Another win for the resurgent Chinnor RFC Vets (Contributed)

THE old guard of the Chinnor RFC Oxen(Vets) XV ensured their march up the mighty Thames Valley INVITATIONAL League continues, when they went to Farnham Common to play a much fancied Drifters 2nds XV last Saturday (6/12/).
Fielding a largely unchanged side from their 33 ? 0 thrashing of a previously undefeated Marlow 4th team some two weeks ago, they arrived with confidence mixed with a little uncertainty.

There was an enforced change at loose head seeing an interchanging of the Craigs with Smith making way for Jones, Mike Wiltshire coming in to Hook, ?Stumpy? reprising his role at Tight Head, Messrs Reynolds & DeGlanville at 2nd Row and a back row comprising of Jon Brooks at 8, Mike ?No Kit? Bailey on the open side and Neal Gilbert on the blind.

The Oxen reaped the benefit of a hugely experienced back line, with a guest appearance from Bill Deely and further comprising of Doug Humphries, Dave Wells, Josh Hill, John Sellars, Tim Wright, Ben Forward, Paul Ewens, a farewell performance by Jamie Spencer and a 2nd half cameo from Jeremy Philpott.

The story was almost a carbon copy of the Marlow match with the back row starving the opposition of any meaningful possession and the backs looking dangerous every time they got the ball, meaning that Drifters never stood a chance, even in their own back yard. The tries came from Tim, Wright, Mike Wiltshire & Jon Brooks, Dave Wells slotting each of the conversions to ensure the extra points, and a consolation score for the Drifters making the Chinnor side eventual 21 ? 5 winners.

With a break in League fixtures for Christmas, can the Oxen keeping the momentum going? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, the other teams in the League are looking at the results with nervous interest.