Chinnor ‘Wildboys’ III XV Vs Grove 1st XV

Date: 2nd September 2023
Kick off: 2pm
Venue: Chinnor RFC, Rectory Pavilion, Kingsey Road, Thame ,Oxfordshire, OX9 3JL

For the opening game of the season, Grove travelled to last years league champions Chinnor Wildboys. They only lost 1 game in total last season and haven’t lost at home for some years. This proved to be a huge opening test for the Grove squad, who have worked incredibly hard in pre-season to rebuild following on from last season. It felt like a festival of rugby at Kingsey Road, with 3 home games for the hosts. The impeccable hospitality and perfect weather added to the occasion.

Starting XV:

1.Dave Hales
2.Tom McCarthy
3.George Hook
4.Sam Cooper
5.Elliot Martin
6.Lawrence Birkhead
7.Alex Harris
8.Mark Roberts (C)
9.Ollie Nicholl (VC)
10.Charlie Roberts
11.Will Nicol
12.Luke Mathews
13.Dylan Reeve
14.Sam Christensen
15.Billy Haist

Replacement Players:
16.Joe Cooper
17.Oli Blake
18.Matt Dunn

First Half Overview:
Chinnor manage to retain the ball from a short kick off into our half, in the 2nd phase Mark Roberts managed to get over the ball and win the penalty in Grove’s favour to win possession early. Chinnor were able to steal the ball from the lineout but lost possession after a few phases. Grove worked strongly through the phases to carrying the ball forward with intent up to Chinnor’s 10 yard line. Chinnor’s defence stood strong and got over the ball to get the ball up the pitch.

After a short period of Chinnor possession, Grove were able to pounce on a loose ball. Charlie put boot to ball to put Chinnor back under pressure with a great kick into their 22’. From the lineout Chinnor throw long and construct a Maul and start to drive, without Grove engaging and penalty awarded to Grove deep in Chinnor’s half. Ollie Nicholl steps up for the conversion attempt, but put it just wide of the left hand upright. After the solid kicking showing at Trowbridge in pre-season you would have heavily backed him to put that over.

From the restart Chinnor kicked long into Grove’s half, collected by Will Nichol who carries towards the half followed by an excellent kick and chase to put Chinnor back under pressure. After a few phases of Chinnor gaining yards, Dave Hales gets up well on the line to knock Chinnor back forcing them to use the boot to avoid losing territory.

A high tackle from Grove gave Chinnor the opportunity to kick into Grove’s half for the first sustained period of play in Grove’s half. Grove’s lineout wasn’t firing during the first half and after a long throw missing the jumpers, Chinnor were able to collect and drive themselves into Groves 22’. Spreading wide to their backs toward the left touchline they stretched Grove and put our defence under huge pressure. Relieved by a huge defensive showing from Grove and Luke Matthews getting himself over the ball to win the penalty!

Grove’s misfiring lineout again gifted Chinnor possession in our half and out us back under pressure. Leading to the spreading wide after a few phases. From an excellently weighted grubber kick in behind are defensive line, Chinnor chases well to score the opening try in the far corner. Backed up by an excellent kick from the touchline to add the extra conversion points to make the score 7-0.

From the kick off Will Nichol got through the gears to put pressure on Chinnor, who were unable to gather and knocked on. Luke Matthews stepped up as an on field physio as the 20 minute mark approached a Chinnor player went down with cramp. From a solid scrum, Charlie Roberts carried strong in contact toward Chinnor’s 22’. Grove then worked through the phases lead by Ollie Nicholl with Carries from Mark Roberts, Dave Hales & Tom McCarthy before spreading wide but losing it forward in the contact.

Play was then bought to a halt before the scrum could be set, forJack to come on with the tape as Elliot Martin had managed to rip the bottom off one of his boots in the last scrum. Might be time for a new pair.

From the Scrum, Chinnor quickly spread wide but was brought to a halt with a solid hit from Dylan Reeves in the middle of the field, which gave Grove time to organise and get there defensive line in shape. After multiple phases of solid defence from Grove pushing Chinnor deeper into their half. They resorted to the boot and with the luck of the bounce were able to kick long to get up into Grove’s half of the field.

Again Grove’s lineout was putting pressure on ourselves as another long throw from Tom McCarthy went over the jumper and gifted possession to Chinnor deep into our half. However continuing Grove’s strong defensive showing, Ollie Nicholl managed to get his hands onto the ball at Chinnors ruck to win the penalty and regain possession.

