Caldy claim draw in dramatic climax

By JOHN LYON

Caldy…………………….27

Chinnor…………………27

CHINNOR and Caldy traded late penalties as a superb match ended in a thrilling draw.

The visitors started like a runaway train, forging into a 19-3 lead, but the home side fought back to lead 24-19.

Chinnor levelled and then looked to have won the game with a 75th minute penalty by Bader-Werner Pretorius. However, Caldy claimed a draw with a longrange 78th minute kick from Ben Jones.

After 20 minutes of a pulsating contest, Chinnor had scored three well-taken tries through winger Seb Scott and front-row forwards Robin Hardwick and Cameron Terry. The lead was built on the power of the Chinnor pack, with Soane Tongauiha dominating the scrum and Frederick Tuliagi rampaging in the loose.

It looked bleak for the home side, but centre Mike Barlow led the recovery with a try from a driven line-out and then the express pace of Nick Royle out-flanked the Chinnor defence. Conversions by Jones cut the lead to two points.

Caldy started the second half with an outstanding break by Nyle Davidson to put Royle in for his second.

Chinnor added another Bourton try in the corner to level before Pretorious and Jones took centre stage.