Close Clash For Chinnor (Contributed)

Chinnor 22pts Clifton 19 pts

THIS top of the table clash was always going to be too close to call as it proved. In a fast, entertaining game, Chinnor just prevailed when with the last kick of the game, Clifton’s prolific goalkicker, John Barnes failed with a 45 metre attempt to level the scores.
Chinnor scored first when, after early Clifton pressure, they broke out of their half for the first time following a scrum in the middle of the field. Darren Oxley broke through the centre to
hand onto Rewi Tolich who found Matt Buckley up in support to score. A penalty three minutes later from Richard Williams put Chinnor eight points
ahead. Two penalties by John Barnes reduced the deficit. Richard Williams then kicked another penalty for the home side with Barnes having the last
say of the half with a drop goal. Another Williams penalty gave Chinnor a five-point cushion. A crunching tackle by young Ed Devine gained Chinnor a
turn-over which they used to good effect with the ball travelling through several hands before going out to Lloyd Hoogstander who had a clear run into
the corner. Another penalty from Barnes again kept Clifton in the game.
Then came a scintillating try from Thomas Lambert who took the final pass following a move that began in Clifton’s 22.
A Barnes’ conversion set up the final 10 minutes, culminating in the final penalty attempt.