Chinnor narrowly lose close encounter with Clifton

A second half rally by Clifton takes the points – CLIFTON 29 – CHINNOR 26 –  Clifton went straight on to the attack but an interception took play into the Clifton half.  A driving run by lock Nathan Hannay led the Chinnor pack close to Clifton’s line enabling Captain, James Tyas to score an unconverted try in the corner.

After 20 minutes Chinnor extended their lead with a Sam Angell penalty. Clifton responded immediately with a well worked three quarters’ move putting winger Pomphrey away to score an unconverted try. Five minutes later Clifton drew level with a penalty taken by fly half Mackay. Play remained fairly even with both sides adding a further penalty conversion by Angell and Mackay.

Chinnor forwards then went through a period of domination with several phases of rolling mauls taking them into Clifton’s 22 metre area. A blindside break then gave Tyas his second try which went unconverted and put Chinnor back in the lead. A Mackay penalty for Clifton just before half time reduced Chinnor’s lead to 16 – 14.

In the second half Clifton had the advantage of the slope and their pressure was rewarded with a penalty converted by Mackay. However, five minutes later Chinnor snatched the lead back with another Angell penalty conversion. In the last 20 minutes the Clifton pack provided their speedy backs with plenty of attacking opportunities from which flanker Luckwell and fly half Mackay both scored tries with Mackay converting one of these.

In the last three minutes the Chinnor forwards rallied and drove deep into Clifton territory with Nathan Hannay crossing the line for a try, converted by Angell.

This was a disappointing defeat for Chinnor having been in the lead for most of the game. Nevertheless the narrow score line of 29 – 26 earned them a much needed losing bonus point and keeps them out of the relegation zone.

SOURCE: Contributed by Bill O’Donnell