End of a ‘long and challenging season’ for rugby vets (Contributed)

LAST Wednesday, April 29, 2009, Chinnor RFC Oxen (Vets) XV took to the pitch in the final of the Oxfordshire Vets Floodlit Cup over at Oxford RFC, North Hinksey, to play Harwell Vets, having dispatched Witney Vets and Oxford Harlequins Vets in earlier rounds.

The Chinnor boys were much fancied and so it was that the 26 man squad went in to battle in the fading light, and with good support, started strongly with two tries from John Sellars in quick succession from the Wing. A further score from Jon Brooks and a conversion from Dave Wells saw Chinnor in command, toying with Harwell who, by the end of the first half, failed to find the space or the pass to capitalise on possession or territorial advantage.

A soel penalty from Harwell saw the match 17-3 at half time with Harwell wondering what they had to do to win some possession.

Chinnor Vets had secured second spot in their league the Saturday before and so the squad feeling within the camp was excellent, though slightly unhappy that they were only allowed to use four subs in this match.

The second half was largely uneventful with the only breach being a break away from Harwell and the match ended 17 -10, giving Chinnor Vets a comfortable win. John Sellars was man of the match.

Huge credit has to go to Harwell who managed to play the final in the face of adversity with a squad bereavement only the week before this match.

It’s been a long and rewarding season for the Senior side at Chinnor ending with a second place league finish and the Cup – a huge turnaround.

Chinnor vets:
Rob Atkin, Mike Bailey, Mike Bambrook, Conor Begley, Alan Beveridge, Steve Bridges, Jon Brooks, Carl Buckland, John Cann, Terry Chappel, James Conolly, Craig Dalziel, ‘Stumpy’, Will Deeley, Tim DeGlanville, Chris Ellis, Nathan Ellis, Paul Ewens, Gordon Fennell, Paul Fincken, Ben Forward, Neal Gilbert, Kieron Hall, Josh Hill, Rob Hill, Rupert Hill, Simon Hill, Tony Howells, Mike Hughes, Doug Humphries, ‘Hutty’, Craig Jones, Nigel Leech, Peter Levitt, Jez March, Si Matthews, Pete McDermott, Pete Naylor, ‘Mad’ Mike Neuman, Dan Palmer, Jeremy Philpott, Rich Pitman, Dave Ratcliffe, Stuart Reynolds, John Sellars, ‘Simmo’, Craig Smith, Mark Turvey, John Vaughan, Andre van der Mewe, Dave Wells, Clive Weston, Gary Whelan, Mike Wiltshire, ‘Kritter’, Gavin Williams, Dr Jonathan Williams, Adam Woodliffe, Paul Wright & Tim Wright