Chinnor 20, Old Patesians 19

CHINNOR were well worth only their second victory of the season in National 3 South after an excellent second-half defensive display.

The margin of victory may only have been one point, but it would have been cruel on the hosts if Old Patesians had sneaked it late on.

After two heavy defeats, Chinnor showed the sort of intensity they will need to compete in this division.

Both Old Pats' first two tries came when Chinnor lost possession, but after that their discipline and work rate was first class.

No 8 Johan De Bruin had an impressive match, heading a pack that competed throughout despite their weight disadvantage.

The omens did not look good for Chinnor, who had most of the early possession, when Old Pats scored with their first foray into the home 22 after seven minutes.

Scrum half Chris Walton tapped a quick penalty and squeezed over before Chinnor could react.

But they were level after 11 minutes when winger Martyn O'Mahony got a finger-tip to fly half Richard Williams's chip kick and touched down.

Chinnor were still leaving too many gaps and visiting fly half James Davies jinked through one to score under the posts on 16 minutes.

Full back Russell Nunn converted, but Chinnor's response was emphatic.

John Pritchard ran an excellent line to gift his centre partner Anthony Pyers a comfortable finish and Williams added the conversion.

With the wind behind them, Chinnor pegged Old Pats back, but they could not add to their try count.

Incisive running from full back Ben Hewitt and then Pyers created the best chance, but O'Mahony couldn't hold the scoring pass.

Williams slotted a penalty on 29 minutes, but many wondered if 15-12 was enough of a half-time lead.

With the rain now lashing down, Chinnor had to withstand plenty of pressure before carving out a fine team try.

Patient build-up in the forwards eventually created space for Williams to snipe through on 52 minutes, but he could not convert his own score.

A well-executed catch and drive move saw flanker Gethin Evans score for Old Pats five minutes later and Nunn's conversion made it 20-19.

The visitors must have fancied their chances now, but such was Chinnor's commitment that they never really looked like breaking through.

New skipper Matt Hutchins had to leave the field after a blow to the head, but his side held on superbly for a priceless win.

Chinnor: B Hewitt (Carter 40), Sutton, Pyers, Pricthard, O'Mahony, Williams, Wiseman, Coady, Immelman (Whelan 76), Conlon (Winpenny 69), Hutchings (capt) (Millburn 69), Burrows, Rixon, Beets, De Bruin.

Chinnor man-of-the-match: De Bruin.