17th December 2024
Nottingham 19 Chinnor 15
Chinnor lost another agonisingly close game on their travels at Nottingham under the lights. Having already been so close to victory in previous away games to Ampthill and the Pirates this latest loss means that all were within one score and a total aggregate loss of 8 points in 3 games, all with a chance of being won on the final play. This time Chinnor had the chance to kick deep into the Archers 22 when their scrum dominance had given them an 80th minute penalty. Connor Slevin seemed to have nailed a superb touch finder 5 metres from the line when an amazing feat of athleticism by Archers skipper Williams resembling a T20 fielder on the boundary as his leap batted the ball back and he managed to land in the field of play. The ball was kicked dead for a relieved Nottingham to seal the win.
Chinnor had begun the game well and had the majority of possession and territory in the first half. They spurned early opportunities for 3 points as they opted for lineout or scrums. A few clear cut chances went begging after a big bust from Harry Dugmore saw a pack and drive held up over the line. Another attack after Carter and Browning linked well was foiled by a last ditch interception. Chinnor eventually took the lead when George Worboys kicked a penalty on 30 minutes, 0-3.
The beginning of the second half saw Chinnor on the wrong end of another bizarre refereeing decision. From the restart replacement backrow Will Cave caught the ball in a stationery position. He was rather bemused as were many of the Chinnor supporters when he was penalised for impeding the chaser! This decision was a big momentum shifter as it gifted the home side an attacking lineout 5 metres out from which they powered over to take the lead, 5-3. Nottingham then hit a purple patch and displayed some real attacking potency with Olowofela and Williams real threats. A flowing move from deep saw Williams increase the lead on 55 minutes, 12-3. This was quickly followed by another score from replacement Chessum as Chinnor ran out of defenders, 19-3.
To their great credit Chinnor then launched fought back with tenacity and gusto. Passman made an immediate impact off the bench with his carrying power and finished off a nice move when he latched onto a Slevin miss pass. 19-8. Chinnor's dominance in the scrum was paying dividends. Again Chinnor attacked and were playing with real tempo that the Archers were struggling to cope, Rafferty was conspicuous on his debut. Hughes's dancing feet cut inside the cover and he scored under the posts to put the game really back into the melting pot, 19-15 with 10 minutes to go. Unfortunately Chinnor could not convert the chances they had from the front five dominance and a couple of unforced errors were to prove costly.
Nick Easter " Another heartbreaker at the end when the boys did so well to fight back from a seemingly lost position. Two very physical games in 6 days shows the spirit and fight in this squad. We need to learn from these situations and be more clinical when we get the chance. It was pleasing to see some of the younger lads really step up. Another huge game on Saturday versus Bedford to look forward to for the players and the Chinnor faithful.”
Chinnor - Lines, Walker, Hoyt, Hall, Irvine, Dugmore, Stokes, Ryan (c), Carter, Worboys, Goss, Hughes, Rokodrava, Browning, Feeney
Cave, Porter, Hardwick, North, Rafferty, Pascoe, Slevin, Passman
