So near yet so far for Chinnor RFC

CHINNOR had a positive start to the game against Dorking on Saturday, with their early pressure resulting in a penalty converted by full back, Bertie Hopkin and Dorking attacks being stifled by the excellent tackling of returning fly half, Will Millett.

Chinnor’s pack took control in the first 15 minutes with their scrum consistently driving Dorking back. A long kick by Dorking into Chinnor’s 22m area bounced kindly for their winger Irving, who scored an unconverted try in the corner. Chinnor maintained their dominance and a quickly recycled ball allowed skipper James Tyas to score Chinnor’s opening try converted by Hopkin.

Two injuries to Chinnor’s new lockm Spiveym and No 8 Manning, saw replacements Andy Berry and Joe Vandermolen take to the field, the latter scoring a push over try converted by Hopkin to give Chinnor a comfortable 17 – 5 lead.

Will Millet was given a yellow card for tackling an opponent whilst in the air giving Dorking the opportunity to take advantage of a depleted Chinnor. MacDonald kicked a penalty for Dorking soon followed by their fly half, Pimlow making a break from his 22m area then feeding winger, Irvin who weaved his way through the Chinnor defence to score under the posts. MacDonald converted to bring the half time score to 17 – 15 in favour of Chinnor.

Chinnor started well in the second half with driving mauls coupled with good defence. Dorking’s flanker was given a yellow card for foul play. Junior Fatialofa then made a powerful break deep into Dorking’s half and sustained pressure gave Chinnor a penalty converted by Hopkin to extend their lead to 20 – 15.

Dorking later drew level through a counter attack allowing fly half Pimlow to score an unconverted try in the corner. This gave Dorking the confidence to attack but the tackling of flanker Ryan Long kept them at bay. Dorking persisted and from a 5m scrum they switched the play one way, then the other to put Woodcock over for an unconverted try and give them 25 – 20 point lead.

Chinnor responded well with a surging break by centre Jack Adams, and from the resulting lineout and driving maul, Jamie Townsend drove over to score and return the lead to Chinnor, 27- 25 following Hopkin’s conversion. But just when Chinnor thought they were back to winning ways on a final attack, they were dispossessed of the ball in the Dorking half. A kick and chase of the Butball to the Chinnor try line, saw winger, Irving touch down to complete his hat trick and give Dorking a 30 – 27 victory, denying Chinnor their first victory of the season.

SOURCE – Contributed by Bill O’Donnell