Chinnor v Leicester Lions

Saturday 6th April 

£1 

Match Day Sponsors 

Proudly sponsored by 

Rectory Homes 

rectory.co.uk 

National 1 Season 2023/24

CHINNOR Rugby Club 

Founded 1963 

Rectory Pavilion 

Kingsey Road 

Thame 

OX9 3JL 

Tel: 01844 213735 

Email: 

generalmanager@chinnor-rfc.com 

Web: 

www.chinnor-rfc.com 

Chairman: 

Nick Stainton 

President: 

Simon Vickers 

Treasurer: 

Mike Hughes 

Honorary Secretary: 

Pete Conway 

Presidents’s Welcome 

Good afternoon all to Kingsey Rd for what 

promises to be another entertaining afternoon. 

Firstly a very warm welcome to our 

visitors from Leicester Lions. They were very 

hospitable when we went to them earlier in 

the season and we will no doubt reciprocate in 

the Chinnor way. 

Today for us is a key moment in our 

countdown of our last three games and 

our last home game. I am absolute in my 

view that whatever happens we are guaranteed second spot and 

therefore we should, at the final whistle on 27th April, celebrate our 

most successful season ever. 

The top spot is in our hands and I have no doubt as to the level 

of determination of our squad that they have that firmly in their 

sights but one game at a time and with Leicester LIons not safe 

yet they will be trying their level best to win today. Indeed after 

a slowish start they have claimed some notable scalps including 

Rams, Blackheath, Richmond and Plymouth so we will need to be 

on our mettle today. 

I have said before regardless that I, and no doubt many 

others, have enjoyed our Squads company, their attitude and their 

performance on the field. It has been a pleasure to be part of the 

voyage and we have been very lucky to bear witness to it. My 

sincere thanks to them all. 

So the question on everyone’s lips with many letting the words 

go is: how will we cope if we go up? Well off course we have asked 

the question ourselves but will not tempt fate by deliberating on 

an action plan until it becomes reality. There is unanimity on the 

Board that we will support the Squads success by giving it our best 

shot without it affecting the sustainability of the Club. The current 

rules for the Championship remain in place for next season but the 

season after are most likely to change. Whilst we have had sight 

of the proposals for Prem 2 put out by the RFU they are currently 

under negotiation with the Champ so maybe subject to change. The 

good news is that they are now talking constructively and have set 

aside their war of words. The changes required will be phased and 

we think that for the most part they are liveable with but we have no 

visibility yet on the likely level of financial support which of course 

is key. 

What has been gratifying is the very much increased level of 

spectators and lunch guests - some 250 people at lunch today. Of 

course the success on the pitch is a major part of that but we hope 

that this will continue as our supporters appreciate and spread the 

word as to the amazing level of skill and commitment of our players 

and Coaches. We have seen many of our gates in excess of many 

Championship attendances which shows the appetite in this area for 

high level sport. 

Our thanks goes out to all involved including Nick, Craig, Tom 

C, Daz, Kieron, Tom K and everyone who has helped out with the 

Squad. There is no doubt that our Pitch 1 has been in the best 

shape of its life despite the atrocious weather so thanks to John 

Nicholson and all of the Friday Club for looking after the facilities 

so well. 

Tom and Mike and the Clubhouse team have worked their socks 

off to improve the match day experience with no doubt more gears 

to go through next season whether or not we go up a league. 

I would also like to give a massive thanks to all our sponsors old 

and new. I am so pleased that your considerable input has been 

rewarded. I do hope you are enjoying these moments. We are proud 

to be associated with you and thanks for all of your support. 

Today we are celebrating our one Club ethos with our Family Day 

today and it serves as a reminder that first and foremost we are a 

Community Club with Rugby and support for all. 

Apologies for the Tome. So much to say . 

