Bishop's Stortford 1st XV 7 Chinnor 26

The match kicked of in wet conditions and, though there was no rain during the match, the pitch conditions could definitely be described as heavy. Despite these conditions Stortford produced a splendid passage of three-quarter interplay by the backs and on 8 minutes Chris Smith came off his wing to finish the move, started by Dan Powell near halfway and carried on by Chris Bolton in close support The try under the posts was converted by Matt Riddington. It proved to be pretty much the one attacking highlight of the game for Stortford, however, against a very powerful opposition. Chinnor came back strongly and scored two close range tries. The first, on 16 minutes was scored by the Chinnor hooker, Alun Walker from a 5 metre lineout drive, and the second, on 22 minutes by prop, Robin Hardwick diving over from the fringe of a ruck. This second try was converted by the Chinnor outside half George Worboys. The first half now became a kicking duel with Chinnor just having the territorial advantage but the sides went in at half time with the score 7-12 to Chinnor.

The second half was played almost entirely in the Stortford half and much of it in their 22! This allowed the home side to show the best of their defensive skills, as they repelled wave after wave of concerted Chinnor attacks. They managed to frustrate the visitors for 33 minutes, producing a number of crucial turnovers in the red zone, but were unable to press the aggressive opposition back for any length of time, with some loose kicking and, latterly, a number of lineout losses resulting in lost ball. Chinnor declined a number of easy penalty kicks at goal and it was clear they were playing for the four try bonus point, adding to their frustrations, as attack after attack foundered. Eventually, it was only a charge down by Connor-Terrah Brockschmidt of an attempted clearance from the base of a defensive ruck that brought a crucial breakthrough for the visitors. The ball bounced kindly for the second row, who followed up to touch down unopposed, giving Worboys an easy conversion. Stortford continued to defend their line gallantly, but their prolonged heroic defensive effort had obviously taken its toll and Chinnor finally got their bonus point try by centre, James Bourton in the 79th minute, also converted by Worboys. A disappointing end to the game for the Stortford team and their many supporters and a final scoreline that did scant justice to the battling performance.

Special thanks today go to Mantle Space, Matchday Sponsors and Tees Law, Man of the Match Sponsors, who are both major supporters of the Club. The Man of the Match award went to skipper, James Ayrton, who led from the front in his team's tremendous defensive display.