22/03/11….Chinnor Rugby Unders 16 teach Wallingford a sound lesson

SO, here’s the exam question for all those U16s studying for those GCSEs. How to beat Wallingford after being soundly beaten by them last October – how to handle their undoubtedly class pack with numerous academy players – how to get enough points to make it today that the trophy was awarded?

Here’s the answer: Put 7 tries past them on the first team pitch. Take on the Wallingford forwards by disrupting their set plays at every opportunity, and tackle, tackle and then tackle some more.

MATCH REPORT – Chinnor U16 37 Vs Wallingford U16 7; League match; Sunday, March 29.(Contributed)

WITHIN three minutes of the kick-off, a quick tap penalty taken by Dan, swift interchange between Tom Hook and Dom and Guy had scored the first try, the scene had been set.

To mention all the scorers – and they will be named – would fail to credit all the guys who worked to put them through. It would also fail to mention the character shown when the tide started to turn just after half-time with Wallingford having the wind behind them. The response was for Chinnor to counter Wallingford’s first score at 22 – 7with a classic Ollie midfield burst to the line pressing home the domination in the loose.

Your correspondent detected a slight moistening in Rob Hill’s eyes late on in the second half as he was heard to say “I’ve never seen them play so well” – even Alan A was smiling as the final 2 tries were run in.

Maybe it was just (the) wind!

The scorers – Guy Carter, Nic Barker, Dom Bradbrook-Taylor (2), Tom Evans, Ollie Barker and Jason Hankins crossed the line. At half-time we were at 22 – 0, at full time, 37 – 7.

So let’s mention all those that put those guys through – Jack, Cameron and Ingy the bravest front row against guys stones heavier – Ingy would star later on with a solo run so magnificent everyone took a break to admire it! Ieuan and Josh superb in the line-out and so very mobile all over the pitch. Tommy and Dougie tackled, tackled and then did a bit more tackling just to make sure. Guy kept talking and leading from number 8 right to the end.

What did the backs do with that ball? Henry ran brilliant lines allowing Ollie to get space and the finishing by Tom, Dom and Nic was first class. Moving the ball around, kicking for territory and “taking one for the team” was your correspondent’s man of the match George Grose – who might remember some of the game when his head gets better later in the week.

Sad to see injuries on the Wallingford team – our wishes for swift recoveries are passed on to those involved. Nic Barker too, nursing a very painful shoulder from quite early on.

Please don’t forget those on the bench – theirs’ is sometime the hardest hour or so, waiting for the moment to come on and so often frustrated if the opportunity doesn’t come – Jack, Lewis, Matt and Connor – remember the game can’t be played without you. Not forgetting Rory and Rob G – early season casualties who turned up to support from the touchlines.

A big round of applause for the coaching team – Coaches Matthew Cundy, Alan Aitken, Mark Carter, Sam Angell, Alex Wingfield and of course led by Rob Hill.