Barum resistance finally Strang-led

Barnstaple ...... 15 Chinnor ............ 17

BASIL Strang kicked a penalty two minutes from time to spare Chinnor a shock defeat.

The division’s early pacesetters had lost their way in a run of three games without a win but Strang put them back on track. Even a red card for Richard Thorpe, after a stamp, could not stop Chinnor dominating the second half.

Barnstaple, playing into the wind, struggled to get out of their 22.

Barum defended well, with Will Topps, Jordan Petherbridge and Bryn Jenkins making trysaving tackles, but eventually a ruck infringement gave Strang his opportunity.

Barnstaple edged an open first half, earning themselves a standing ovation at the break.

They conceded a try in the second minute when Nathan Hannay crashed over from close range but responded immediately with Topps taking a long pass from Jake Murphy and stepping through.

Isaac Hydleman put them ahead with a penalty before Strang restored Chinnor’s lead when he slipped a tackle to score a try he also converted.

Barnstaple finished the half on the front foot and scored a brilliant try from a line-out, with Matt Gohl surging over.

But despite their best efforts, it was a lead they were not quite able to hold in the second half.