Category: Sports News

MATT Williams, Director of Rugby at Chinnor Rugby Club, was full of praise for his Chinnor side as they left it late to beat fellow high-fliers Rosslyn Park 24-21 in a pulsating fixture on Saturday. 

Trailing 21-19 with two minutes to go, hooker Nick Selway crashed over from a driving lineout as the home side dug deep to claim a valuable win. 

The result has seen the Thame-based side close the gap to second-placed Park to just two points in National League 1, while Richmond moved ten points clear after beating Canterbury. 

Chinnor director of rugby Williams was thrilled with the result. “I’m delighted,”he said. “It wasn’t about the five points, it was about winning. I thought we made our life tougher than we needed to by gifting Rosslyn Park 14 points from two kicking errors, but otherwise I can’t be anything other than happy.” 

The day started with a heroic effort to beat Storm Jorge, with more than 20 volunteers helping to make the pitch playable. They were rewarded with a brilliant performance which saw Chinnor extend their winning run to six games. 

The home side led 19-7 at half-time, thanks to unconverted tries from Joe Rees and Jason Worrall, as well as three Laurence May penalties. 

Park crossed twice in the first ten minutes of the half through Ryan Roach and Josh Amadi, Lound converting both, to go 21-19 in front. 

It went down to the wire and with Stewart Maguire and Daniel Laventure in the sin-bin late on, Chinnor took their opportunity as Selway drove over for a valuable four points. 

Williams added: “Since Christmas, we’ve turned things around. Whether we’re behind or in front, we play to the final minute now. 

“We’ve now played the top three teams around us and it’s about getting as many points as we can between now and the end of the season and letting other results around us take care of themselves.” 

CHINA RFC’s Ehize Ehizode, who scored Chinnor’s only try in the 7-0 win over Canterbury away on Saturday, has been commenting on the match, hailing his side’s gutsy and gritty display as they dug deep to leave Canterbury with an away win. 

The lock’s eighth-minute converted try proved enough as the Thame-based side battled their way to a 7-0 victory in the midst of Storm Dennis. 

Chinnor’s latest triumph extended their winning streak in National League One, to five games, while they also stretched their unbeaten away run to seven matches. 

It was never going to be an easy afternoon at Merton Lane and with the conditions only deteriorating, Canterbury chose to defend into the wind and uphill for the opening 40 minutes. 

Chinnor were only able to score once in the first half, but followed it up with a superb, energy-sapping display after the break as the hosts never troubled the try-line. 

Ehizode said: “When you talk about matches being a ‘forwards game’ that definitely epitomises it. 

“Games like that you’ll remember not because the storm was taking place, but because you knew it was going to be a mental battle as a player – and a team –  to get back on your feet and carry again and again.” 

He added: “It was dark playing in those conditions. With the wind being so strong ten minutes into the first half, it was impossible to play with or against it because you never knew where the ball would end up if you were to kick or pass it.” 

The majority of the second half was contested between the 22s, with Chinnor enjoying a good amount of territory despite playing into the wind and up the slope. 

Canterbury had a hint of an opportunity late on with the visitors down to 14 men and defending a lineout ten metres out. 

But Joe Dancer brilliantly won the battle and Jason Worrall kicked the ball into touch to end the contest. 

Ehizode added: “We knew Canterbury would have the upper hand playing with the wind. Regardless of that, as a team we backed our defence which is now evident from not conceding a try in two games. 

“We knew we would have to defend for numerous phases and we would have to buy in for as long as they made a mistake and reap the benefits when we got the ball back.” 

He continued: “I felt ecstatic at the full-time whistle – I didn’t have to defend anymore. 

“It was a great game to be a part of because I felt it brought us together as a team having to play in conditions like that. 

“Coming down to Canterbury’s ground, only scoring a try and defending or pick and goes for the rest of the game is extremely tough, but it was all worth it.” 

SOURCE: Contributed – Image credit David Howlett 

MATT Williams, Director of Rugby, was delighted to see his Chinnor side secure their fourth successive bonus-point victory when beating Old Elthamians 33-3 on Saturday.

Tries from Jason Worrall (2), Joe Rees, Willie Ryan and Nick Selway helped the Thame-based club make it five victories from six games in 2020. With Richmond, Rosslyn Park and Rams also victorious, Chinnor remain fourth in National League 1, and four points off second place with eight games remaining.

Playing with a strong wind to their backs in the first half, the hosts were only able to score two tries in the opening 40 minutes despite dominating possession and territory. But they went on to cross three times in the last 18 minutes of the contest to earn another five-point victory.

Director of rugby Williams said: “Every week it’s about the game in front of us and it’s working for us. We’ve let the shackles off, we’re playing rugby and enjoying ourselves. You can’t ask for any more than 20 points out of 20.”

