Chinnor on song again to silence the doubters

By MO SHER

Chinnor …………..40pts

Tries: Currie 8, Richman 24, Wharton 29,

Walker 71, 80; Campbell 76

Richmond …….. 24pts

Tries: Addams 33, 64, 73; Hocking 56

Conversions: Grieve 57, 65

Conversions: Richman 9, 25, 30, 72, 80

MANY suggested Chinnor had outdone themselves by making the play-offs last season. But this third win on the bounce showed all the hallmarks of a group at home at this level.

Playmaker Liam Rich-man was delighted with his side’s effort, in challenging conditions.

‘That was another tough game, and this league keeps providing them. It’s nice to come away on the right side of it,” he said.

‘There were strange conditions out there, with a swirling wind, but I thought we had some good defensive sets, held on, and then got a couple of late ones.”

Richmond started brightly but Chinnor settled, opening up a 21-5half-time lead.

Their early success, however, was built on a touch of fortune.

Brad Currie was on the end of an ugly hack forward from Luke Carter, his dexterity allowing Chinnor to get off and running, ahead of an even more opportunistic second.

He was in the right place to pick off a Lewis Dennett pass and had just enough in the tank to race over from halfway.

Walker made amends with a trademark five-pointer from a rolling maul, but Richmond weren’t done, Addams wrapping up his hat-trick.

Richmond showed plenty of resilience and secured a much-needed foothold just before half-time when Josh Addams scored an excellent individual effort, utilising just half-a-yard against the touchline to wiggle over.

And that was the fuel the visitors needed. From nowhere, they made it a two-point game with 15 minutes remaining.

Harry Hocking picked off a wayward Alun Walker lineout throw to reduce the arrears, before Addams went over for his second.

Richman is a rock-solid gel at the heart of this Chinnor group, and it’s not often he gets on the scoresheet.

With a large home crowd apprehensive, their team finally came through.

Their third was ruthless. Izzy Wharton – outstanding with and without the ball – played first receiver from a line-out and, with assistance from James Bourton and Jack Metcalf, finished off a training-ground move.

Jamie Campbell registered Chinnor’s sixth after a fine offload from Will Cave, Walker rubbing salt in Richmond’s wounds with yet another maul score.