Enjoy your day 

Simon

TEAMS Worthing — Match 14 Day Chinnor Ball Sponsors 73Rectory 

Chinnor Leicester Lions 

With the Raiders Black with defending white hoops an unbeaten Purple home and record white against Chinnor 

and the Black & Whites 1. Keston needing Linesa 5 point 1. maximum Tom Williams to stay (C) in contention 

at the top of the division 2. Alun something Walker had to 2. give Olly Taylor at Worthing. (VC) 

Ben Manning got 3. Robin the the Hardwick visitors underway 3. Aaron in the Dawson very first minute with 

Jonny Bentley adding 4. Oliver the conversion Curry to take 4. Ethan early Godefroy seven point lead. 

5. Conor Brockschmidt 5. Will Ward 

Hooker Koree Britton 

6. George 

went 

Stokes 

over five minutes 

6. George 

later with 

Irvine 

winger Luke 

Hibberd following suit. Bentley converted both tries and Chinnor were 21- 

0 to the good inside 

7. Max 

10 

Clementson 

minutes. 

7. Johnny Murdock 

8. William Ryan (c) 8. Nick Cairns 

After that quick-fire 9. trio Luke the Carter visitors had to 9. wait James another Stubbs 15 minutes to 

cross the line 10. again George for their Worboys all important 10. bonus Dan point. LewisThis time it was 

full back Kieran Goss who dotted down on 25 minutes for the first of his 

11. Kieran Goss 11. Malelili Satala 

try hat trick. Jonny Bentley was wayward from the tee, one of only two 

conversions missed 12. James all day. Bourton 12. Charlie Myall 

13. Morgan Passman 13. Jamel Hamilton (VC) 

Worthing hit back 14. before Grant half Hughes time as Joe 14. Watson-Brooks Joey Patrick and Grant 

Gatford scored 

15. 

in 

William 

quick succession 

Feeney 

with 

15. 

Mathew 

Joe Brock 

McLean converting 

both. At the interval the visitors led 26-14. 

Replacements Replacements 

That was as good 16. Mark as it Darlington got for the Raiders 16 as Will Chinnor Robertsracked up another 

seven tries in the 18. second Ethan period. Clarke 17 Isaac Thompson 

Kieran Goss 

19. 

went 

Matthew 

over 

Woodward 

two minutes after 

18 

the 

Simon 

restart 

Koroiyadi 

converted by Bentley 

followed by Ben Pienaar 20. Tom seven Clifford minutes 19 later. BLuke Replacement Bouchier Basil Strang 

adding the 21. extras. Nathan Chamberlain 20 Fin Ogden 

Director of Rugby Coach 

In the final half hour Goss completed his hat trick and there were further 

Nick Easter Garteh Collins 

tries from Charlie Broughton, Bevon Armitage, a second for Koree Britton 

and one for Basil Strang. Coaches Dale Ager 

Craig Hampson Lloyd Warner 

The 73-14 final score keeps Tom Cruse the pressure Megan on league Seagrave leaders Bishop’s 

Stortford who narrowly 

Daz 

beat 

Oliver 

Redingensians and play off rivals Old 

Elthamians who secured their bonus point in a 47-12 win over Bury St 

Edmonds. 

Referee: Ben Rayner 

Performance reviewer: Iain Mitchell 

Assistant Referees: Ben McNamara, Richard Waller 


5

Worthing D.O.R. 14 Writes Chinnor 73 

Good afternoon everyone and just like 

With the Raiders defending an unbeaten home that we record have our against final home Chinnor game of the 

and the Black & Whites needing a 5 point maximum season. The to team stay will in be contention desperate to 

at the top of the division something had to put give on at a performance Worthing. for our supporters 

who have been swelling in numbers 

Ben Manning got the the visitors underway in the very first minute with 

throughout the season enjoying the fine 

Jonny Bentley adding the conversion to take an early seven point lead. 

rugby played that has been on display. 

