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Strong team, good bench. We can do this. We'll be there!

The team announced on X has Relton at full-back instead of Trewin !

[x.com]

This will be a tough game as chinnor have a good home record and are difficult to beat at home.
If we approach the game with the right attitude and get a forward platform we look dangerous with ball in hand as we showed last week.
A win on the road would be great to keep us in touching distance of a top 4 finish.

Chinnor 31 Pirates 33
After a dominant first half performance the pirates were under pressure from the home side for long periods of the 2nd half but just did enough to hang on for the win and a welcome 5 points.
It sounded like our attacking play is a real threat and we are able to open teams up and score tries.
Once again our discipline in defence was an issue and the number of penalties conceded almost cost us the game.

To be fair, when you are put under so much prolonged pressure it's almost inevitable penalties will be conceded. We were brilliant for about 25 minutes, then Chinnor began to dominate possession and territory. There was a pivotal moment just before half time. Chinnor were awarded a penalty which was easily kickable, but opted to go for the corner. They missed touch, the ball going the wrong side of the flag. Pirates kicked long and Chinnor attacked, but were stopped by some great defence, spilled the ball, we kicked on and Matt McNab won the footrace.
Chinnor dominated the second half, we defended bravely, but eventually they scored a couple of tries - one conversion was missed, which proved to be the difference in the end.
5 points away from home is great, but much to work on.
Lots of Pirates there, making a lot of noise.
Chinnor is a great club, very nice facilities and very friendly and helpful people. We thoroughly enjoyed our day in the warm Oxfordshire sunshine.
To complete the day we hear The Amateurs won their cup game - well done to them.

For anyone interested, attached is Fatbear's review of today's game
[fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com]

Great well balanced report. Thanks

A close encounter and 5 points fought. We still have a consistent issue regarding penalties.