Chinnor were again able to steal a short throw to the front at the lineout and looked to spread the ball wide quickly, which was halted by a big hit from Alex Harris and Dave Hales. After a few phases through the Chinnor forwards, they were awarded a penalty for a high tackle and give them an opportunity to get into Grove’s half.

Lead by their No4, Chinnor recycled the ball well from the lineout and distributed the ball through the phases and get it wide closing in on Grove’s goal area. Grove defended Chinnor’s constructed Maul from the lineout well. This pushed Chinnor into moving the ball to the backs in pursuit of braking through Grove’s defensive line, which stood strong. This lead to Chinnor knocking on in the contact and Grove being awarded the scrum on their own 10 yard line. Grove retain the ball from a solid scrum and go to Charlie Roberts boot to relieve the pressure and get the ball up towards half way.

Chinnor’s efficient lineout again quickly gets the ball out to the backs and after a few phases from both sides it leads to scrum to Chinnor on the halfway. Grove dominate the Scrum pushing Chinnor back, despite the pressure Chinnor manage to get the ball out but Ollie Nicholl is quick to tackle the 9 but high and penalty awarded to Chinnor after they loose the ball in the next few phrases. Chinnor kick very deep into Grove’s half and get a lineout 10 yards out. Grove again stand strong in defence and keep Chinnor at bay through multiple phases. Eventually leading to Grove getting over the ball and winning the penalty to relieve the pressure once again.

After Charlie Roberts kick up to the 22, Grove got the lineout on point and retained to Ollie Nicholl, who kicked the ball deep into Chinnor’s half and bounced out into touch. Chinnor used the maul to great affect to get the ball out to the kicker who got them back up into Grove’s half, with a tip off of Mark Roberts hand Chinnor got the lineout on Grove’s 22’. From the resulting Chinnor phases, Luke Matthews made a big hit in the midfield and Chinnor lose the ball forward in contact. Ollie Nicholl clears with a box kick that bounces back into Dave Hales arms.

Luke Matthew’s kick looking for the space in behind is charged down and Chinnor push possession forward. But towards Dylan Reeve’s first and then Dave Hales who both put in big hits and push Chinnor backwards. In the next phase Will Nicol gets up quick to intercept Chinnor’s possession and Mark Roberts pumps the legs to drive Grove forward into Chinnor’s half. Once again lead by Ollie Nicholls Grove push through the phases with big carries into Chinnor’s defence. Resulting in Grove being awarded a penalty just outside the 22’ and Grove opting for a kick at the posts. Ollie Nicholls attempt pushes just wide of the left hand upright.

Grove return well through Billy Haist and Luke Matthews to get back up towards Chinnor’s 22’. With a big carry from Dave Hales, pushing into Chinnor’s defensive line. Grove are awarded a penalty for Chinnor being offside in the middle of the pitch on the 22’. Grove again opting for a kick at the posts, Charlie Roberts steps up and slots the kick down the middle to make the score 7-3. Ollie Nicholl takes a great catch from the restart and after both teams participate in a kicking exchange Grove retain possession on the half way line.

Charlie kicks the ball deep into Chinnor’s half, on the return Ollie Nicholl gets his hands over the ball at the ruck to win Grove a penalty. Charlie Roberts kicks the ball deep into Chinnor’s 22’ to give Grove a great opportunity in the closing stages of the first half. Grove lineout is again on point as Tom McCarthy finds Alex Harris in the air and offloads to Mark Roberts. Chinnor penalised for being in an offside position and then walked 10 for holding the ball an unsporting manner, this put Grove 10 yards out. Ollie Nicholl takes a quick tap and go and offloads to Mark Roberts who powers towards the line and reaches out a long arm to place the ball over the try line. However the referee penalised it as a double movement and penalty awarded to Chinnor, who kick it up towards the half way. The resulting lineout is given as not straight, scrum to Grove.

Grove quickly recycle the ball out of the scrum into the hands of the backs, Dylan Reeves carries well through Chinnor’s defensive line but offloads in the tackle forward to Luke Matthews. Scrum to Chinnor. They attempt a chip through after getting the ball out, but Billy Haist tidies it up nicely and returns the ball back towards Chinnor’s 22’. Charlie looks to build on the pressure by kicking towards the Chinnor 5 yards but just goes a fraction to far and the play is brought back up the field for a scrum to Chinnor. Elliot Martin makes a big tackle in the midfield to halt Chinnor’s progress from them running off the scrum possession.

