Chinnor RFC under 13’s triumph in junior tournament (Contributed)

CONGRATULATIONS to the Chinnor RFC U13s for their victory in the Oxfordshire Junior 10s tournament held at Chinnor’s ground on April 27.
Having won all their pool matches against Banbury, Grove, Henley and Witney (the Witney match being a thriller where the lead changed several times), they were victorious against Oxford Harlequins in the semi-final to set up a final showdown against perennial rivals, Bicester, on the first team pitch.
Played in bright sunshine and under the watchful eye of former Chinnor, now Leicester Tiger Tom Varndell, Chinnor took an early lead and reached the break with a 14-5 lead, with tries from Nick Barker and Joe Baldwin.

In the second half Chinnor played some scintillating rugby and Nick Barker completed his hat-trick before Ollie Wingfield touched down after the ball had passed through almost every pair of hands in the Chinnor team for what must surely have been the try of the tournament. Credit to Bicester for never giving up but in the end Chinnor were just too strong and ran out comfortable winners with a score of 35-10.

It really was a fantastic team effort by all 15 players in the squad. Even the Bicester coaches and players applauded their success, and the manner in which it was achieved, and it was a very proud captain, Guy Carter, who received the trophy from Tom Varndell on behalf of the whole squad.

It is a fitting tribute to a well-organised tournament that the Chinnor U13s were crowned champions at the end of a day in which they scored 30 tries and entertained us royally. Thanks to all those involved for their efforts, and well done once more to the victorious U13s.