Chinnor at the double on an emotional day for the club
AFTER a season in which they played under pressure in every match, Chinnor appear to be enjoying life in National One without worrying about a promotion challenge.
Last season Chinnor had to battle all the way to get out of National Two South and they have now started life in the third flight in flying fashion with wins over Plymouth Albion and now Ampthill.
This game was a battle throughout, but Chinnor were able to withstand extended periods of Ampthill pressure in both halves, much to the delight of coach Matt Williams.
He said: “The beauty of this season is that we can just go out and enjoy ourselves without having to worry about whether we win or lose.
“Last year was a pressure season because we were desperate for promotion, whereas this year there are no expectations. I think that is helping the players in some ways.
“We had to weather a storm from Ampthill early on, as we knew we would, and they really came at us in the final stages as well but we’re thrilled with the win.”
It was an emotional day for all at the club – this was the first home game since physio Lauren Cyster passed away in June at just 26 years old from cancer.
Chinnor were clearly intent on honouring her memory but playing into a fairly strong breeze they were put under pressure by a lively Ampthill start and after eight minutes it was the visitors who led thanks to a Sam Baker score.
Further pressure from Chinnor was met with stiff resistance and Ampthill countered after forcing errors.
From a lineout on halfway following a wellexecuted driving maul for 20 metres, Bertie Hopkins kicked wide into the arms of Craig Holland, who offloaded for Alex Dancer to touch down.
Some two minutes later after some great handling
from Chinnor, Joe Dancer set up Craig Holland, who duly scored.
Kevin Barrett answered for Ampthill with some neat footwork.
There then followed a series of strong drives from Chinnor, and more quick ball to Holland allowed him to crash over.
Then, from a Chinnor lineout, a catch and drive resulted in a penalty try on the stroke of half-time. Chinnor led 24-14.
They started the second half well and, from anoth- er catch and drive, scored their fifth try through Joe Dancer.
Ampthill responded and Matt Collins went over but Chinnor had a sixth try when Reon Joseph picked up a loose ball and crashed over.
Ampthill pushed hard in the final ten minutes, conjuring up two further tries through Nigel Baker and Barrett’s second but they had left themselves too much to do and Chinnor saw out a second successive victory.