RUGBY: Cathcart kicking earns Chinnor draw in league clash

Although the game signals the end of their realistic title aspirations, it strengthens Chinnor’s grip on second place – meaning fate is in their own hands with two games to go.

The visitors started well, and went ahead when an overlap presented them with a clear opportunity.

The hosts’ Dom Gosling, however, batted the ball away and was penalised by the referee with a yellow card – but not a penalty try – and James Cathcart made it 3-0.

Four minutes later, however, Redingensians went ahead when a catch and drive ended with Rob Stapley touching down in the corner.

But it was then Chinnor’s turn to regain the lead when an attempted clearance was charged down by Matt Goode, who slid in a grubber kick to the line for Pip Seymour to touch down for a Chinnor try.

Cathcart’s conversion gave Chinnor a 10-5 lead.

Guy Swadling slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit to 10-8, but just before half-time, Cathcart landed two difficult penalties to give Chinnor a 16-8 interval advantage.

Chinnor began the second half without the services of Goode, who injured an ankle at the end of the first half, Tom Gray replacing him.

Six minutes after kick-off, Redingensians scored their second try when No 8 Rob Stapley brushed off three weak tackles to go over.

With Swadling’s conversion, Redingensians were now just one point behind at 16-15.

Cathcart gave Chinnor a bit of breathing space with a long-range penalty, but minutes later the hosts’ Shaun Brown intercepted in his own 22 and ran the length of the field to score under the posts.

Swadling’s conversion put Redingensians 22-19 ahead.

However, Cathcart landed another difficult penalty kick to tie the scores at 22-22 with 17 minutes to go and set up a grandstand finish.

Both sides went all out for the victory, but it was Chinnor who were tested the most in the final stages.

However, their defence stood firm to put them in pole position to clinch the runners-up berth.