Chinnor refused to let the big freeze dampen their spirits on Saturday.

Although their National 3 South West derby with Oxford Harlequins had already been called off due to a frozen pitch, Chinnor went ahead with their Christmas lunch and entertainment.

Secretary Carol Bradbrook-Taylor said: “The Irish band got stuck in snow, so the players stepped in to sing Christmas carols and rugby songs.

“As the festive noise rang out across Thame, people were coming to the club to enjoy the social side if not the playing.”

l FORMER Oxford University prop Ollie Tomaszczyk has been handed his first start for Worcester Warriors.

Tomaszczyk, the Dark Blues’ player of the year in 2009-10, gets the No 3 shirt for Worcester’s December 28 clash with Moseley at Sixways.

His chance comes after several impressive displays as a replacement, which Warriors’ press release said had earned him ‘cult hero’ status with their fans.