Hooker Koree Britton went over five minutes Of later course with everyone winger is Luke aware what is 

Hibberd following suit. Bentley converted both at stake tries as and we Chinnor hit the home were stretch 21- 

0 to the good inside 10 minutes. 

but I can assure you no one within the 

rugby department is looking further 

After that quick-fire trio the visitors had to wait another 15 minutes to 

ahead than today and our opponents 

cross the line again for their all important bonus point. This time it was 

Leicester Lions who themselves need 


to assure safety after promotion last 


season. They possess some quality 

conversions missed all day. 

players and have had some big wins 

Worthing hit back before half time as Joe Watson-Brooks this season putting and Rams Grant and Plymouth 

Gatford scored in quick succession with Mathew away to McLean name a few converting scalps, they play a 

both. good brand At the of rugby interval which the we visitors will have led to be 26-14. at our best defensively to keep them out. 

Our last outing away at Richmond was a potential banana skin well negotiated by the side in 

That tricky conditions, was as good to come as it away got with for a the 41-16 Raiders victory as at the Chinnor RAG where racked Chinnor up another have never 

seven won before tries is testament in the second to the maturity period. of the team given it was 17-16 at half time, the guys 

Kieran 

regrouped 

Goss 

took on 

went 

one 

over 

simple 

two 

message 

minutes 

and delivered 

after the 

a dominant 

restart converted 

second half 

by 

performance. 

Bentley 

followed One player by in particular Ben Pienaar stood seven out and minutes deserves mention later. Replacement was Grant Hughes Basil whose Strang hatrick 

adding secured the bonus extras. point out of position on the wing, and as has been the case as the season 

draws to an end with limited squads, players often find themselves in roles unfamiliar to 

In them, the another final half couple hour of Goss players completed to fill in at lock his recently hat trick are and the there two prop were forwards further Josh 

tries McNulty from and Charlie Keston Lines. Broughton, These requirements Bevon Armitage, are all part a second of the twists for Koree and turns Britton that 

and occur one during for the Basil week Strang. and matches that keep us on our toes and make it an enjoyable and 

challenging league to be a part of. 

The 73-14 final score keeps the pressure on league leaders Bishop’s 

Stortford At this time who I would narrowly also like beat to mention Redingensians our Falcons(2nd and XV) play and off how rivals well they Oldhave done 

Elthamians this season with who some secured tight games their and bonus notable point wins against a 47-12 Ampthill win and over Stortford. Bury It St is vital 

Edmonds. 

to have strong second string to provide continuity, competition and rugby throughout the 

club, this year it has been a real success and a tribute to the dedication form all players to 

our weekly training nights and their hunger to improve and represent the club. We sign off 

at home today with both teams playing so I hope many of you will be able to get along to 

support both teams and here your voices loud and proud. 

Thanks again for all your support this season. 

Nick Easter 


6


15

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS 

Welcome to Chinnor RFC Thame - we hope you have a great time! 

We are now a cash-free venue, so please use your payment and 

membership cards. We encourage you to buy your match and lunch 

tickets in advance online via our Ticketpass page. 

Drinks - Take your pick from our Players’ Bar, Members’ Bar, Marquee, 

Bar22 and Scoreboard Bar. We have a range of drinks available, with 

Guinness, Carlsberg, Estrella, Shipyard and Somersby on tap. New for this 

season is our Scoreboard Bar. 

Food - We are working on upgrading our Servery, but pitchside food is still 

available. 

Facilities - The toilets are located outside the Clubhouse and located close 

to the entrance. Our disabled toilet can be accessed via the lift inside the 

Clubhouse. 