Williams added: “Fair play to OEs. In the first half, their defence was really good, they kept us out a few times. Having to play against the wind as we did, anyone would have said that we were under pressure going into the second half, but the guys stepped up to the plate and OEs didn’t have opportunities to score. I’m delighted for the boys.”

Tighthead prop, Rees, scored his first try for the club as Chinnor took the lead after 12 minutes.

“I won’t get many of those in my whole career to be honest,” said the Welshman. “So a trundle over from two metres, I’ll take that every day of the week!”
He added: “It was really tough. He added: “Obviously we’re thrilled with another four tries; that was the aim. We knew it was going to be a really attritional game, but we dug in there and got what we wanted.

“Momentum is with us, but we know it can swing at any moment. This league is full of great teams, so we have to back it up again next week against Canterbury. We’ve just got to look forward again.”

MATT Williams, Director of Rugby, is urging his Chinnor players to let the shackles off at Kingsey Road when Old Elthamians visit this weekend.

The Thame-based side are searching for their fifth win from six games in 2020 as they bid to further cut the gap to the teams immediately above them. Just a victory now separates fourth-placed Chinnor and Rosslyn Park who are second, with a six-match unbeaten away run playing a contributing factor.

Last week’s 42-24 win at Rotherham Titans means the side have now averaged 37 points in their last four away games. Old Elthamians were the last side to beat Chinnor on the road back in October and director of rugby Williams is hoping that form can be emulated at home as they search for a fourth successive win on Saturday.

“The boys are confident, our set-piece is going really well, and our attacking threat is where we wanted it to be earlier in the season,” said Matt. “We’re strong on the road, but now it’s about keeping the home momentum rolling. Sometimes you go into your shell at home because there’s an expectation. We had a very good home record (a few years ago) and that’s well documented.

“We’ve lost our way a little bit over the last 12 months at home, but away we’re enjoying it; we’re not worrying about field position; we’re playing very much heads-up rugby and it’s the same message for home now. It’s about letting the shackles off, play what you see, don’t become too scripted, but obviously build the momentum around the fact that we’ve got such a big set-piece.

“Chris Elder (ankle) and Caolan Ryan (concussion) are still sidelined, but Williams has close to a fully-fit squad. It’s exciting. I’ve been waiting for two years to have a moment where we have the depth we do. There’s over 30 very fit boys, (who are) very hungry for a starting jersey this week.”

SATURDAY’S SQUAD
Chinnor (v Old Elthamians, home): from Dancer, Fidler, Goss, Harries, Hoadley, Hodson, Kirwan, Laverick, Marley, May, McNulty, Pieterse, Ramshaw, Rees, W Ryan, Southworth, Selway, Thomas, Tyas, Watson, Worrall, Yawayawa.

CHINNOR delivered another superb performance on Saturday, to claim a bonus-point victory and extend their unbeaten run on the road to six games.

The Thame-based side scored six tries to beat Rotherham Titans 42-24 in blustery conditions. a victory that has helped them to further close the gap to the teams above them in National League One, and they are now only four points behind second-placed Rosslyn Park.

With the wind at their backs, Chinnor were dominant from the first whistle and opened up a 28-point lead after 29 minutes. Penalties were costing Titans, who had both Tom Benjamin and Dan Preston-Routledge sin-binned, before conceding a penalty try. Jason Worrall, Nick Selway and Kieran Goss then also crossed for Chinnor, Laurence May converting.

Rotherham hit back through Benjamin’s unconverted effort, but Chinnor went on to score a sensational try which saw them go from one end of the field to the other. May played out on his own five-metre line and Will Harries galloped through a gap and to the half-way line before sending Worrall racing over. May converted to make it 35-5 at the break.

Two tries in three minutes from Connor Dever and Ben Robbins, Sam Hollingsworth converting once, cut Chinnor’s lead. But the visitors scored their sixth try when Matt Marley forced his way over on 67 minutes, May adding the extras.

Titans picked up a consolatory four-try bonus point in the last play through Benjamin, but it did not dampen Chinnor’s day.

MATT Williams, Director of Rugby, is calling on his Chinnor players to build on last week’s pulsating, late victory over Cinderford and stay on the heels of the top three.

The Thame-based side head to Rotherham Titans this weekend bidding to make it three-straight wins in National League 1, while they are unbeaten in five games on the road. With ten rounds remaining, there is still plenty of rugby to be played while Rosslyn Park’s defeat at Plymouth Albion last week saw Chinnor cut the gap to third place to four points. The Oxfordshire club are in an upbeat mood, but know they can ill-afford to take Titans, who sit third from bottom, lightly.

