20th October 2025
Match Report - Chinnor 47 Coventry 26
Chinnor stormed to a thrilling win against a strong Coventry team with 60 minutes of power and precision that was just too much for the visitors. In front of an increasingly vocal and febrile crowd of over 2000 Chinnor scored 40 unanswered points including 6 tries in just over 30 pulsating minutes either side of half time.
Chinnor's first home match of the season was much anticipated and with the arrival of a confident Coventry after a strong win against Bedford last time out the stakes were high. Chinnor got off to the worst possible start as they gave away a string of penalties and were unable to secure possession from the set piece. These errors allowed the visitors to get goof field position and after a series of lineout mauls the strong running Morgan Strong opened the scoring.. 0-7. A carbon copy was to follow as Chinnor failed to get a foothold in the game and although they defended their line with gusto on several occasions they were ultimately always going to run out of defenders and Baker eventually crashed over from short range to double the lead. 0-14. Things started to look extremely ominous as from the restart the influential Strong powered through tackles and released the supporting Ball who fed the dangerous Opoku- Fourjour who outsprinted the cover to dive into the corner, 0-19. With barely 15 minutes gone Chinnor were looking down the barrel of a 3rd defeat.
Chinnor then launched the most remarkable of comebacks inspired by the outstanding captain Luke Carter who dummied and wriggled over from short range having seen the smallest of gaps in the defence. The impressive debutant Gabe Mann fed James Bourton from a scrum 15 meres out and his powerful run sucked in several defenders which gave Carter the opportunity. Nathan Chamberlain converted , the first of 6 successful kicks, 7-14.
This score seemed to cut the shackles loose and on 35 minutes Chamberlain fielded a high ball and under pressure released Carter who accelerated past multiple defenders and cleverly linked with Tom Watson who exchanged passes with Chamberlain who eventually released Conor Slevin to scoot home under the posts for the first of a brace for the fullback who enjoyed an excellent game. 14-19. The first half was to end with a Chinnor driving lineout which was held up over the line, so remarkably Chinnor were on the ascendancy and beginning to get on top in all aspects of play.
With the elements now in their favour Chinnor began the 2nd half in coruscating fashion, Yet another dangerous break from Carter was rounded off by a powerful pick and drive from Rob Hardwick. Chinnor now took the lead with the conversion 21-19, leaving a somewhat shell shocked Coventry wondering how that could be possible after their early dominance. But more was to follow when a superb chip and chase from Grant Hughes saw Slevin win the race to touchdown, 26-19.
Chinnor were now determined to make the most of their superiority in the tight which led to some poor discipline from Nayolo who was to spend an expensive 10 minutes in the bin. Scrum and lineout penalties gave Alun Walker the chance to power over from close range. This was quickly followed by another try for Jamie Carr from close range who also enjoyed an excellent debut performance after superb work from Watson and Bourton, 40-19.
Coventry did try and up the tempo in an attempt to get back into the game . Their efforts were repelled with some excellent defence typified by a superb, scything try saving tackle from Kieron Goss when it looked like Ball was cruising over. Eventually the visitors were awarded for their efforts and a bonus point when Ma'asi scored under the posts on 72 minutes, 40-26.
Any hopes that this would lead to a comeback of their own were quickly extinguished when Walker released a rampaging Will Cave with a subtle delayed pass, Cave stormed into the 22 then released the ever supporting Carter and the jubilant skipper celebrated as he crossed the line to a deafening roar. When Dan Cooke intercepted an attacking Coventry lineout, Cave kicked the ball dead and Chinnor had won a famous victory in thrilling style.
Nick Easter said " Even at 19-0 down I was confident the boys could turn it around. We had actually defended quite well and made them work v hard for their first 2 tries. We tightened up on discipline and stuck to the game plan which paid dividends, There were some outstanding individual performances right across the park. We challenged the boys to up their game and they all delivered. Another tough test on the road next week but today we showed the level we can attain. It was great to see and hear so much passionate support"
Chinnor RFC
Kai Owen, Chris Moore, Robin Hardwick, Jamie Campbell, Conor Brockschmidt, Jamie Carr, George Stokes, Gabriel Mann, Luke Carter, Nathan Chamberlain, Kieran Goss, James Bourton, Thomas Watson, Grant Hughes, Connor Slevin
Finishers:
Alun Walker, Ramaz Rukhadze, Cameron Doak, Daniel Cooke, Will Cave, Callum Pascoe, Scott Hall, Morgan Passman
Chinnor RFC- Luke Carter (27’), Connor Slevin (36’, 46’) Robin Hardwick (44’), Alun Walker (53’), Jamie Carr (61’), Will Cave (73’)
Conversions- Chamberlain x6
Coventry Rugby:
Aristot Benz-Salomon, Suva Ma’asi, Matt Johnson, Allan Ferrie, Senitiki Nayalo, Mackenzie Graham, Tom Ball, Morgan Strong, Josh Barton, Tommy Mathews, Ewan Baker, Dafydd Rhys-Tiueti, Oli Morris, David Opoku-Fordjour, Tom Bacon
Finishers:
Jordon Poole, Keston Lines, Eliot Salt, Dan Green, Onisivoro Sukani Nayagi, Tom Miles, Josh Thomas, Api Bavadra
Coventry Rugby – Morgan Strong (6’), Ewan Baker (14’), David Opoku-Fordjour (15’), Suva Ma’asi (72’)
Next Home Game - 1st November vs Ampthill 3pm KO
Ticket Available Here - https://ticketpass.org/event/EIZMXD/chinnor-vs-ampthill-2