16

CHINNOR RFC THAME — Senior Squad 

1 Josh McNulty 

Tight Head Prop 

12 George Grose 

Club Captain - Centre 

2 Luke Carter 

Scrum Half 

sponsored by 

Caolyn Ryan 

13 Keston Lines 

Loose Head Prop 

4 Greg Goodfellow 

Scrum Half 

15 Kieran Goss 

Wing 

5 Willie Ryan 

1st XV Captain 

Back Row 

16 Morgan Passman 

Centre/Wing 

8 Alun Walker 

Hooker 

17 Finn Theobald-Thomas 

Hooker 

10 Nick Smith 

Full Back/Wing 

18 Andy Berry 

Back Row 

11 Josh Hodson 

Wing 

19 James Bourton 

Centre 

17


20 Max Heathman 

Back Row 

28 Ben Wilkinson 

Loose/Tight Head Prop 

21 Jack Walsh 

Scrum Half 

29 George Stokes 

Back Row 

Sponsored by 

The Morning Portal 

22 George Merrick 

Lock 

31 Will Cave 

Hooker 

23 Joe Browning 

Wing 

32 Tom Price 

Fly Half 

24 William Feeney 

Full Back 

33 Jake Varney 

Scrum Half 

25 Jason Worrall 

Wing 

34 Max Clemenston 

Back Row 

27 Mark Darlington 

Hooker 

35 Will Cadden 

Back Row 

18


36 Joe Booth 

Scrum Half 

43 Will Blakemore 

Centre 

37 Cameron Rafferty 

Back Row 

45 Matt Woodward 

Loose Head Prop 

Sponsored by 

Blackdog Promo 

38 Shek Sheriff 

Lock 

47 Archie Friend 

Scrum Half 

39 Rob Hardwick 

Tight Head Prop 

48 Alfie North 

Back Row 

40 Izzy Wharton 

Back Row 

50 Mualo Sadiki 

Back Row 

42 Conor Brockschmidt 

Back Row/Lock 

23

CHINNOR RFC THAME — The Back Room 

Nick Easter 

Director Of Rugby 

Tom Cruse 

Scrum Coach 

Daz Oliver 

Head Of S&C 

Greg Goodfellow 

Falcons Head Coach 

Criag Hampson 

Head Coach 

Tom Knibbs 

Team Manager 

Kieran Yon 

Head Of Medical 


24

CHINNOR RFC THAME 

National League 1 Table - 2023/24 

Pos Team Pld W D L F A PD TBP LBP Pts 

1 Chinnor 23 19 0 4 903 351 552 18 3 97 

2 Rams 23 18 0 5 715 505 210 18 2 92 

3 Rosslyn Park 23 14 1 8 680 565 115 14 3 75 

4 Birmingham Moseley 23 13 0 10 593 567 26 11 6 69 

5 Plymouth Albion 23 13 0 10 541 474 67 10 4 66 

6 Darlington Mowden Park 23 11 0 12 568 584 -16 11 6 61 

7 Richmond 23 10 0 13 609 627 -18 13 7 60 

8 Blackheath 23 11 0 12 555 522 33 8 4 56 

9 Sedgley Park 23 10 1 12 577 680 -103 10 4 56 

10 Sale FC 23 11 0 12 507 542 -35 7 3 54 

11 Bishop’s Stortford 23 8 0 15 530 688 -158 9 5 46 

12 Leicester Lions 23 9 0 14 447 631 -184 6 3 45 

13 Cinderford 23 8 0 15 446 683 -237 3 4 39 

14 Taunton Titans 23 5 0 18 588 840 -252 14 4 38 

This weeks fixtures 

15:00 Blackheath 

Sedgley Park 

15:00 Chinnor 

Leicester Lions 

15:00 Cinderford 

Rosslyn Park 

15:00 Darlington Mowden Park 

Bishop’s Stortford 

15:00 Plymouth Albion 

Rams 

15:00 Richmond 

Birmingham Moseley 

15:00 Sale FC 

Taunton Titans 

Next Fixtures 

13th April 

14:00 Leicester Lions 

Darlington Mowden Park 

15:00 Birmingham Moseley 

Chinnor 

15:00 Bishop’s Stortford 

Sale FC 

15:00 Rams 

Richmond 

15:00 Rosslyn Park 

Blackheath 

15:00 Taunton Titans 

Cinderford 

15:00 Sedgley Park 

Plymouth Albion 

Last weeks results 

3-20 Birmingham Moseley 

Plymouth Albion 

39-12 Bishop’s Stortford 

Leicester Lions 

33-25 Rams 

Blackheath 

16-41 Richmond 


41-19 Rosslyn Park 

Sale FC 

30-25 Sedgley Park 

Cinderford 

22-20 Taunton Titans 

Darlington Mowden Park 


25

Proud supporters of the CRFC 2019 Mini Festival 

Providers 

Our cabins, modular 

of 

buildings, 

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toilets 

and showers have been supplied to 

major Try events Line throughout Terrace 2019! 

