Match Report from Friday Night Lights over at Rams.
Chinnor narrowly failed to hang on to a 19-7 lead as local rivals Rams staged a stirring comeback to guarantee their win in the last minute. It looked like a daunting first away trip of the season to play Rams who finished joint top of the league last season, made especially difficult without inspirational Captain Willie Ryan.
However Chinnor fired right from the start and put in a thumping first half display. Izzy Wharton carried on from an exciting debut last week with another superb all round performance. Wharton made a scything break in midfield from quick lineout ball and took play deep into Rams 22. From an ensuing penalty Chinnor kicked to the corner and after a succession of drives Captain Alun Walker dived over to take the lead. Price converted.
It was all Chinnor as they took the game to a rather startled Rams. A prodigious kick from the sweet left foot of Will Feeney gave Chinnor a 50/22 and the platform to attack again. This time it was Wharton’s turn to plunge over from close range and Price added the extras to double Chinnor’s lead, 14-0.
It was possibly in the next 15 minutes that Chinnor left several chances to score go astray that they would rue come full time. Bourton and Wharton made huge breaks but a willingness to over play meant we didn’t extend the lead we deserved.
Stokes was then harshly yellow carded for a tackle which seemed very similar to Rams tackling earlier that had gone unpunished.
So when Rams made their number advantage to score their first try before half time a 14- 7 lead was not reflective of the Chinnor dominance.
However Chinnor exploded into the second half and after some , powerful scrummaging Brocksmidt ripped the ball from Rams Number 8 in contact and quick hands and a miss pass saw Passman crash over for a fully deserved 19-7 lead after 55minutes.
Rams made some significant changes with their young 9 and 2 old , experienced props altering the momentum of the game. A sublime cross kick from Monye put Rossiter away to bring Rams back to 21-12.
Pressure at the scrum led to a kick to the corner and a penalty try, harsh again as it seemed Rams had already scored.
Poor discipline was now costing Chinnor as the referee took against them at scrum and breakdown.
With 5 minutes to go Rams took the lead 24-19 with a try from Clow.
Chinnor would not settle for a losing bonus point and launched a Hail Mary play into added time. However they over chased the kick and Rams countered to score on the final whistle.
Next up vs Sale FC at Kingsey Road, 16th Sept ko 3pm. Bring the noise.
Match report - John Vaughan
Photo credit - Rams
