17/12/12….Chinnor endures deluge to take the game in the last quarter

CHINNOR RFC V Taunton – Saturday, December 15, 2012 – Chinnor 29, Taunton 19; MATCH REPORT contributed by Bill O’Donnell; Chinnor, behind for most of the match, eventually overcame Taunton 29-19 in the final quarter. The Chinnor team began well when their constant pressure in the opposition 22 eventually led to a Taunton kick downfield which was caught by Fielding. He took the ball back strongly and passed inside to Colver who returned the ball for a Fielding try in the corner in the fifth minute.

Chinnor lost the ball in midfield and Taunton swept the ball along their backs for a Struminski try in the corner. Kingdom?s conversion put the visitors from Somerset 7-5 ahead in the 22nd minute. Taunton again used their backs to good effect when, straight from a scrum in the Chinnor 22, Struminski went over in the same corner for his second try to put Taunton 12-5 ahead in the 30th minute. Five minutes later, Colver reduced Chinnor?s deficit with a penalty goal to allow Taunton a 12-8 lead at half-time.

Four minutes into the second half, Chinnor went further behind. Metres from the Taunton line, the pass was intercepted and handed on to Struminski who raced downfield for his hat trick score under the Chinnor posts. Kingdom?s conversion put the visitors 18-8 ahead. And then the heavens opened. The deluge of rain seemed to benefit Chinnor more than their visitors. Colver landed another penalty goal for Chinnor in the 56th minute. Straight from the kick off, Goode caught the ball and weaved through the Taunton defence to dot down under the posts. Colver?s conversion brought the match score to 19-18 in favour of Taunton.

Taunton continued to hassle and hurry but were guilty of giving away too many penalties. Colver benefited from these indiscretions, slotting penalty goals in on the 67th and 73rd minutes. With the referee poised to blow for full time, Ian Stock picked up a loose ball from a line out and, like a ten pin bowling ball, scattered defenders on his 20 metre charge to the line for a try for Chinnor, to conclude the match 29-19 in Chinnor?s favour.

Taunton played at a level above that which their league position indicated. They have a tough front row and a flyer in Struminski. They certainly gave Chinnor a fright. Although Chinnor did not bring their ‘A’ game to the match they were calm enough to bring the match back in the last quarter. Colver?s kicking was again excellent. Matthew Goode had a fine all round match ? with his try from his own half being the highlight.

Chinnor have no more matches until the New Year when they meet old rivals Bournemouth at Kingsey Road on January, 5..

Scorers:
Chinnor: Fielding T; Goode T; Stock T; Colver C, 4PG
Taunton: Struminski 3T; Kingdom 2C
Chinnor team:
Colver, Fielding, Goode, Stoop, Hales, Millett, Jones, Winpenny (Stock 62), Holyland, Berry (Pickett 62), Hughes (Harrison 62), Smith, Mowbray, Sawyer, Gilbert
Replacements: Stock, Pickett, Harrison, Hopwood, Gray