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26

Richmond 16 Chinnor 41 

Worthing 14 Chinnor 73 

MATCH REPORT 

With the Raiders defending an unbeaten Chinnor home increased record the against pace and Chinnor encamped 

and the Black & Whites needing a 5 point themselves maximum in Richmond’s to stay in red contention zone. The 

Grant 

at the 

Hughes 

top of the 

hat trick 

division 

powers 

something 


had hosts to give managed at Worthing. to repel several dangerous 

to win at Richmond 

looking attacks with desperate defence and 


A turbo charged performance from Grant good turnovers. 

Jonny Bentley adding the conversion to take an early seven point lead. 

Hughes full of power and pace underpinned 

This defensive effort was finally broken by 

Chinnor’s Hooker Koree impressive Britton performance went over in South five minutes a spectacular later with solo effort winger from Luke Hughes as 

West Hibberd London. following Chinnor suit. eventually Bentley overcame converted he slalomed both tries his and way Chinnor through the were tacklers 21- 

a 0 determined to the good and inside dogged 10 Richmond minutes. and 

to notch a superb hat trick. 16-24 on 57 

some horrendous conditions in the first 

half After to that come quick-fire away with a trio 5 point the win. visitors had minutes. to wait another 15 minutes to 


The first half was a real ding ding affair as 

This try settled Chinnor and they began 


the lead swapped hands several times, to assert real dominance, especially when 


although Chinnor outscored their hosts 3 Conor Brocksmidt put in a huge tackle on 

conversions missed all day. 

tries to 1 their lead was a very slim 16-17. his opposite number. From a lovely Feeney 

Chinnor Worthing started hit back well and before took an half early time lead as Joe touch Watson-Brooks finder Richmond and dragged Grantdown a 

through Gatford a scored smart catch in quick and drive succession and score with fast Mathew moving Chinnor McLean maul converting and a penalty try 

from both. Walker. At the interval Richmond the immediately visitors led hit 26-14. was awarded. 16-31. Richmond were now 

back with 2 quick scores, a penalty and a down to 13. 

slick That try was from as Post. good 10-5. as it got for the Raiders as Chinnor racked up another 

seven tries in the second period. Brocksmidt then wrestled a ball away from 

Hughes then entered the fray with his Richmond and put in a perfectly weighted 

first Kieran major Goss contribution went over when two released minutes by after kick the ahead restart which converted saw George by Bentley Worboys 

Feeney followed a weaving by Ben run Pienaar opened seven his account. minutes outstrip later. the Replacement cover to dot down. Basil 16-31. Strang 

10-12 adding after the 23 extras. minutes. 

Chinnor rounded off the scoring after a 

Chinnor’s In the final indiscipline half hour Goss and completed unforced his flowing hat move trick and released there Goss were in space further down 

errors tries from costed Charlie them 6 Broughton, more points Bevon when Armitage, the left wing a second and Gossy for streaked Koree Britton home to 

Richmond and one opted for Basil for the Strang. posts on a couple 

score in the corner. 16-41. 

of occasions. 

The 73-14 final score keeps the pressure It was on a very league powerful leaders and more Bishop’s disciplined 

But it was another try from Hughes that 

Stortford who narrowly beat Redingensians and play off rivals Old 

gave Chinnor the lead at half time, 16-17. 

second half performance as Chinnor really 

Elthamians who secured their bonus point showed in a their 47-12 class win and over all Bury round St game. 

Having Edmonds. survived against the elements Some excellent performance with 2 stand 

including hail, horizontal rain and an outs from Hughes and Brocksmidt. 

increasingly strong wind Chinnor could feel 

they were in a strong position. 

However emerging for the second half they 

were greeted by a beautiful, still, sunny 

spring afternoon! 


