06/09/10…..Chinnor RFC escape with a draw at Newton Abbot

NATIONAL SOUTH WEST Third Division – Saturday, September 4, 2010 – SCORE: Newton Abbot 21, Chinnor 21 – MATCH REPORT:

After a very promising start against new-comers to the League, Newton Abbot, Chinnor did well to escape with a draw. On their first visit to Rackerhayes, Chinnor started full of promise, playing the match mostly in the Newton Abbot half and with most of the possession of the ball.

An early indiscretion from the All Whites gave Chinnor their first penalty of the match through the boot of Ben Hewitt. This was repeated some five minutes later to give Chinnor a 6-0 lead. Chinnor then squandered a certain try when the last pass was woefully executed. However, Hewitt stepped up for another penalty goal to give Chinnor a 9-0 lead.

Newton Abbot was struggling in the scrum but remained competitive at the tackle and breakdown to deny Chinnor any chance of a try in the first half. In the last minute of the half, Newton Abbot scored their first points of the match with a penalty goal from full-back Mike Saxton to go in 3-9 down at the break.

Having weathered the first half Chinnor storm, Newton Abbot came out full of vim and vigour and, four minutes into the half, scored their first try in National 3 SW, courtesy of fly half Andy Birkett. Saxton duly converted to give the All Whites the lead for the first time in the match by 10 points to 9. With a much more even contest, Chinnor went back into the lead by 12 points to 10 from a penalty goal from the reliable Hewitt. On the 56th minute, Saxton, with a penalty goal, restored the all Whites lead, now 13-12. Hewitt again stepped up to give the lead back to Chinnor with a penalty goal. Minutes later Saxton reversed the lead with a penalty goal to give Newton Abbot a 16-15 lead. Two minutes later, Hewitt changed the lead back to Chinnor with another well struck penalty goal.

Five minutes from time, Newton Abbot scored their second try of the match with winger Thor Normann getting on the end of a sweeping backs move. With the conversion falling short, Newton Abbot had a 21-18 lead and four minutes to go for a fairytale start to their life in National 3 SW. However, Chinnor’s saviour Hewitt denied the home side with a long-range penalty to give the final score of 21-21.

Chinnor will be disappointed with this result after their bright start to the match. After the initial 20 minutes, Chinnor seemed to slow down and looked distinctly rusty in most facets of the game. Sam Jones for Chinnor was the outstanding player making several telling breaks but receiving slow support. Too many slow rucks allowed Newton Abbot to get back into the match. All in all, it looked like the first match of the season where execution and decision-making were not as refined as is needed in competition at this level.

New boys, Newton Abbot did well to cope with their retreating scrum and get themselves back into the match. With two tries to Chinnor’s none, the All Whites gained the moral victory and on this showing should do well at this level.

Scorers:

Newton Abbot: Birkett try; Normann Try; Saxton 3PG, 1C

Chinnor: Hewitt 7PG

Chinnor team: Williams, Seymour (Serrano 75), Goode, Powell, Shiel, Hewitt, Burns, Stock (Winpenny 50), Cawston, Pickett, Hutchings, Smith, Jones, Hastings (Fan 50), Mowbray

Replacements: Winpenny, Fan, Serrano