Chinnor are ready for Sale this Saturday!

RICKY Khan, Chinnor RFC’s Back coach, believes that his side are ready for another tough test as they prepare to face Sale this Saturday (March 8). 

The Thame-based side make the 330-mile round trip to Greater Manchester for Round 25 of National League 1. 

Nick Selway attempting to keep possession against Rosslyn Park last weekend. Picture credit: David Howlett

Travelling up on Friday, Chinnor are looking to control all elements of their preparation as they bid to make it seven successive wins in the third tier of English rugby. 

Last week’s victory over second-place Rosslyn Park saw the Oxfordshire club, who have not lost on their travels since October, close the gap to their fellow high-fliers to two points. 

Sale have won six of their last seven home games, which included an 8-7 victory over leaders Richmond, but backs coach Khan is confident Chinnor can continue their fine away run and make it eight games unbeaten on the road. 

He said: “It’s another tough fixture for us. But I think we’re well equipped at the minute for these different battles and long journeys. 

“We’ve gone to places like Plymouth Albion and Hull Ionians and come away with good results, so we’re hoping to go up to Sale, take them on, and try to keep our winning run going.” 

Chinnor’s unbeaten away record includes victories over Birmingham Moseley, Hull, Bishop’s Stortford, Rotherham Titans and Canterbury as well as draws at Park and Plymouth. 

Director of rugby, Matt Williams, has previously spoken about his side’s expansive play on the road, something which has been on show at home over the last month. 

Khan believes there is also another reason to the results. He added: “We’ve said before about our brilliant away support, but I think it’s the fact we’ve become a really close squad now. 

“Away from home we know it’s going to be a lot tougher, but the lads just battle through. Like every side up and down the country, Chinnor have had to play through several storms this year, namely Dennis and Jorge.” 

The weather has obviously had an impact on the pitches, but Khan insists the players are willing to put their bodies on the line, no matter the conditions. 

“I think we’ve been faced with everything this season,” he said. “Torrential rain, hurricane winds and now it’s potentially going to be like a mud bath at Sale. 

“But I think those kind of adverse conditions galvanise us as a team and we relish the challenge, so for us it’s another feather in the cap and another opportunity.” 

SATURDAY’S SQUAD 

Chinnor (v Sale, away): from Barnes, Dancer, Ehizode, Elder, Goss, Kirwan, Laverick, Hoadley, Hodson, May, McNulty, Parilli-Ocampo, Pieterse, Ramshaw, Rees, W Ryan, Selway, Treviranus, Tyas, Watson, Worrall, Yawayawa.