Over the years Chinnor have provided stiff opposition, and this fixture was to be no different. You know roughly what to expect when at BBO 1 level the opposition arrive in a coach and all trott out in matching track suits. That said there was a steely confidence during the Cents warm up, a real air of anticipation.

Things didn’t go quite to plan when the Cents turned the ball over in the opening exchanges to gift the visitors a converted try with just 2 minutes played. From here on in, however, this was a tight, tight match.

A prolonged period of fine attacking play from the home side was rewarded with a try for A Dias converted by Leicester. This was just the confidence booster that the Cents required. Apart from a line out that misfired all afternoon Cents matched the opposition across the park. The scrum was solid and rolling maul functioned well. The backs ran moves with confidence. The team were working hard for each other.

As the first half drew to a close Chinnor scored to make it 7 - 12 at half time.

The second half was incredibly tight, with the Cents well organised defence absorbing everything that was thrown at them. It was a defensive display that had to be admired as tackle after tackle repelled a well organised Chinnor attack. Stirring stuff, great to watch. Territorially Cents had the upper hand, which made it all the more frustrating when Chinnor scored a converted try to deny the home side a losing bonus point.

Post match quote of the day from scrum half Gough summed the post match feelings up; “An honour playing with you all today, one of my personal highlights of my time with the Cents. shame about the result, but so much to take from it.”

Very well done to joint men of the match: Alex Leicester and Robin Taylor

Bernie Leicester.