A fine day for ducks as Chinnor draw with Canterbury (By Ken Vaughan)

NOVEMBER 1, 2008 – MATCH REPORT – score: Canterbury 10 vs Chinnor 10.

THIS was a gutsy performance by Chinnor, epitomised by Ben Hewitt who left the field for the blood bin only to return some 13 minutes later with 5 stitches having been inserted in his eyelid. The result could have been better from a Chinnor standpoint in that they missed several kicks at goal with two of these efforts hitting the upright. They also went very close to increasing their try count when Darren Oxley in particular was dragged down inches short of the Canterbury line.

Chinnor took the field, in dreadful conditions, having to once again change their starting line-up. With Eric Brown and Trevor Powell joining the list of unavailables, James Serrano started with Toby Prescott once again being required to go onto the wing. Duncan Williams made his debut coming into the second row in place of the injured Sam Black. Playing into a swirling wind it was all Chinnor in the opening stages, pinning Canterbury in their own territory for long periods. With Chinnor having an opportunity to take the lead via a penalty, only to hit the post, a Canterbury break-out in the 32nd minute saw them take the lead, when, after a string of pick-up and drives near the Chinnor line , they spread the ball to their three’s giving centre James Birnage the space to go over under the posts. Gert De Kock added the conversion. Chinnor came back and were rewarded when they too drove the ball forward with a series of pick-up and drives which resulted in Arthur Ellis scoring wide-out.

Chinnor started the second half again on the attack. A fumble in the Canterbury three-quarter line gave the alert Serrano the chance to pick-up and score. Try as they could, going very close on a number of occasions to going over the line, and hitting the posts once again with a penalty attempt, not easy in now worsening conditions, they could not extend their lead. A penalty goal by De Kock minutes later levelled the scores which remained so at the final whistle. The ball by now was akin to a bar of soap and with the rain, wind and the freezing temperature, both teams were not sorry to hear the final blast of the whistle.

For Chinnor, Duncan Williams made an excellent debut. He secured his line-out ball and looks comfortable with ball in hand. Arthur Ellis once again made a positive contribution and was a great asset to the Chinnor cause. Alex Wallace was assured under the high ball which was not easy in the conditions. A mention also for young Joe Robinson who, whilst only on at sub for a short period with Ben Hewitt in the blood bin, acquitted himself well.

Chinnor, who were massively disappointed in not getting the result they undoubtedly deserved, can take heart from this performance. They once again illustrated that they can compete at this level.