RUGBY: Chinnor ride out storm

It means they jump back above Oxfordshire rivals Oxford Harlequins, who were thumped 45-0 at Clifton.

Electing to play up the slope, Chinnor soon came under heavy pressure, with the back row of Jack Martin, Mike Cook and Zane Winslade making tackle after tackle.

The Old Boys were res- tricted to just three points from a penalty in the first quarter and when Chinnor finally broke their shackles, James Cathcart landed an equalising penalty.

Another Cathcart penalty just before the interval gave Chinnor an improbable lead at half-time, after which it was the visitors' turn to play down the slope.

They extended their lead when Richard Grimsdell, showing a fine turn of pace, scored wide out and Cathcart's fine conversion gave Chinnor some breathing space.

Old Boys upped their forward effort and after a series of rolling mauls and drives were rewarded when their abrasive scrum half went over for a converted try.

Chinnor replied when a high kick by Cathcart across the home posts saw the ball bounce obligingly for James Major to get the touchdown.

The conversion and another penalty by Cathcart put Chinnor in command and although the Old Boys scored a final try in the final minutes, Chinnor ran out worthy winners.

Oxford Harlequins were outgunned by a well-drilled Clifton side, who included several Bristol Academy players, although the 45-0 scoreline flattered them.

Two early penalties gave Clifton an early advantage, before Quins countered with a break from fly half Matt Maudsley which almost brought a score.

Hooker Simon Chadbone and No 8 Paul Nye also went close, but Clifton took their chances with a try and two more penalties to go in at the interval 19-0 up.

Heavy rain in the second half made conditions slippery, but two more tries from Clifton, one converted, put them out of sight.

Quins put together some good moves but the final pass went to ground on several occasions and two more converted tries completed Clifton's victory.