Chinnor win lifts them one place up from relegation zone

CHINNOR RFC, despite a late rally from visitors Old Elthamians from Chislehurst in Kent, came through to earn much needed points in the National Two South relegation battle, winning 39-31. This fifth win in the last six matches moved the Oxfordshire boys one place further from the relegation zone.

The first half belonged to Chinnor, gaining the bonus point try by the 28th minute. Angell began the scoring with a dart through from midfield after a Chinnor line out from a penalty in the visitors 22. Old Elthamians came back instantly when Olly Vidgeon danced through the midfield to square the scores at 7-7. Chinnor then hit a purple 10 minute patch with tries from Phipps and a double from Oscar Heath (moving him to second in the league’s try scorers table). Minutes later, Fatialofa joined the back of a rolling maul for another try. Fatialofa was then sinbinned and Old Elthamians seized the opportunity to come back with a try on half time from Dewale. White’s conversion saw half time with Chinnor 31-14 to the good.

Although Chinnor scored again quickly after the restart from Lamont, the second half saw the visitors score 17 points to Chinnor’s 8. A try from Dowsett was shortly followed by a penalty try to the visitors from Kent on 68 minutes for collapsing the maul to bring the score back to 36-26. A penalty goal from Angell was countered by a try from Old Elthamians scrum half Matt Bressons just before full time to close the match out at 39-31 to Chinnor.

This a match of two halves. Chinnor, with a dynamic pack, produced good ball for the backs to score freely in the first half – obtaining a bonus point by the 28th minute. In the second half, Chinnor, with a healthy half time lead, appeared to take their foot of the accelerator. Old Elthamians, competitive throughout, began to win the exchanges and created some good scores to run Chinnor close at the end. Chinnor backs played well with Oscar Heath at his insouciant best. The tight five were strong and abrasive – producing a series of highly effective and lengthy rolling mauls. It was a pleasure to see one of Chinnor’s highly regarded Colts, Cameron Hill, make his 1st XV debut. He clearly knows how to tackle. For non-stop effort, Alex Waddingham narrowly pinches the match laurels from his back row colleagues.

SOURCE: Contributed