Chinnor doubles Southend Saxons’ score to win

CHINNOR RFC had a strong first half for the first time this season on Saturday (11/10) which helped significantly towards their 42-21 victory over Southend Saxons.

Photo by Peter Matthews

Reuben Haile opened Chinnor’s account with the first of his four tries in the 7th minute. Keohane increased the Chinnor lead to 8-0 with a penalty goal on 13 minutes. After several strong scrums, referee James Clarke lost patience with Chinnor and awarded a penalty try to the visitors from Essex. Ashton’s conversion closed the score to 8-7.

Another penalty goal to Chinnor’s Keohane was followed by two tries from Chinnor in quick succession through Jones and Haile – both benefitting from midfield play making of the highest order from Junior Fatialofa. Keohane’s conversion put the home side 23-7 ahead. With Chinnor’s Manning and Long leading the forward charge, Chinnor were well in command. Their superior back play further demonstrated their sense of urgency with the hat trick try from Haile. The conversion put Chinnor ahead 30-7 at the break.

Southend started the second half well when their scrum continued to pose problems to the home side and eventually their dominance led to a try through number 8 Hudson, converted by Ashton. Southend continued to press in the Chinnor 22 but were rebuffed by a determined home defence. Haile, on the end of a scything backs move, put Chinnor 35-14, Keohane adding the extras. Southend continued to press and their efforts were rewarded  by a try from winger Billings, darting through the cover from 30 metres out. The conversion put the visitors 37-21 behind. In the dying seconds, a determined Jack Hayes bashed his way through several tackles for Chinnor’s final try, to close the match at 42-21 to the Oxfordshire boys.

Southend were well served by their scrum who posed Chinnor problems throughout the match and looked dangerous every time they had set piece possession in the Chinnor 22. A lot of stout defending by the home pack managed to neutralise the Southend scrum superiority. Former Chinnor player, David Jackson was the pick of Southend pack.

Chinnor will be pleased to have made a much earlier start in the game than in previous matches. The side is starting to look more cohesive and the backline looks more settled. Most of the good work in the backline, especially leading up to the tries, was due to the superior running, sidestepping and passing skills of Junior Fatialofa. Martey made a surprisingly high number of tackles. Reuben Haile’s four tries are testament to his natural scoring ability when given good ball in the right areas. In the forwards, Manning and Long were both tough and industrious throughout. However, for his all-round contribution in attack and defence, scrum-half Frank Jones wins the accolade of star player, just shading it from a number of very good candidates.

Teams
Chinnor: Martin Nutt, Robbie Martey, Jack Hayes, Junior Fatialofa, Reuben Haile, Ed Keohane, Frank Jones, Ricardo Cano, Jamie Townsend, Guido Cambareri, Ben Manning, Josh Kroman, Andy Tibbatts, Ryan Long, Alfie To’oala
Interchanges: Joe Winpenny, Dave McKee, Nick Harrison, James Cathcart, Matt Mountford
Southend : Tom Ashton, Mark Billings, Sam Nash, Chris Vaughan, Danny Cleare, Ian Meads, Rhys Powell, Jason Fardell, Marcus Bloomberg, Aston Bevans-Royston, Kris Chesney (c), Harry Hudson, David Jackson, Adam Ferrier, James Kellard
Interchanges: Craig Strachan, Dylan Day-White, Chris Shields, Lester Pollard, Billy Driver

Scorers
Chinnor
Tries (time): Haile (7, 32, 35, 56) Jones (28) Hayes (76)
Conversions (time): Keohane (33, 35, 57)
Penalty Goals (time): Keohane (13, 25)

Southend
Tries: (time): Penalty (19), Hudson (54), Billings (66)
Conversions: (time): Ashton (20, 55, 67)

SOURCE: Contributed by Bill O’Donnell