Chinnor RFC Slaughters Cleve (Contributed)

SOUTH West Division One, Chinnor 29 pts Cleve 0 pts; Saturday 5th January – MATCH REPORT
Once again Chinnor, on winning the toss, elected to play with the wind. Possibly a fairly risky strategy in that sufficient points need to be accumulated in the first 40 minutes to provide a buffer from an inevitable second half onslaught by their opponents. However this was the third time this season that they have chosen to have the wind at their backs and the third time the gamble has paid off. The key to this strategy is patience and once again it took up to 15 minutes for Chinnor to register their first points via a rolling maul. James Cathcart, who’s tactical kicking in the first half was spot on, put them in the right place to launch the forward drive with Patrick Stennings going over. Cathcart’s place kicking was also on song with a conversion from the touchline and a well judged penalty some 3 minutes later increased the Chinnor lead. It was Ben Hewitt’s time next as he went over the line with the Cleve defence in complete disarray. Cathcart converted with soaring kick from the touchline. With Craig Burrows and Tom Whelan both scoring via forward drives, and Cathcart kicking another conversion, the Chinnor option of using the wind advantage in the first half appeared vindicated.
The second half saw Cleve continually attacking the Chinnor line, but all to no avail. It was a fine defensive display by the entire side which was occasionally assisted by some poor Cleve handling. With Ben Hewitt claiming a catch behind his goal line meant for Cleve winger Huntley they had exhausted all their options to leave them scoreless. A fine win to start the new year but there remain stiffer hurdles ahead.
Bracknell away on Saturday week will be massive.

Oxfordshire Cup game at home next weekend – Chinnor v Grove.