Match Report Chinnor – V – Bicester 15 February 2009

Chinnor 17 V Bicester 22

Despite both sides having several players absent due to the half term break, squads of around 25 players were used to the full by both teams, demonstrating the strength in depth of both clubs. This match was expected to be the footnote to the County Cup semi final, but the postponement of that game, now to be played under flood lights on Wednesday 25th February, lead to this becoming a glimpse of what is surely to be a great game next week.

The early exchanges were characteristically robust from both teams, if a little scrappy, with both packs testing the opposition. This Bicester Pack, with perhaps the smallest front row of the season of Ollie Cavey, Harry Bishop and James Nellis became dominant, and with Ollie Cassidy showing his versatility at No8 they took the upper hand with Jack Stone a constant thorn in the side of the opposition.

With around 15 minutes of the first half gone, quick ball from the forwards saw the backs given time and space, Conor White, who had started the game on the wing, found himself in a little too much space, and with the try line beckoning, chose to cut inside. Thankfully Tim Price, leading the side for the day was in support and quick ball created by Tim for the supporting forwards was recycled a number of times. Ollie Cassidy picked up and drove for the line, Isaac Bensley again secured quick clean ball and Chris Nourse was put in for the first try of the game.

With all recognised kickers absent, Anthony Iveson took the responsibility for the conversion and only narrowly missed with a fine first attempt.

Chinnor responded well and pressured the Bicester 22 where they were awarded a scrum. Harry Bishop took the ball against the head and quick thinking by Isaac and Chris saw Anthony put into space, his electric pace saw him quickly to the opposition 22 where he was stopped, not for the last time, by an excellent tackle from the Chinnor Fullback.

This break lead to further Bicester pressure, rewarded following several passages of patient play by a second try when Ed Mawdsley touched down. Again the conversion was missed.
Bicester were now dominant and a typical break by Dan Rowland only minutes after coming on as a sub saw him tackled yards short of the line. Dan’s quick thinking and strength enabled him to regain his feet and feed Cameron Fortin Smith in support, who crashed over for the third try of the half. Again Anthony stepped forward for the conversion, this time an excellent kick saw the half time lead increased to Chinnor 0 – Bicester 17.

Chinnor were visibly determined to reduce the deficit in the second half, their backs were only just stopped from breaking away a number of times, often by the excellent tackling of Tim Price. Eventually the Chinnor backs and forwards combined and a half break was capitalised upon when the Bicester pack were rucked clear allowing the Chinnor centre to sprint clear unchallenged from the 22.
The subsequent conversion narrowed the gap to 10 points and the game came alive. Virtually from the kick off the Chinnor backs needed little invitation to exploit the gaps left by Bicester’s dog legged rush defence to run in another try unopposed. With around 10 minutes to go, all was to play for. Unfortunately due to injuries, the cutting edge of the Chinnor backs was blunted and when the Chinnor front row were depleted and uncontested scrums resulted, Bicester again gained the upper hand. Ed Mawdsley now at No 8 , picked from the base of the scum and showed pace to outflank the defenders on the blindside as he powered over for a score in the corner.

The final phases of the game were dominated by a series of sweeping moves by Bicester, seeing quick ball produced by the forwards for the backs to move deftly through numerous fine passes. Eventually Dan Rowland, only inches from the line, put a rampaging Anthony Iveson in for a clear score, an almost perfect try was marred only by one slight detail. Anthony, in his eagerness to make the conversion easier for himself, forgot to put the ball down and was forced over the dead ball line!

With only two minutes remaining, Chinnor again attacked and when Bicester infringed were awarded a penalty only 5m from the line, several charges were withheld, but when the ball was eventually moved wide the deficit was reduced to only 5 points. The final minute was a nervous one for Bicester’s faithful supporters, but thankfully the final whistle sounded!

Final Score Chinnor 17 – Bicester 22.
Tries: Chris Nourse; Ed Mawdsley (2); Cameron Fortin Smith
Conversion: Anthony Iveson

Players Man of the Match – The Team
Coaches Man of the Match – Tim Price