Titanic defence sinks Taunton Titans and keeps Chinnor on top

HEAVY drizzle greeted both sides as they took to the park for this top of the table clash on Saturday, December 2, which left Chinnor RFC on top of National League Two, South.

Chinnor started positively and scored after just two minutes when a well judged kick ahead by Jonny Bentley found Phil Chesters who gathered cleanly to go over in the corner 5-0. The conversion went wide of the posts. Taunton then dominated possession, as they did almost throughout the game. Chinnor looked dangerous when they had the ball but gave away possession cheaply in the final third and spurned a number of dangerous opportunities.

After a period of Taunton attacking play, a counter by Chinnor lead to an offfside penalty under the posts. Jonny Bentley slotted over making it 8-0. The rest of the half saw Taunton once again monopolise possession but they found it difficult to break through the well organised Chinnor defence which was as disciplined as it was aggressive. Half Time 8-0

The second half was almost a replica of the first 40 minutes. This time a lineout steal 60 m out and some slick handling gave Chinnor the early opening try of the half with Jamel Hamilton going over out wide after 48 mins. Jonny Bentley missed the conversion.

Taunton threw everything they had at the Chinnor defence but the controlled aggression in open play, defensive lineouts and powerful scrummaging, constantly rebuffed the visitors’ assaults. The score remained Chinnor 13-0 until 10 mins from the end, it came as a welcome relief for the Titans when they crossed the Chinnor line. Kenny James swooped in to score in the corner. An excellent touchline conversion by Toby East set up a nail biting final 10 minutes, but Chinnor held strong and sound game management ran the clock down.

Tony Yapp (Taunton) said afterwards: “Two good teams; no quarter given. Disappointed at the start; we gave the opposition an opportunity which they took. Pleased with the second half – a good day for Rugby!”

Matt Williams (Chinnor) said: “ A day of superb defence against a well drilled Taunton attack. Our defence was resilient and brutal. All credit to Taunton!”

Chinnor
Morley, Hutchinson, Gilding, Curry, Ramshaw, Bradlet, Bordill, Waddingham, McDonald, Bentley, Chesters, Dancer, Barnes(cpt), Hamilton,Goss
Reps: Mason, Oliver, Green, Manning, Lamont

Taunton
Baker, Spurdle, Dalton, England, Lugg, Harvey, Vakalutukali, Prior, Banks, Webb, Claydon, East, Mason(cpt) Fraser, Rice
Reps: Francis, Kenny, Oliphant-Thompson, Davis, Brown
Referee – Mr Veryan Boscawen
Assistants – Mr Glenn O’Hara, Mr Simon Bourne
Star Men: Jack Gilding – Outstanding scrummaging
Will Bordill- Simply Fearless!
Attendance 331

REPORT by Ken Vaughan