Darlington Mowden Park came away with the spoils after withstanding a heroic fightback from Chinnor to edge this pulsating encounter 31-26. The visitors looked to have secured a comfortable win after a superb display in the third quarter had put them 31-14 ahead with twenty minutes to play but Chinnor threw caution to the wind and were tantalisingly close when their catch and drive deep into injury time was adjudged held up and the referee blew for full time.

The game started at a ferocious pace as both teams were determined to play a fast and expansive brand of rugby which certainly entertained the large crowd. DMP attacked from the kick off and went through numerous phases and were looking dangerous before Hodson spotted a chance to intercept a long pass and blazed past the defence to score from 80 metres. Hopkin superbly converted to out Chinnor up 7-0 after 3 minutes.

DMP immediately struck back after a spilled restart put the home side under pressure and from a series of quick rucks the dangerous McTurk scuttled a round a ruck to score in the corner. 7-5.

Back came Chinnor in this helter skelter game, a good kick from Hopkin pinned DMP in the corner. The clearance kick was run back with interest from the elusive Joseph and after good quick recycle Barnes found Manning on an outside line and he powered over to score out wide, again expertly converted by Hopkin. 14-5

If anything the visitors increased the already frantic pace and were showing how effective they could be with lightning quick rucks and excellent handling and big, physical runners. Eventually Chinnor’s defence ran out of numbers and Dudman darted over from close range. Seals converted from the touchline to narrow the lead 14-12. On 28 minutes Chinnor stole a lineout on their 22 metre but Hopkin was put under immediate pressure and his attempted clearance was charged down and bounced invitingly into the greedy mits of Seals who converted his own score for the visitors to take the lead for the first time. Half time 14-19.

DMP immediately went on the offensive at the beginning of the second half. A series of Chinnor errors gave the visitors a platform for them to increase the lead after another catch and drive from a lineout . They built pressure and Goss had to concede a five metre lineout after the hugely influential Seals had pinned Chinnor back with an excellent kick. From the ensuing lineout Brady crashed over. 14-24. The visitors were now truly on top and were showing no let up in the pace and dynamism of their play. Hodgson and Heaton were conspicuous with their ball carrying and a quick counter attack after a huge break from Dancer was turned over led to Ollie Walker finishing off a sweeping move. Seals converted to 14-31.

Chinnor looked down and out and a team already ravaged by injury was having to rejig personnel and positions. Crowd favourite Goodfellow entered proceedings and had an immediate impact with his sniping runs and quick penalties. Heaton was yellow carded after denying Chinnor quick ball. Chinnor narrowed the gap on 68 minutes after sustained pressure and several near misses Holland finally crossed out wide. 19-31. This looked little more than a consolation but Matt William’s team showed huge spirit and belief to launch yet more attacks. Hopkin hit the line at a superb angle and his scything break took Chinnor deep into DMP territory. The ball eventually came to Hodson who stepped off his left to beat several defenders and score under the posts, Hopkin converted to 26-31. Remarkably Chinnor were now in the ascendancy and had 3 minutes to steal the win. Again they attacked but unfortunately time was against them.

Chinnor:
Goss, Joseph,Dancer, Barnes©,Hodson,Hopkin, Hoadley, Cano,Oliver,Gilding,Thomas, Gray, Dancer, Wallace, Manning
Reps: Southworth, Norey, Betts,Holland, Goodfellow

DMP
McTurk, Walker,Bullough,Frankland, MacKenzie, Seals, Dudman,Barron,Poole, Vaioleti, Brady, Craggs, Stokes, Heaton, Hodgson
Reps; Brown, Purkiss-Mcendoo,Fisher, Law, Hamilton

Referee: Nick Wood

Attendance 325