Rugby: Chinnor dig deep to see off Cornishmen

From the archive, first published Tuesday 2nd Nov 2004.

Chinnor withstood late Penryn pressure to record a thrilling 38-30 triumph at Kingsey Road.

The home side frittered away a ten-point advantage midway through the second period, allowing Penryn back in with two tries in five minutes, before digging deep into their reserves to achieve a much-needed victory.

A try in the first minute got Chinnor off to a flying start when James Cathcart's up-and-under was fumbled and Darren Oxley got the touchdown. Cathcart added the conversion.

Penryn struck back via the boot of captain Dave Pascoe, who unerringly kicked three penalties to put the visitors in front.

Cathcart went over for Chinnor's second try, which he converted, but it was Penryn who led at the break, thanks to a try by Mann, converted by Pascoe.

Oxley's second try, followed by another from full back Richard Major, which he converted, then gave Chinnor a ten-point cushion, but instead of consolidating, they allowed the visitors back into the game.

A loose pass led to full back Brown going in for a try and then Pascoe scampered over for another. With Pascoe converting both, Penryn edged into the lead.

Chinnor were far from finished, however. They replied with tries from Sam McIvor, after a one-handed catch, and Cameron Shaw to settle their nerves, and a final onslaught from Penryn was held at bay.

Oxford Harlequins' fine run came to a halt away to unbeaten leaders Cinderford, who ran out 38-10 victors.

Cinderford, well served by former Henley scrum half Liam Smye, went ahead with a penalty from full back Trigg.

He was to become a thorn in their side, converting a try from Goatley and then landing two more penalties for a 16-0 lead.

Quins were living off scraps and owed much to the tremendous work by the back row of Shaun Baxter, Jamie Cope and Paul Nye, but they could not prevent another Cinderford try from flanker Patea, which Trigg converted to make it 23-0 at half-time.

The visitors upped their game after the break, scrum half Antony Cope being halted three metres short of the line after a 40-metre run, but it was Cinderford who increased their lead when centre Coates went over for a try.

Quins got on the scoreboard with a superb try from left wing Will Greenwood under the posts, Dean Aven missing the conversion, only for another Trigg penalty to make it 31-5.

The Cinderford full back then converted his own try, before Quins had the final word when Nye crashed through several defenders to score in the corner.

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