Williams said: “There’s a lot of confidence in the squad. There’s been many times this season where the final bounce of the ball has gone against us, but it went in our favour on Saturday and moments like that can often create a swing in the season. We know what’s coming on Saturday. Rotherham are fighting for their lives at the moment at the other end of the table. They’re a better team than where they are, they know that, so on a small narrow pitch we know what’s coming.”

Williams added: “It’s about the coming week, not what we’ve done in the past, but at this key stage of the season momentum is very important. We’ve had two good wins in a row now, our away form is strong, we like a bus trip, so we’re looking forward to what Rotherham will bring.”

There is quite a former Titans contingent at Chinnor, with Josh McNulty, James Tyas, Jack Ramshaw, Ben Thomas, Carl Kirwan, Willie Ryan and Joe Rees all previously spending time at Clifton Lane. Caolan Ryan was also at Rotherham, but will not be involved this weekend due to concussion.

SATURDAY’S SQUAD (February 1, 2020)
Chinnor (v Rotherham Titans, away): from Ashby, Dancer, Ehizode, Harries, Hoadley, Hodson, Kirwan, Laverick, Manning, May, McNulty, Parilli-Ocampo, Pieterse, Ramshaw, Rees, W Ryan, Selway, Treviranus, Tyas, Worrall, Yawayawa, Watson.

CHINNOR RFC Thame, will be holding its next children’s camp during February half-term and bookings can now be made online.

This ever-popular skills and education course is a fantastic way for youngsters to develop their rugby in a fun environment. The camp will be held at the club’s Kingsey Road base from February 18-20. Coached by some of Chinnor’s first team players, the sessions will focus on kicking, footwork and tackle technique.

To book your child’s place, CLICK HERE. The camp costs £75 for all three days, although there is the option of just attending for one day, £30.

The club is looking for a couple of sponsors for the skills sessions. So, anyone interested in getting involved, should email Head of Community, Matt Goode via community@chinnor-rfc.com.

Skills sessions will also be held during the Easter holiday (April 7, 8, 9 & April 14, 15, 16) as well as the Summer half-term (May 26, 27, 28).

LAURENCE May held his nerve to land a last-minute conversion and earn Chinnor RFC a thrilling 28-27 victory over Cinderford on Saturday (January 26).

It proved a real battle at Kingsey Road and the hosts came away with five points when Will Harries crossed in the corner and fly-half May expertly kept his cool to add the vital extras. With Rosslyn Park losing at Plymouth Albion, fourth-placed Chinnor are now only four points behind third in National League 1.

The hosts led 14-0 inside ten minutes, with hooker Nick Selway scoring both tries against his former club. The first was a ‘pick and go’ from five metres after Pete Laverick had been stopped short, with the second being a more familiar driving lineout, May converting both. However, Cinderford hit back and scored three tries in the space of ten minutes while Chinnor had Josh Hodson in the sin-bin.

Harry Hone’s unconverted try had reduced the arrears, before Jack Hayes crossed twice in quick succession as the visitors led 19-14 at the break. Chinnor’s response was to dominate the first 20 minutes of the second period and Josh Pieterse drove over, May converting. But Cinderford refused to lie down and a George Barton penalty, as well as George Evans’s try saw them go 27-21 in front with ten minutes to go.

It looked like it was not going to be Chinnor’s day, but they piled on the pressure and with Evans in the sin-bin, they found space for Harries to go over in the corner, before May coolly slotted over the match-winning conversion.

Director’s comments

Director of Rugby at Chinnor, Matt Williams, was full of praise for his Chinnor players as they dug deep to secure what was a dramatic, 28-27 victory at home to Cinderford.

Laurence May converted Will Harries’s try in the last play to earn the Oxfordshire side a bonus-point win in a physical National League 1 contest.
Having dominated most of the second half, it was the least Chinnor deserved, but they showed fantastic character to keep coming at a Cinderford side which defended heroically.

Matt Williams said: “It was a great game, it always is. Chinnor-Cinderford is a match that both clubs really look forward to. We always have a great arm wrestle and it was exactly that. The paying public really enjoyed the game and it went through to the final play when we got over the line.

“I’ve got to give huge credit to Cinderford’s defence though – it was stellar. They kept us out time after time after time and eventually we got over in the corner, but obviously Loz May had to seriously keep his nerve for a difficult kick. Much credit to Laurence, but also much credit to our team for keeping going until the dying death.

“Weaker teams would have rolled over and lost and I’m really proud of the boys, they did a sterling job. The result helped Chinnor close the gap to third-placed Rosslyn Park, who lost at Plymouth Albion, to four points.”

