Chinnor 2 XV move to second place after win over Richmond

AWAY League match – Chinnor 2 XV 19 Pts Vs Richmond Saxons 0 points; Saturday, February 20, 2010. MATCH REPORT (Contributed):

CHINNOR Seconds have added another big London club to their away victories, this time Richmond Saxons, and as a result have moved into second spot in the League.

As with others, Chinnor were expecting another tough game. The team’s back line was made up with five players from 3rds, 4th, Oxon and colts players, so the challenge was expected to be a little tougher.

Predictably Chinnor started the game looking like they were stronger, however it did take up to the fifteenth minute for Ed Rixon to get the first try. The teams soon found their rhythm and played very well with Chinnor having the advantage with their forwards.

This was to be Chinnor?s game plan with such a mix of new players in the back line. However it was the backs that scored the next try three minutes later with a great break by young Jack Green who also converted his own try, and Chinnor was in the lead 12 points to nil. Chinnor kept Saxons under a lot of pressure forcing them to defend the try line.

Chinnor were a little thin on the bench with just one replacement, and Saxons having 12 players on their bench almost offering a full side, which is allowed in this league.

The second half started with a more determined Saxons team taking the game to Chinnor, and the Chinnor forwards once again dominated the scrums as they had in the first half and weathered the storm. Again most of the game was played between the two twenty two metre lines exhibiting some real physical rugby from both sides. Chinnor again added the first points of the second half when Guy Hackshaw instigated a run from his own 22 line. He then passed the ball to Ed Rixon, and the run of 70 metres ended with the forwards driving Jon Lavin over the try line, on the opposite corner. Jack Green converted the try. By this time the Saxon bench and coach commented that Chinnor was playing boring rugby. Boring it might have been, but every time their backs got the ball it never passed their centre – their players kept running back into the pack and into Chinnor?s game plan. This was very naive play from the Saxon players and their coach who continued with the same pattern of play.

The Saxons did have Chinnor under a lot of pressure for the last fifteen minutes of play, but the Chinnor defence proved to be awesome. The game ended 19 points to nil in Chinnor?s favour the second clean sheet in a row. Once again a big thank you to the five players that stepped up to the mark from the lower teams, we really appreciated it.

To pick a man of the match in this team each week is a difficult task, with the team being such a happy and committed team. Everyone gives their best every week despite so many changes week on week. They just get on with the game and it is an honour to be involved with the team.

All 16 of the Chinnor team had good games with Tom Green, Max Williams, Ian Stock and Bill Delley who at over 40 is amazing. By popular demand the man of the match this week goes to Ed Rixon who as always is outstanding week-in and week-out.

Thanks to the lower teams for their sacrifices – we know how disruptive it is to the lower teams. Well done to them as well. Adam Woodliffe must be mentioned here too, he spends week after week filling five teams. This, on most occasions, is a huge challenge and he does it with care and dedication.
Walter McGuicken