Chinnor then brake the line and run at pace into Grove’s half but Billy Haist pulls the Chinnor players to the ground. Charlie Roberts tackles the Chinnor player who receives the offload and the ball is lost forward into Will Nichol’s hands. He then once again turns on the gears and runs towards the halfway before kicking deep into Chinnor’s half. The foot race is just won by Chinnor who get enough players back to retain possession on the 5 yard line. They then put the ball out into touch to bring the 1st half to an end.

A very strong opening half from Grove who dominated the territory and put Chinnor under huge amounts of pressure for long periods. A solid foundation to build on going into the 2nd half and go on and get the result.

First Half Summary:

Grove started the strongest with a series of attacks in the Chinnor half, but it was Chinnor who took the lead first. With a well worked try from the quick Wildboys backs, ending in a kick through for the winger to run onto and score.

Grove finally got themselves on the score sheet with a penalty from Charlie Roberts, after two other failed attempts. Grove felt aggrieved just before the break, as they felt Mark Roberts had gone over for a try, only to be disallowed for a double movement call.

HT Score: Chinnor III XV 7-3 Grove 1st XV
Penalties:
Charlie Roberts

Second Half Overview:

Changes:
Sam Cooper - Off
Sam Christensen - Off
Oli Blake- On
Matt Dunn - On

From the Grove restart Chinnor return the ball well up towards the halfway line. After they go through the phases with the forwards and struggle to gain yards against a strong Grove defence. They spread the ball wide and make progress down the side of the pitch with a series of quick offloads. With a lock of support at the breakdown on the 22, Grove are able to win the penalty and Charlie’s boot gets Grove up towards to the halfway to relieve the pressure.

Grove got the lineout off to a great start as Tom McCarthy hits Alex Harris in the air with an arrow. There was a huge amount of space behind the Chinnor defensive line and Charlie Roberts kicked to hit it but it had just a faction too long and it went out on the full to bring it back to just outside Grove’s 22. Chinnor knock on, Scrum to Grove. After a reset, a solid scrum from Grove who spread the ball to the backs but some fumbled handling gave Chinnor a penalty on Grove’s 22’. Chinnor fire through the phases but Groves defence stands tall following a 2nd scrum for a Grove knock on. Penalty awarded to Grove for a forward pass from Chinnor. Scrum to Grove.

From the scrum, Ollie distribute to Charlie who kicks to get the play up towards to the half way. Chinnor get penalised for not throwing straight, penalty to Grove. An absolute dominate scrum from Grove and they are rewarded with the penalty! Charlie’s kick doesn’t quite make it into touch and Chinnor gain possession and kick long. Billy Haist and Sam Christensen run it out and get Grove up to over the 22’. Charlie Roberts once again is the option and he kicks long to get play up into the Chinnor half.

Grove penalised at the lineout for contact in the air. Chinnor kick up to the halfway. From the lineout they looked to inject pace to play across the pitch but a loose offload backward caused them to scrabble and they were penalised for sealing off at the ruck. Giving Grove the opportunity to get up the field off Charlie Roberts boot. The lineout is recycled by Grove and Luke Matthews given the opportunity to run and gain yards. The offload taken by Alex Harris who is tackled high. Penalty to Grove.

Now in Chinnor’s 22, Grove arrow the lineout into a Maul. After halted progress, Matt Dunn is given the ball at speed to break the line and gains good yards but the offload is forward. Penalty to Chinnor. Grove drive the scrum forward forcing a quick exit from Chinnor. Oli Blake makes a quick tackle to build the pressure. Grove commit numbers and counter ruck to effect to take possession inside Chinnor’s 22’. Grove continue to fly through the phases at pace with direct running and rewarded with another penalty. Grove opt for another scrum, on this occasion the ball pops out the back of pack and between Mark Roberts & Ollie Nicholl they manage to retain possession and as a team see off the counter ruck attempts from Chinnor.

Grove reset to run through the phases and with a few consecutive pick and go drives they gain quick yardage putting them on Chinnor’s 5’ and forcing another penalty. Huge pushes from both side result in sideward movement and reset. Joe Cooper penalised for Grove for driving in and up to give Chinnor a reprieve. Chinnor’s kick doesn’t find touch and Billy Haist takes the catch and opens up his legs to drive Grove back into Chinnor’s half. The only way they could stop him was to grab his collar and Grove given the advantage. Oli Blake takes the offload and gain good yards taking the ball into contact. Taken back for the high tackle as the pass couldn’t be taken from the back of the ruck.