Williams added: “It was a huge win. The last two years Cinderford have come here and given us a good thumping. Backed on from the confidence of last week, to beat Cinderford by one point is all I could ask. To come away with a bonus point win is delightful. We’ve taken ten points from two games now. You can see the confidence and camaraderie in the boys and we’ve just got to keep rolling now.

“It’s solely about worrying about ourselves and taking each game as it comes, but make no bones about it that was a huge win for us and I’m proud of the boys.”

May seemed to be the coolest person in the ground when stepping up to convert from the touchline. The fly-half said: “it was great. I didn’t think I’d put enough on it at one point. We’ve got some great personalities at the club and it’s just great to get everyone around (at the end) and that feeling afterwards is just incredible.

“When we’re winning and playing great rugby, it’s one of the most enjoyable places to be.”

DIRECTOR of Rugby at Chinnor RFC, MATT Williams, couldn’t hide his delight after Chinnor claimed victory at Bishop’s Stortford for the first time in their history on Saturday (January 18, 2020).

A hat-trick of tries from Nick Selway and a Jason Worrall helped the Thame-based side to an impressive 30-17 triumph at Silver Leys. It was a bonus-point victory built around a dominant forward pack, which proved formidable at set-piece. The result lifted Chinnor back up to fourth in National League 1 and director Matt Williams was thrilled to finally defeat Stortford at the sixth time of asking.

“It was the perfect tonic to last week’s disappointment (the defeat to Rams),” he said. “The boys responded in style. We were brutal at set-piece, when we went to the corner we scored and I thought, knowing what Bishop’s Stortford were going to bring with their attacking flair, defensively we marshalled them well and the boys deserved their five points.

“It was a very proud moment for me. It felt like the performance we have been waiting for this season and we were in control from start to finish. We’ve now got to push on again, but to win at Bishop’s Stortford means a lot to the club and I think the travelling supporters will have very much enjoyed that victory.”

James Tyas was a part of the superb forward pack, with Chinnor dominant at scrum time and scoring three of their four tries from driving lineouts. “It was an awesome week with two training sessions in torrential rain,” remarked Matt, “and then to come to Bishop’s Stortford and put in a performance is really pleasing.
“The pack were brilliant and it just showed the forward dominance that we wanted. We know that our scrum is one of the best in the league and we put a lot of work into it. We want to continue to build on it and have that reputation for being one of the feared packs.”

Caolan Ryan made his first start at fly-half this season, having spent most of the campaign playing at full-back. As well as kicking ten points, he caused Stortford problems all afternoon and Williams was impressed. He said: “Caolan was class. He got our attacking brand of rugby working really well. To be in a position where we have two outstanding tens in Laurence May and Caolan is a luxury and Caolan really took his chance.

“But it was a team performance. Our defence, on occasions, has let us down, but the boys really brought it and we took complete control up front.”

Chinnor are next in action this Saturday, welcoming Cinderford to Thame for a 3pm kick-off.

A PROUD Matt Williams, the team’s Director of Rugby, hailed Chinnor’s Friday night experiment a success despite a narrow defeat to Rams in a rip-roaring contest.

The Berkshire visitors clinched a 21-17 win at Kingsey Road, but the home side dominated the second half and felt they should have completed a memorable comeback from 21-3 down.

With 1,020 spectators being treated to a thrilling game in Chinnor’s first Friday night league fixture, Williams was delighted the occasion proved such a success, attracting the largest attendance of the season. “The crowd were unbelievable,” he said. “The Friday night experiment was nothing short of majestic. I’ve never seen so many people here and as a paying member of the public, you got to experience a really great game of rugby.”

Chinnor trailed 21-3 after 44 minutes of the National League 1 contest, but went on to take control. Tries from Jason Worrall and James Tyas hauled the Thame-based side to within four points with still more than 20 minutes to go. But, despite creating a number of chances, Chinnor were unable to cross again and had a lineout five metres out stolen in virtually the last play as they looked to clinch the latest of victories.

Williams added: “I’m absolutely gutted. After we gifted them a try at the start of the second half, we were galvanised; we suddenly played high-tempo rugby, and we took them apart for 35 minutes.

“We dominated the scrum against a team who are meant to be the best scrum team, and our lineout, which has been our bread and butter, let us down. As proud as I am of the boys, and I’m really proud of them for the performance they put in after that try at the start of the second half. I’m also gutted because we butchered three – maybe even four – scoring chances to get that winning try and that’s not good enough.

“So the boys are hurting now because they put their body, heart and soul into that second half. But all credit to Rams. At the end of the day, you can’t suddenly, with 35 minutes of the game left, decide to play rugby because in the first half I thought Rams were exceptional.”

Chinnor are back on their travels this weekend, with an away trip to Bishops Stortford.