04/03/13…..Chinnor ‘ firsts’ outgunned away

CHINNOR’S visit to rural Gloucestershire on Saturday (02/03) was an unhappy one as they were put to the sword by Hartpury College, losing out by 52-7.

The match started well for Chinnor as they were awarded two easy penalty goals in front of the Hartpury posts within the first five minutes. However, the normally reliable Colver was off target and this was perhaps a portent for the rest of the game.

Hartpury’s first try came in the 12th minute when, after a punishing maul from a penalty lineout, Peter Thomas went over for the opening try. Just five minutes later, after a Chinnor lineout overthrow, Hartpury?s pacey backs saw Bradley Davies over for a second try, converted by Craig Jackson, to put the home side 12-0 ahead on 16 minutes. Hartpury?s third try was an exact repeat of their first, this time with Chris Fortey going over for the try in the 28th minute. Jackson converted to put the students ahead 19-0.

With 33 minutes played, a neat chip over the on-rushing Chinnor defence, saw the ball bounce into the hands of George Bolton who strolled to the posts for the bonus point try. Jackson again converted for a 26-0 lead. Chinnor, clutching at coat tails, put together a promising attacking movement only for the college’s Billy Burns to intercept and trot to the line for a fifth try. Jackson’s conversion gave Hartpury a 33-0 lead at half time.

Chinnor again started brightly and, just like the first half, were awarded two penalties in quick succession but were unable to gain anything from them. The punishment for Chinnor continued in the 48th minute when the portly Stevenson, having replaced Billy Burns, strolled through a huge gap in the Chinnor defence and offloaded nicely to Sebastian Rodwell who dotted down by the posts. Jackson’s conversion gave the home side a 40-0 lead.

A Chinnor kick, deep into midfield, was fielded and returned with power and pace by the highly impressive Reuben Haile, who slipped in Neil Wilkinson for Hartpury?s seventh try on the 58th minute.

Chinnor finally got on the scoreboard in the 65th minute when, after a series of pick and drives, prop Andy Berry went over in the corner. Millett did well to convert from the touchline to make the match score 45-7 to the students. At last, Chinnor started to put some possession together but, losing the ball near the Hartpury line, Sean Marsden cantered over for Hartpury’s eighth try on the 78th minute. Jackson’s conversion saw the final score of 52-7 to Hartpury College.

Clearly a one-sided affair, Chinnor looked out of sorts right from the start of the match. Hartpury, with tough and aggressive forwards and a powerful and high paced backline, made Chinnor look porous every time they attacked. Chinnor had no counter-measure for the pace and power they faced. Reuben Haile for Hartpury had an outstanding match.

SOURCE: Contributed by Bill O’Donnell
PHOTO: Courtesy of Hartpury College