Rugby: Chinnor claim derby spoils

From the archive, first published Tuesday 7th Mar 2006.

CHINNOR gained deserved revenge for last month's Oxfordshire Cup loss with a classy, controlled display in their 29-10 South West 1 victory at Horspath Road.

On that occasion Quins' greater intensity saw them through to the semi-finals, but this time it was Chinnor who dominated up front.

No one contributed more to their effort than flanker Ed Rixon, who replaced the injured Paul Hennessy early on and was everywhere in attack and defence.

The visitors' margin of victory said everything for their finishing prowess and they scored five good tries.

Quins had plenty of possession and territory, particularly with the wind behind them in the second half, but aside from centre Andy Henley, never posed the same scoring threat.

Chinnor's intent was clear from the kick off and they led after just two minutes.

A powerful rolling maul started on the 22 and ended with Tongan international flanker Rodney Mahe touching down.

Quins refused to buckle, however, and defended with great tenacity.

Henley and winger Charlie Murphy twice created good openings, but Chinnor were clearly the more dangerous side.

On 33 minutes, quick hands from centre Sam Soane and full back James Hewitt created a try for centre Darren Oxley.

Fly half Matt Buckley added the conversion, but Quins centre Sam Stoop reduced the deficit with a 35th-minute penalty.

Chinnor scrum half Morgan Thompson looked lively throughout and it was his dart that created try No 3 just before the break.

The supporting Rixon had to stoop low to scoop up the pass before diving over.

Despite trailing 17-3 at half time, Quins will have felt they had a chance with the wind in their favour.

Their best chance came with an overlap after 44 minutes, but they opted for an extravagant pass and Henley knocked on.

Chinnor delivered the sucker punch on 50 minutes when Buckley broke the line and fed winger Rewi Tolich, who galloped over.

Buckley converted, but Quins hit back immediately when prop Tom Chapman and fly half Ben Cottenden created space for Henley to motor over on the left.

Stoop slotted the extras and you wondered if Chinnor might start wobbling.

Winger Eric Brown, who had twice unleashed bruising tackles on Quins full back Peter Yee, looked to be in for a try on 65 minutes.

But the referee adjudged Mahe had given him a forward pass.

Brown had a big hand in Chinnor's fifth score two minutes later, cleverly off-loading for the overlapping Immelman to sprint home.

Rixon stopped breaks from Henley and flanker Jamie Cope in the final ten minutes, while Brown just halted Elio Recchia late on.

The game ended on a sour note when Mahe punched Quins lock Ali Cradock, but he escaped punishment.

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