Friday night match experiment ‘success’ despite a loss for Chinnor

A PROUD Matt Williams, the team’s Director of Rugby, hailed Chinnor’s Friday night experiment a success despite a narrow defeat to Rams in a rip-roaring contest.

Chinnor lock Ehize Ehizode taking on Rams – Picture credit – David Howlett

The Berkshire visitors clinched a 21-17 win at Kingsey Road, but the home side dominated the second half and felt they should have completed a memorable comeback from 21-3 down.

With 1,020 spectators being treated to a thrilling game in Chinnor’s first Friday night league fixture, Williams was delighted the occasion proved such a success, attracting the largest attendance of the season. “The crowd were unbelievable,” he said. “The Friday night experiment was nothing short of majestic. I’ve never seen so many people here and as a paying member of the public, you got to experience a really great game of rugby.”

Chinnor trailed 21-3 after 44 minutes of the National League 1 contest, but went on to take control. Tries from Jason Worrall and James Tyas hauled the Thame-based side to within four points with still more than 20 minutes to go. But, despite creating a number of chances, Chinnor were unable to cross again and had a lineout five metres out stolen in virtually the last play as they looked to clinch the latest of victories.

Williams added: “I’m absolutely gutted. After we gifted them a try at the start of the second half, we were galvanised; we suddenly played high-tempo rugby, and we took them apart for 35 minutes.

“We dominated the scrum against a team who are meant to be the best scrum team, and our lineout, which has been our bread and butter, let us down. As proud as I am of the boys, and I’m really proud of them for the performance they put in after that try at the start of the second half. I’m also gutted because we butchered three – maybe even four – scoring chances to get that winning try and that’s not good enough.

“So the boys are hurting now because they put their body, heart and soul into that second half. But all credit to Rams. At the end of the day, you can’t suddenly, with 35 minutes of the game left, decide to play rugby because in the first half I thought Rams were exceptional.”

Chinnor are back on their travels this weekend, with an away trip to Bishops Stortford.