Rugby: Preview of Saturday’s visit by Cambridge

MATT Williams has stressed the importance of his Chinnor side finishing November with a bonus-point victory on Saturday.

Ofisa Treviranus

The Thame-based club welcome Cambridge to Kingsey Road on the back of a promising run of form.

Chinnor are four games unbeaten in National League One, following home wins over Canterbury and Sale, as well as draws at Rosslyn Park and Plymouth Albion.

A bonus-point victory this weekend would see the Oxfordshire side collect 17 points from a possible 25 in November and head into the final month of 2019 with momentum.

The fact Chinnor have not been beaten since October 26 pleases director of rugby Williams, but he is calling for maximum points on Saturday.

“It’s been a strange month,” he said. “We talk about consistency every week and the fact we are unbeaten in November so far is good. But we’ve had two draws and two wins, so it’s not as rosy as it would seem.

“However, we’re back at home; we’ve won the last two games at Kingsey Road, and if we get a five-pointer on Saturday then it’s been a strong month. If we don’t, then the two fighting draws we’ve pulled off are for nothing.”

Chinnor’s run has seen them close the gap to the top to eight points and they will be hoping to further eat into leaders Rosslyn Park’s advantage. But Williams know his side will have to be at their very best to beat Cambridge.

Former Chinnor player and backs coach, Richie Williams, brings his team to Thame on the back of only one loss in their last four games. Matt Williams said: “This is probably the most exciting league – everyone beats everyone. Cambridge are a great example. I feel they are a team finding their form at the moment and their league position doesn’t do them justice. As a former player and coach here, it will mean a lot to Richie to come to Kingsey Road and try to get one over us.“

Chinnor are boosted by the return of Chris Elder (illness), Ofisa Treviranus (unavailability) and Ben Thomas (suspension). Tom Fidler is also in contention after helping Poland beat Switzerland in the Rugby Europe Trophy last Saturday. However, Chinnor will be without Cameron Gray (ankle), while Kieran Goss (hip) and Will Harries (hamstring) are doubts.

SATURDAY’S SQUAD
Chinnor (v Cambridge, home): from Ashby, Dancer, Ehizode, Elder, Fidler, George, Goss, Hodson, Kirwan, Laverick, May, McNulty, Ramshaw, C Ryan, W Ryan, Selway, Southworth, Thomas, Treviranus, Watson, Worrall, Yawayawa.