Rugby: Chinnor and Quins out

From the archive, first published Tuesday 31st Aug 2004.

Oxfordshire's representatives in the Powergen Cup, Chinnor and Oxford Harlequins, both crashed out at the first hurdle.

Chinnor fell to a comprehensive 43-31 defeat at home to Coney Hill, while Quins were outgunned 69-0 at Worthing.

It was not just the scoreline but the manner of Chinnor's loss that will worry the coaching staff.

Fielding five debutants, the home team were totally outplayed by a side from one league lower than themselves.

Coney Hill's opening aggression was stemmed by a James Cathcart penalty, but, belying their league status, the visitors then produced four tries and three conversions, two going to flying winger Gavin Mann as they led 26-3 at half-time.

Coney Hill started the second half with an unconverted try in the first minute, Chinnor hitting back two minutes later with a try by debutant scrum half Danny Burns, converted by Cathcart.

Chinnor compounded their own problems when experienced centre Jon Brooks was sent off for a dangerous late shoulder tackle.

The Gloucestershire side charged on with two further tries and a conversion, before Chinnor mounted a bold fightback culminating in three tries in the closing ten minutes.

First, the forwards combined for a pushover try, then winger Leon Westerman and Aussie centre Cameron Shaw went over.

All three were converted by Cathcart, but it was too little, too late.

Oxford Harlequins could do nothing to contain a big and well-drilled Worthing side who play in London Division 1.

Quins opened brightly but soon found themselves 20 points down after 21 minutes.

They steadied the ship thanks to some outstanding work by the back row of Stephenson, Nye and Borowski, but Worthing scored two converted tries to increase the score to 34-0 at half-time.

After the interval, Quins brought on Barry Nutt and Will Houston, and seemed to gain some momentum, but Worthing hit back with five more tries, four of which were converted.

Quins went close several times, with prop Paul DeLange and hooker Simon Chadbone to the fore, but overall, this was a hard lesson.

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