Chinnor clinch victory in a close encounter in Kent

THIS promised to be a cracking game with Chinnor reeling from last week’s defeat to top of the table Cinderford, and with Tonbridge Juddians bouyant on a six game winning streak. However, wet and muddy conditions limited the impact of both teams’ attacks.

Tonbridge set off with a flying start, charging at Chinnor from the kick off, then intercepting a flick pass, allowed their left wing, Watson, to sprint to the corner to score an unconverted try in the first minute.

Chinnor slowly recovered and began counter attacking. The Chinnor forwards adapted to the adverse conditions with driving and rolling mauls, sucking in the opposition. After six phases of possession they passed the ball wide to winger Phil Chesters, who rounded the TJ’s defence to score out wide. Johnny Bentley converted to give Chinnor a 7 – 5 point lead after 15 minutes.

A period of indiscipline by Chinnor cost them dearly as skipper Barnes was given a yellow card for talking back to the referee. Then, just before half time, full back Holland was sin binned for an alleged deliberate knock on. Tonbridge’s fly half converted the resulting penalty to give them an 8 – 7 point lead at the interval.

Just after half time Chinnor prop, Cano, was given a third Yellow card for collapsing a scrum, reducing Chinnor to 13 players who nevertheless, defended so well. However, the constant pressure from Tonbridge told in the end when, following several forward drives, they attacked on the blind side enabling flanker Varney to score in the corner. The try was unconverted but gave Tonbridge a 13 – 7 point lead.

With Chinnor back to their full 15 players, they began to attack the Tonbridge half. As the pitch turned into a mud bath, both the Chinnor half backs, Goodfellow and Bentley, kicked deep into the Tonbridge half to gain territorial advantage. The last 10 minutes saw a resurgent Chinnor drive forcefully into the Tonbridge 22 metre area. From a five metre scrum, scrum half Greg Goodfellow did his trade mark, “dummy, dart and dive” to score under the posts with Bentley adding the conversion.

Tonbridge tried to get back into the game but Chinnor’s defence stood resolute for the last five minutes to earn a well-deserved but nail biting 14 – 13 point victory to maintain their second place, play off position in the league.

Next week Chinnor face bottom of the table Broadstreet at home.

SOURCE: Contributed