Chinnor Seconds Spirited Win Against North Walsham

CHINNOR RFC Match Report – Chinnor 2nd, 21 Pts vs. North Walsham 2nd, 11 Pts. Date: 30th September – Away League Game.
Scorers
Tries: Rob Arther, Adam White.
Conversions: Gareth Duder x 1
Penalties: Gareth Duder x 3

ANOTHER great game played by two good sides and in the spirit that all rugby games should be played. Fair, but with no quarter given, the hits came in hard and it was played at a fast pace but this time the Chinnor boys came out on top.
Chinnor were forced to defend well for the first twenty minutes and went down to a penalty and a try in this period. With only fifteen players available for Chinnor, and no replacements, North Walsham made rolling changes with twenty players.
Matt Woodward injured his arm with a possible fracture after 10 minutes, but stayed on playing in absolute pain knowing it would jeopardise the game if he left the field, as did Andy Millburn who had an injury with a finger in the eye. This gave him a lot of trouble for the whole game but he too persevered. They both have to be commended for their conviction and team spirit.

During the next twenty minutes Chinnor settled down but tried too hard and lacked patience, and as a result they wasted some good scoring opportunities.
North Walsham succeeded with another penalty in the 10th minute of injury time and the first half finished 11- nil to North Walsham.

After a good chat at half time between Captain Tom Whelan and a few players, the boys came back on fire. The pack dominated the opposition, the backs clicked and Chinnor had their first points within three minutes of the start with a good try by young wing Rob Arther in the corner. The forwards kept up the pressure and were rewarded with two penalties in the 16th and 30th minutes. Gareth Duder turned these into points with some good kicking and the score was equal at 11 all. Rob Fenwick (Fenners) was very vocal on the field, which helped to gee up the team and appeared to encourage everyone. Chinnor took the lead with another great kick by Duder from somewhere near the halfway line.
Finally in the eighth minute of injury time, Adam White ran in a superb try which was well converted by Duder and Chinnor seconds got their first win in the Canterbury Shield League.

Man of the match Gareth Duder, but fourteen other inspirational players did their club proud.

Walter McGuicken