Changed Side Chinnor Fail To Capitalise

CHINNOR travelled to the Prince of Wales Stadium for the Second round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup on Saturday. Thirteen changes from last week’s starting line-up giving the coaches an opportunity to look at the talent waiting in the wings.
This was a bold decision as Cheltenham are lying third in South West Two. The early exchanges vindicated this move with Chinnor starting in a most positive manner. They were certainly a match up front, with Bob Harris and Andy Millburn taking the game to the opposition. However it was Cheltenham who opened the scoring when they created overlap to allow prop Shaun Gilder to crash over in the 12th minute. This was quickly followed by another Cheltenham score some four minutes later, when winger Rich Morris scored from a blind side move.
Ten points down and completely undaunted, Chinnor bounced back laying siege to the Cheltenham line. They should have scored during this period but were kept at bay by a combination of some stout defending and a lack of patience. On a number of occasions they were guilty of trying to force the pass where the simplest option would have been to set up the next phase. So at the half-way mark, Cheltenham led by 10 points with Chinnor having nothing to show for their 20 minutes of pressure.

The second half opened with Chinnor starting where they left off. Just four minutes into the half they reduced the deficit with an Adam White try and when Danny Burns took an inside pass from Richard Williams to level the score, Chinnor were back in business.
Chinnor looked the more likely winners at this stage but once again a touch of naivety entered their play with their insistence in forcing the final pass. This was to cost them dear as with extra time looming, Cheltenham arrived in Chinnor territory, and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts and James Butler made no mistake with the kick.
Chinnor could have made the game safe well before this as they failed to capitalise on the mountain of possession they enjoyed for most of the second half.

Cheltenham 13 pts Chinnor 10 pts.

Notwithstanding the result, Chinnor came out of the game with many positives. It showed that Chinnor Two’s are a vibrant side, have an abundance of ability and are well led by Rob Fenwick. Newcomer, Tim Gorman at scrum- half, showed up well as did Danny Burns in his new role in the centre.

Chinnor next play Away, on November 24, at Oxford Harlequins.