Charlie Roberts takes this opportunity again with a great kick finding touch inside Chinnor’s 22. Chinnor were able to steal the long throw and kick clear towards the half way. Billy Haist takes another good catch and with the help of Matt Dunn they held up play to allow Grove to get back in support. An inventive outside of the boot kick from Charlie pushed play again back into Chinnor’s 22. This lead to a Grove penalty which Mark Roberts took as a quick tap and go to drive Grove 5 out. Carries from Charlie Roberts and Joe Cooper bring Grove to yards out. Ollie Nicholl picks and goes of the base of the ruck to score just to the right of the posts. Charlie competes the job with the conversion and putting Grove into a 7-10 lead!

From the kick off, Ollie takes and kicks it back over the half way. Chinnor spread the play wide and pick up a series of penalties to drive them up to Grove’s 22 until the final kick for touch missed its mark and rolls into the dead ball. Ollie Nicholl kicks it long and Chinnor run it back into Grove’s half that is halted by a big Dave Hales tackle. Chinnor push through the phases playing expansive rugby to probe the Grove defensive line and do make good progress. Until a loose offload is collected by Tom McCarthy to regain possession for Grove and once again Charlie Roberts boot gets play up to the halfway.

Chinnor carry the ball from the lineout and get rewarded with a penalty and kick to just outside Grove’s 22. A knock on from Chinnor brings Grove a penalty and another chance at the scrum. Once again they deliver with a huge push, Ollie Nicholl gets it out the the backs who inject the pace and spread wide. Charlie Roberts delivers a huge hand off to Chinnor’s 10 to keep the progress continuing. The forwards are now brought back into play, Lawrence Birkhead and Mark Roberts carry well into contact. The ball is moved
wide to Samuel Christensen who gets a chance to run but just runs out of room and is put into touch on halfway.

Grove very nearly get hands to Chinnor’s lineout but they spread quickly to the back to get on the front foot. Grove thought they had won it back at the ruck with Luke Matthews getting over the ball but penalised for Charlie Roberts not rolling away from the tackle and impeding Chinnor to clear the jackaler. Chinnor opt for a tap and go from the middle of the park and after a few phases manage to break the Grove defensive line and pass there way through to score a try by the posts which as converted to make the score to 14-10.

Grove’s restart didn’t go the 10 yards needed, Chinnor scrum in the middle of the park. Grove completely dominated the scrum and won a penalty against the put in. Charlie put the kick deep into Chinnor’s 22 to put the pressure on in the closing stages of the match. Grove couldn’t quite gather the lineout and knocked on, Chinnor scrum 5 out. Once again, Grove dominated the scrum to win back possession.

Mark Roberts took a quick tap and go to knock Chinnor back. Ollie Nicholls then picked and go toward the line but was held up in the air, so he offloaded to George Hook who was there in space to score the try! Charlie Roberts adds the extras by converting the try. This put the score at 14-17 with almost no time left on the clock. Chinnor tried the short kick off but taken well by George Hook, who gets the ball presented for Ollie Nicholls at the ruck, who kicks to touch to end the match!

A huge eruption of emotion from all players, coaches and spectators showed how much the result meant to Grove at the full time whistle. It was a credit to everyone of the players as to how much work they have put in throughout pre-season, it was great to see all the hard work pay off. It is going to be a long and hard season but this is a great first result to build on.

Second Half Summary:

The second half was tense and tight, with both teams throwing everything they had. Grove struck first with Ollie Nicholls try and with momentum felt they could see out the game. However the Wildboys had other ideas, with a breakaway try late on. Making the score 14-10 with 4 minutes to play. Grove made good territory and were camped in the Wildboys 22. After two dominant scrums, Grove received a penalty. Captain Mark Roberts, took a quick tap and go, which ended up with George Hook going over from short range. Charlie Roberts converted the try to make the score 14-17 to Grove.

It was jubilation for the Grove team. A game that could have gone either way, but Grove felt that their strong defence and structure in attack made them deserved winners.

FT Score: Chinnor III XV 14-17 Grove 1st XV
Tries:
Ollie Nicholl
George Hook

Conversions:
Charlie Roberts x2

Penalties:
Charlie Roberts