Optimism for 2020 from Chinnor despite defeat in the last game of the year

MATT Williams, Director of Rugby at Chinnor RFC, believed there would be plenty more twists and turns as Chinnor RFC headed into the Christmas break in National League One’s top six.

The Thame-based side are just nine points behind leaders Rosslyn Park, who top the third tier of English rugby by virtue of fewer defeats over Richmond and Rams. A seven-match unbeaten run, which included four straight home wins, had helped Chinnor close the gap to the frontrunners.

Chinnor v Richmond – December 21, 2019

Although Richmond triumphed 21-5 at Kingsey Road on Saturday, December 21, the Oxfordshire club are still in the mix and Williams predicts there will be more drama to come saying: “We’ve just played 16 games in a row. We started the season sluggish and we finished the first half well. Yes, it’s disappointing that we lost to Richmond, but it’s one of 16 games. There’s still 14 to go and we’re still at the right end of the table. There will be much change between now and the end of the season as to who finishes in the top places.”

Chinnor had headed into the Richmond fixture in a confident mood after a 37-27 win over fellow challengers Darlington Mowden Park extended their unbeaten run. But they were unable to end the decade with five successive home wins as the visitors came out on top.

Williams added: “I think the best team won. We were a little naïve and that is something we haven’t shown in recent weeks. Their defence was well-drilled and we struggled to find penetration in the first half.

“We went back to basics in the second half, latched a lot of the ball carriers, got over the gain line, and created lots of space. I don’t know if the boys thought, because the scoreboard was past 80 minutes, the game was done, but we started making some crazy decisions when there was still time on the clock to put ourselves in the right position.

“But all credit goes to Richmond, they deserved the win, they were the better team.”

MATCH REPORT

CHINNOR were unable to finish the decade with a fifth straight home win as leaders Richmond triumphed 21-5 at Kingsey Road.

Hooker Nick Selway crossed for the Oxfordshire side in the second half, but it proved only a consolation as they suffered their first defeat since October 26.
Coaches, players and volunteers worked hard in the morning to clear standing water from the pitch to ensure the National League 1 game could be played. But the home side could not keep Richmond at bay as the visitors dominated the first half to lead 18-0.

Tom Hodgson’s penalty put the leaders 3-0 up after 16 minutes, before the fly-half converted his own try to extend their lead to ten points. Chinnor did have an opportunity to break the deadlock after half an hour, but Laurence May’s penalty attempt slipped wide. And Richmond went on to extend their advantage through Alexander Bibic’s unconverted try, before Hodgson added another penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Chinnor were unable to prevent the visitors extending their advantage to 21 points through the boot of Hodgson. However, Richmond did not trouble the try-line again for the rest of the game as the hosts enjoyed more territory.

They were unable to stage a comeback, though, and Selway’s unconverted try with six minutes remaining proved only a consolation.

Chinnor return to action on January 4, 2020, when they make the trip up to Yorkshire to face Hull Ionians. Their first home game of 2020 takes place on Friday, January 10 (7.45pm) as they take on Rams in a mouth-watering derby.