Chinnor put end to three-year record

DEFENDING OBB Division 1 champions Rams Colts were beaten in the league for the first time in three years as Chinnor secured victory at Old Bath Road.

The two sides cancelled each other out in the early exchanges, albeit the visitors’ big forwards were getting their side over the gain-line slightly more than their opponents.

And it was Chinnor who took the lead with an off-load sending them under the posts for a converted try.

Rams replied shortly before half-time, with wing Josh Gouws initially making a searing break down the left to give his side good field position.

Soon after they made this count, neat handling off a scrum in their opponents’ 22 ending with Jordan Navetta crossing out wide with an arcing run from fullback.

He was unable to add the extras, but slotted a simple penalty early in the second period after Chinnor infringed at the breakdown.

Rams, however, were not at their best and they fell behind as their opponents turned down an even simpler potential kick, their gamble paying off as they too went left off a scrum before an inside ball was finished through midfield.

The conversion was successful, and the visitors next took the three points to make it a two-score game at 17-8.

And a third Chinnor try with a little more than
10 minutes remaining effectively finished the contest.

The away side had originally pinned Rams on their own line, and with the Berkshire side trying to pick-and-go to create space for a clearance kick, they were ruthlessly punished from a turnover for another seven points.

The hosts rallied strongly in the final
10 minutes, though, camping in their opponents’ half and for large parts their 22.

Their efforts were finally rewarded as Navetta doubled his tally with another looping run, but after he slotted the extras, Chinnor were able to boot the ball out soon after the restart to maintain their perfect start.

Rams will hope to bounce back to winning ways at home to Windsor in the last 32 of the National Cup on Sunday.