Cathcart is hero for Chinnor

From the archive, first published Tuesday 25th Nov 2003.

Oxford Harlequins 10, Chinnor 11: James Cathcart became the Chinnor hero by landing a dramatic penalty with the very last kick of the game to earn his side a dramatic victory in their South West 1 derby clash at Horspath Road on Saturday.

Oxford Harlequins, who had led from the 14th minute, were penalised at a ruck five metres inside their own half.

In the gathering gloom, Cathcart stepped up, and with a strong breeze at his back, slotted the ball between the posts with at least ten metres to spare.

So the big-kicking fly half, who did much to keep Quins pinned in their own half after the break, gave his side a much-needed victory.

It was a dramatic end to a turgid game, in which the sides cancelled each other out in many areas - and the players knew each others' strengths inside out.

While Quins tried to run the ball in the cold and wet conditions, they lacked the class in the centre they had in the past and made too many mistakes.

Chinnor, on the other hand, played to their strengths - a good mauling pack, plus the boot of Cathcart.

Quins made the quicker start and took the lead when evergreen prop Jon Silversides drove deep into the 22, and fly half Chris Penney, with a neat dummy, darted in by the posts.

Penney kicked the conversion and added a penalty to put Quins 10-0 ahead and seemingly in command.

But Chinnor, who lost full back Alan Cawston with a hamstring injury, stirred themselves after a sluggish start and got back into the game on the half-hour.

They kicked a penalty to touch, and from the ensuing line-out, drove over for a try, scored, surprisingly, by centre Jon Brooks.

Trailing 10-5 at the break, Chinnor kept their hosts pegged back for long periods, but the play became increasingly scrappy and some spectators turned to watch the more entertaining third-team game on the neighbouring pitch.

After missing one simple penalty, Cathcart landed another to make it 10-8 and a strong break by impressive flanker Dave Seymour nearly brought a Chinnor try.

But Quins, led by a strong display from Jamie Cope, looked to have weathered the storm - until Cathcart's late, late strike.