Ding dong of a match for Chinnor first team

MATCH REPORT – By Bill O’Donnell – Dings Crusaders 15 vs Chinnor 19 – February 28, 2009.

THIS was the first ever victory against Dings in a classic encounter which bodes well for the future.

Chinnor 1st?s made the trip to the home of Dings Crusaders wondering what this week?s game would bring. Off the back of two convincing defeats, together with 13 1st XV squad players not being available for selection, the journey down to Lockleaze was a quiet affair.

With Bob Baker and Arthur Ellis on duty for England Under 20?s the evening before (Feb 27), the coaching staff had to call back to 1st XV duty the 40 year old veteran of many campaigns, Simon Matthews.

Dings is a ground where Chinnor have never won any of the spoils. Over the years we have played them in SW One and National 3 and always come away with a spirited performance, but no points. Was it going to be different today?

The game started with Chinnor playing up hill facing a strong pack and, as usual, a partisan but very knowledgeable Dings crowd. It was clear within the first few minutes that Dings wanted to win this game, as they put the Chinnor defence under significant pressure.

On 13 minutes, Chinnor gained some relief from the Dings pressure with strong repelling tackles from the back row and a break from the middle of the field which resulted in a penalty for Chinnor, easily converted by James Cathcart.

After 15 minutes, the first of the front row shuffles that characterised parts of this game resulted in Paddy Stennings having to leave the field for a blood injury replaced by Joe Winpenny as hooker.

Dings came back with more slick play which again put pressure on Chinnor?s defence. Great ball recycling from the Dings forwards eventually allowed the Dings hooker, Dave Wheeler, to score the first try which was converted by Adam Westall. The score stood at 7 ? 3 to Dings.

Stennings returned to the game looking like a Buddhist monk after the running repairs to his skull. But it wasn?t long before there was another change in the Chinnor front row as a result of a ‘off your feet’ yellow card for James Eckert. His front row replacement brought the 40 year old club stalwart, Simon Matthews, back in the fray. Simon may be in the twilight of his career, but give him a scrum and he can still show how it?s done.

Dings applied pressure again but a breakdown on the Chinnor line and some slick passing through the Chinnor backs allowed Richard Williams some room to make a long sweeping run towards the top corner of the field. Williams dived into the corner with a couple of Dings players, but was judged to be in touch as he dived over the line. The three cameramen in the same corner would have given a very different verdict had this been on Sky Sports!

The game went from end to end on several occasions with penalties for Dings and another penalty for James Cathcart from Chinnor. Half time score was 10 ? 6 to Dings.

Chinnor took the field for the second half with Ian Stock, who took a massive hit to the head, being replaced by Joe Winpenny. Dings started the same way they finished the 1st half, by applying significant pressure to the Chinnor line. Second-rower, Ian Rees, went over for Dings’ second try after 44 minutes, but this was not converted. 15 ? 6 and the game looked over for Chinnor.

Chinnor responded within five minutes with a tremendous try scored by Angus Nielson on his return to the team after his concussion at Worthing. Significant pressure from Chinnor was applied to the Dings line until Chinnor breached the defence. The try was converted by Cathcart with his usual aplomb. 15 ? 11 to Chinnor.

Slowly but surely the Chinnor pack started to assert some domination over Dings with some of the best re-cycling and phase possession we have seen all season. This continued pressure presented two more penalties which were well converted by Cathcart to maintain his 100% record in the game.

The final twist in the front row occurred in the 64th minute when Simon Matthews replaced James Eckert and Winpenny moved over to tight head ? this made a full house of front row positions in one game.

Chinnor held out under some significant pressure to win through and seal a great victory against all the odds. Four points at Dings was the last thing most of the travelling fans expected.

This was a complete team performance with good power and aggression from the forwards, especially with Peter Wright making yard after yard and tackling like a demon. The backs played as we know they can with great performances by Toby Prescott, Richie Williams, Chris Mahony and superb kicking from Cathcart.

This was a win that the boys can be proud of and sets them up well for the match against second placed Ealing next Saturday at Chinnor.