Chinnor chairman Jeff Deighton says they remain committed to youth development - despite axing their academy.

Academy coaches were left bemused by the surprise decision announced halfway through a training session, but Deighton said Chinnor will be revamping their colts side to compensate.

"We felt that we couldn't have a strong colts side and a strong academy, so we are merging the two," said Deighton.

"It will be announced soon how exactly we are going to do it.

"We will take the elite players and give them top coaching. Having a colts and an academy side was difficult to manage.

"It was like two separate entities, so we are going for something combined."

The decision came with academy coaches feeling they had made real progress over the last 18 months, culminating in their last game at home to London Wasps Under 18s.

They also felt they had not been given a good explanation.

Clive Davies, who managed the academy, said the news had come as a shock, but didn't wish to elaborate.

He simply said: "As a consequence of the decision, we have had no alternative than to close the academy with immediate effect.

"I would like to thank all the players, coaches and parents for their enthusiasm and hard work over the past two years."

This season, a number of academy players including Bob Baker, Tristan Corp and Sam Blewitt have impressed for Chinnor's first team.

Davies and his team are now considering their next move and have not ruled out teaming up with another club.