Chinnor 43, Maidenhead 14

Chinnor ran in seven tries to record a comprehensive victory over National 3 South West basement boys Maidenhead.

A dominant first half, which ended with them 29-0 ahead, meant Chinnor could even afford a comparatively flat second period and something of a Maidenhead rally.

While nine tries were scored in all, there were also plenty of off-the-ball incidents to get the crowd going on a cold day.

Punches were thrown at regular intervals, but fortunately for the culprits, most occurred out of referee Simon Lane’s sight – although he could have been more observant.

Chinnor stamped their authority on the game after four minutes when lock Harry Jackman’s line-out catch set up skipper Matt Hutchings to drive over.

Maidenhead fly half Ed Keohane went on to have a strong game, but missed a sitter of a penalty on seven minutes.

Chinnor’s second try was spectacular stuff as flanker Sam Jones stole the ball in his own half, powered forward.

Scrum half Toby Prescott took up the running and linked with centre Sam Stoop, who juggled the ball, but held on to motor in and convert his own try.

It was 19-0 after just 13 minutes when centre Ben Hewitt created space for wing Ben Farr, who scorched in on the left, Stoop converting.

Flanker Liam Gilbert, who was outstanding throughout, claimed the restart and galloped 60 metres downfield before being stopped just short.

Farr was denied the bonus point try due to a forward pass on 23 minutes, but it came from the next play.

Maidenhead could not secure their own scrum ball and were left flat-footed as Prescott scampered over on the left.

The next action saw Chinnor fly half Mark Chase and Maidenhead full back Alex Cannon exchanging blows as play went on 30 metres up field!

Farr had to leave the field with a facial injury, while the visitors managed very little with the possession they secured.

Chinnor struck again in the stoppage time when replacement full back James Cathcart gathered a bouncing ball, beat his man and scampered over before Maidenhead’s sluggish defence had time to react.

The visitors must have feared the worst when Chinnor No 8 Tom Mowbray scored from a 40-metre rolling maul just after the break, Cathcart converting.

But they did show far more application and character than they had in the first period.

Maidenhead’s efforts were rewarded when Keohane ploughed over following a quick penalty and he added the conversion.

A 59th-minute scuffle between Chase and visiting wing Sam Stefan saw both dispatched to the sin bin.

Maidenhead centre Jonny Hammond knocked on when presented with a great chance on 67 minutes.

At the other end, Chinnor were far more clinical as a slick move ended with Alex Wallace squeezing in for a left-wing try, expertly converted by Cathcart.

Keohane jinked through for his second try, which he converted, and both he and Hammond went close late on, but this was still an impressive home win.

Chinnor: Wallace, R Williams, B Hewitt, Stoop, Farr (Cathcart 27), Chase, Prescott, Winpenny (Whelan 47), Cawston, Pickett, Hutchings (capt), Jackman, Gilbert, Jones (Hastings 63), Mowbray.

Referee: S Lane (Devon).

Man-of-the-match: Gilbert.