Chinnor Take Opening Weekend Win

Mowden made a positive start and enjoyed the better of the opening stages. The deadlock was broken on 8 minutes when centre pairing Harry Yates and Ben Frankland linked up well in midfield, with the latter diving over to finish well. Josh Ree converted, before adding a penalty minutes later to stretch DMP’s lead to 10. James Bourton then squeezed over for the hosts to halve the deficit on 15 minutes. The remainder of the first 40 was largely played in the Mowden 22, with the visitors defending brilliantly to prevent a second Chinnor try. Issy Wharton was shown yellow for a high shot on Yaree Fantini, but there was no further score in the first half. 5-10.

The scores were soon level when Alun Walker profited from a driving maul, before a yellow card for each side reduced numbers to 14 a piece. The next score would prove decisive, as some slick handling saw Will Feeney dive over out wide. Tom Price’s conversion gave the home side a 7 point lead. Mowden had chances to hit back, but struggled to get a foothold in the game as injuries forced a series of changes in the back line. With the result still in the balance heading into the final stages, it was Chinnor who scored next when Keiran Goss finished in the corner despite protests of a forward pass in the build up. Trailing by 12 there was still a chance of a losing bonus point, but Chinnor held firm to see out the win.

DMP Director of Rugby Garry Law said: "Frustrating to come away without picking up any league points from this one. Very much a stop start game which no team really managed to dominate for long spells. We had our chances but unfortunately our accuracy let us down to often, something which you don't get away with when playing away from home."

"There will be a big focus on our individual skills and retention of the ball this week in prep for Sale this weekend. We weren't far away against Chinnor but know we must improve to stand a chance of getting a win away from home."

Mowden now face their second away game in as many weeks with a trip to Heywood Road, while Chinnor visit Rams on Friday night.