35 

A break for Easter with 2 weeks until 

Chinnor play their final home game of the 

season against Leicester Lions on 6th April. 

Match report - John Vaughan

1st XV Fixtures & Results 2023/24 

Worthing 14 Chinnor 73 

KO 3pm unless otherwise stated 

Date Opponents KO Result 

With the Raiders defending an unbeaten home record against Chinnor 

and 02-Sep-23 the Black Darlington & Whites Mowden needing Pk a 5 point maximum Home to stay in contention w 22 - 10 

at 08-Sep-23 the top of Rams the division something had to give Away at Worthing. 7.45pm L 29 -19 

16-Sep-23 Sale Home W 36 - 0 


Jonny 23-Sep-23 Bentley Sedgley adding Park the conversion to take an Away early seven point L lead. 27 - 21 

30-Sep-23 Cinderford Home W 48 - 17 

Hooker Koree Britton went over five minutes later with winger Luke 

Hibberd 07-Oct-23 following Rosslyn suit. Park Bentley converted both Away tries and Chinnor W were 21 - 21- 48 

014-Oct-23 to the good Blackheath inside 10 minutes. 

Home W 53 - 8 

21-Oct-23 Free 

After 

28-Oct-23 

that quick-fire 

Free 

trio the visitors had to wait another 15 minutes to 


full 04-Nov-23 back Kieran Taunton Goss who dotted down on 25 Away minutes for the first W of 21 his - 53 

try 11-Nov-23 hat trick. Plymouth Jonny Bentley Albion was wayward from Home the tee, one of only L 17 two - 22 

conversions 18-Nov-23 Bishop’s missed Stortford all day. 

Away W 7 - 26 

Worthing 25-Nov-23 hit Richmond back before half time as Joe Watson-Brooks Home and Grant W 55 - 26 

Gatford 02-Dec-23 scored Leicester in quick Lions succession with Mathew Away McLean converting W 15 - 40 

both. At the interval the visitors led 26-14. 

09-Dec-23 Birmingham Moseley Home W 27 - 24 

That 15-Dec-23 was as Rams good as it got for the Raiders as Home Chinnor 7.45pm racked up W another 21 - 7 

seven 

06-Jan-24 

tries in 

Free 

the second period. 

Kieran 13-Jan-24 Goss Sale went over two minutes after the restart Away converted by W Bentley 10 - 47 

followed 27-Jan-24 by Cinderford Ben Pienaar seven minutes later. Away Replacement Basil W Strang 0 - 57 

adding the extras. 

03-Feb-24 Sedgley Park Home W 38 - 34 

In 09-Feb-24 the final half Rosslyn hour Park Goss completed his hat trick Home and there 7.45pm were W further 31 - 10 

tries 17-Feb-24 from Charlie Blackheath Broughton, Bevon Armitage, Away a second for Koree L 22 Britton - 17 

and 

24-Feb-24 

one for 

Taunton 

Basil Strang. 

Home W 80 - 10 

The 02-Mar-24 73-14 final Free score keeps the pressure on league leaders Bishop’s 

Stortford 

09-Mar-24 

who 

Plymouth 

narrowly 

Albion 

beat Redingensians and 

Away 

play off rivals Old 

W 5 - 26 

Elthamians who secured their bonus point in a 47-12 win over Bury St 

Edmonds. 

16-Mar-24 Bishop’s Stortford Home W 80 - 10 

23-Mar-24 Richmond Away W 16 - 41 

30-Mar-24 Free 

06-Apr-24 Leicester Lions Home 

13-Apr-24 Birmingham Moseley Away 

20-Apr-24 Free 

27-Apr-24 Darlington Mowden Pk Away 


36

Coming up 

at Home 

Club Events Calendar 

Kites 

7th Apr Bridgnorth Women 

Colts 

14th April Old Albanians 

19th April Aylesbury (Friday) 

12th Apr 

Sportmans with Nigel Owens 

10th May 

End of Season Party 

26th Jul 

Abba Revival 

www.chinnor-rfc.com

Chinnor v Leicester Lions

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