17/02/11…..Chinnor RFC U16s back at the top!

CHINNOR U16s 41 v Henley 5 – 9Score reduced to 41-5, being score at the point a six try lead was established, for league purposes.) MATCH REPORT (Contributed)

WITH Henley enjoying a big win against Bicester last week, Chinnor Under 16s went into this game with renewed respect for their opponents. However, their worries were erased when they started the game with tremendous intensity and were ahead after less than a minute when Nic Barker scampered down the wing to touch down in the corner. Unfortunately the early elation was all erased when Rob Gascoyne suffered a serious leg injury in a tackle. We now know that Rob has a fractured fibula, which means the end of the season for him. He will be greatly missed and we wish him a speedy recovery.

The lengthy stoppage while Rob got treatment did not dent the boys’ concentration though. In an intelligent move the forwards lined up for a kick to the right following a penalty award but the dummy sent the ball left and a marvelous exchange of passes between Dom Bradbrook Taylor and Nic as they flew downfield allowed Dom to score one of the most spectacular tries we have ever scored. George Grose floated a difficult, wide conversion in the strong cross-wind to claim the extra points.

Rob’s injury did disrupt the balance of the team and meant that with Rory O Connor’s absence neither of the regular props were on the field. Guy Carter moved up and great credit must go to our improvised front row, which was further disrupted when Cam Leff had to leave the field after half time.

They all did really well throughout, and created the platform for the third and fourth tries when a big push on each occasion got the ball leading to another for Dom and a try for Cam Leff. Henley pulled one back but Chinnor scored their fifth try when Nic grabbed his second under the posts. 27 – 5 at half time.

The Under 16s have been involved in a few matches recently where they have established a big half time lead and then fallen away in the second half. Not doing this and maintaining focus was therefore the dominant theme of Rob Hill’s half time talk, and this time it proved effective. An intelligent kick over the defence by Henry Gayler led to a really well deserved try for the hard-working Cam Harvey and shortly thereafter another solid scrum led to a third try for Nic. George slotted both conversions and with the six try lead thereby established, the scoring for league purposes stopped at 41-5.

The game continued as a friendly and Chinnor were able to get all of their replacements on and although Ollie Wingfield scored a great interception try, Henley added a couple of their own which their spirited second half performance thoroughly deserved.

Apart from Rob’s injury there were many positives from today. Those who stepped up to play in the front row made a real difference with Dan Cundy having a superb
game at scrum half against a tricky customer in the yellow of Henley. George orchestrated the midfield superbly and made intelligent use of the wind with his kicking and Ollie put in some great covering tackles when Henley did threaten. The line-out lifting worked well; Dougie Haynes carried well; Tommy Evans did what Tommy does; in short, everyone played their part in a great team performance, fully reflected in the big margin of victory.

The win puts Chinnor Under 16s top of the league on 23 points, ahead of Wallingford on 20, although they do have a game in hand. There is still a way to go and a tough match away at Quins up next, but there now looks to be a good chance that the league title will come down to a straight fight between Chinnor and Wallingford in the last game on March 20. Bring it on!