Angell’s place kicking in a very difficult wind was exemplary. Marcus Beer did much, perhaps unnoticed, good work. Nathan Hannay was just pipped by Phipps as Star Man. Jonathan Phipps popped up everywhere – turnovers, a try, a smart pass for Mannings’ try and a lot of tackles.

Teams

Chinnor
Kieran Goss, Oscar Heath, Marcus Beer, Junior Fatialofa, Henry Lamont, Sam Angell, Frank Jones, Santiago Sodini, Jonathan Phipps, Andy Darlington, Nathan Hannay, Ben Manning, James Tyas, Alex Waddingham, George Messum

Interchanges: Jamie Townsend, Jack Andrew, Joe Vandermolen, Tom Burns, Scott Gibson

Worthing
Matt McLean, Matt Farnes, Ben Loosmore, Kiba Richards, Finlay Coxon-Smith, Kieran Leeming, Dan Peach, Ryan Storer, Joe Watson-Brooks, Dan Sargent, Scott Barlow, James Arthur, Patrick White, Sam Hewick, Liam Perkins

Interchanges: Elliott Luke, Jon Whittall, Jordan Gibson, Sean Richardson, Loewy Simmons

Scorers

Chinnor
Tries (time): Heath (29, 80), Phipps (40), Waddingham (42), Andrew (64), Manning (70)
Conversions (time): Angell (30, 40, 43, 66)
Penalty Goals (time):

Worthing
Tries (time): Coxon-Smith (35)
Conversions (time):
Penalty Goals (time): McLean (17)

Referee: Robbie Bourke
Attendance: 303
Half time score: 14-8
Full time score: 38-8
Star man: Jonathan Phipps (Chinnor)