January 17, 2026
Today saw the playing of the fixture controversially postponed during the cold snap two weeks ago. After passing an inspection at 10am on the match day, a further inspection was scheduled for 14.00. Referee Jamie Parr determined that inspection was not necessary, only to rule 15 minutes before the kick-off that the pitch was not fit for play. Despite both sides being willing to play the game and around 2,500 spectators inside the ground, it was called off in the interest of player safety.
With temperatures dropping it was probably the correct decision, but it was bizarre the referee did not make the pitch inspection at the earlier scheduled time and call the game off then. Still, Chinnor were able to sell plenty of beer, and the food vendors did a roaring trade.
At the time it was due to be a meeting of 4th vs 2nd, but with the results from the games that survived the weather, Chinnor had slipped to 6th, having been overtaken by Coventry and Hartpury University, but a 5-point victory today would take them back to 4th.
Chinnor Update
If Chinnor’s 47-10 thrashing of Cornish Pirates just before Christmas was considered by some to be the best result in their history, then they probably surpassed that just after Christmas when Chinnor became the first side to win at the reformed Worcester Warriors, with a 27-26 victory.
Chinnor had now won 7 of their last 8 matches and in consecutive weeks have beaten 4th placed Pirates, 3rd placed Worcester, and now faced 2nd placed Bedford Blues, in an eagerly anticipated encounter. Next week was the small matter of playing league leaders Ealing Trailfinders !
However, the main news this week was the revelation that in an effort to attract more sponsors and spectators from the wider region, Chinnor intended to rebrand their 1st XV as Thames Valley Falcons.
Previous Meetings
The first ever meeting between the two sides was last season when Chinnor caused a surprise with an 18-5 home victory on a quagmire of a pitch after two weeks of incessant rain, in front of a pre-Christmas crowd of 1,848. That match was covered by Fatbear and the report included a brief history of Bedford and last season’s squad.
https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/12/chinnor-18-5-bedford-blues-att-1848.html
The Blues got their revenge on a firm pitch on a warm May afternoon, making hay in the sunshine on their way to a 61-26 victory, to the delight of most of the 2,814 in attendance.
Bedford Blues This Season
Bedford began the season with two defeats, predictably being beaten at home by Ealing Trailfinders ( 22-50 ), and then going down narrowly at Coventry ( 30-35 ). However, since then they had won 9 matches out of 10, only failing to beat Nottingham, when three tries in the last 15 minutes gave the Blues a 28-28 away draw.
Bedford were on a run of four consecutive wins, squeezing past wooden spoonists Cambridge 29-28 at home, then 27-26 in Penzance against Pirates, before outplaying Worcester 35-19 and Richmond 33-10, both at home.
Last seasons’ league top points scorer, ex-Coventry fly-half Will Massey, was the Blues top points scorer again this season with 96 pts, which made him the second highest points scorer in the Division behind Hartpury’s Harry Balzagette.
After being the league’s top try scorer last season with 20 tries, winger Dean Adamson was in joint second place on this season’s list so far this season with 10 touchdowns, behind Coventry wing Peter Sullivan and level with Ealing Trailfinders’ hooker Matt Cornish. Chinnor hooker Alun Walker had 8 tries to his name.
The Blues’ average home attendance so far this season was 2,956, the second highest in the division behind Worcester Warriors, with the highest being the 5,531 attending the Christmas fixture against Richmond. Last season their average was 2,922.
Bedford Blues Squad
From the side that played at Chinnor last season, flying winger Alfie Garside was now with Worcester Warriers, lock/back-row forward Luke Frost had joined Richmond after moving for work, centre Joel Matevesi had move to France to play alongside brother Sam for Bourg-en-Bresse, and number 8 Cameron King had signed for National League One side Rosslyn Park. Full-back/wing Matt Worley had returned to Hong Kong and now had 15 caps for his country.
Of their four loanees from Northampton Saints, scrum-half Jonny Weimann and flanker Fyn Brown were back on loan at Goldington Road, prop Beltus Nonleh had been released and was now with Sedgley Park, and England Under 20 fly-half George Makepiece-Cubitt had been released and was facing a court case for alleged rape, for which he had pleaded not guilty. Bath loanee hooker John Stewart was now with Leicester Tigers and has been loaned to Cambridge.
Bedford’s newcomers included ex-Newport, Hartpury and Chinnor fly-half Tom Price from Italian side Biella, flanker Nicholas Finch from 5th tier French side Limoges, lock Kayde Sylvester from Cambridge, Welsh lock Ilan Evans from RGC 1404, number 8 Tui Uri returned to the club after two seasons in France with Chambery, and wing Ryan Hutler rejoined from Coventry.
Prop Sonny Tonga’uiha was on loan from Northampton Saints and was the son of legendary ex-Northampton and Tongan prop Soane Tonga’uiha, who had a season with Chinnor in 2021/22.
The coach of Bedford was ex-Cardiff and Wales full-back Mike Rayer.
Matchday Information
The journey from Bedford to Thame is just 46 miles and according to AA Route Planner should take an hour and 20 minutes. Many Blues supporters had made the journey. but significantly fewer than for the New Year fixture.
Adult tickets purchased online were £16 and £20 at the gate, although tickets purchased for the postponed game were still valid. An updated online programme had been prepared in advance of today’s game.
In anticipation of another large crowd today, the same burger, pizza, crepes and coffee vendors were present. A pint of XT4 was £5.17 with the members’ discount.
The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was dry and sunny, and the temperature was 9 degrees. The infamous Chinnor breeze was notably absent. After the thaw of the pitch from two weeks ago and quite a bit of rain since, the pitch was in a good condition all things considered. The floodlights were already on at the kick-off.
The Blues were in a kit of all white but with one sleeve light blue and the other dark blue, whilst Chinnor were in their usual black and white hoops with black shorts and socks.
Bedford made one change to their starting XV named for the postponed clash, with prop Oisin Heffernan replacing Tonga’uiha. This meant there were 5 changes to the side which beat Richmond, with hooker James Fish, lock Alex Woolford, Brown, Northampton Saints loanee centre Billy Pasco and ex-Leicester Tigers and Melbourne Rebels wing George Worth selected. Tom Herman, Ilan Evans and Michael Le Bourgeois were amongst the replacements whilst Finch and Adamson were unavailable.
Back-row forward Fred Tuilagi made 26 appearances for Chinnor in 2021/22 was starting whilst Tom Price, 22 appearances for Chinnor between 2022 and 2023, was on the bench.
Chinnor made one change to the same originally announced for the fixture, with Tom Watson coming in for Ealing loanee Toby Cousins, which meant Chinnor had no loan players in their squad. This represented three changes to the side that was victorious at Worcester, with the other changes being Freddie Owsley replacing Kieran Goss on the wing and Ramaz Rukhadze coming in for Robin Hardwick at tight-head prop. Hardwick was amongst the finishers.
Jamie Parr was again the man with the whistle.
Match Report
Chinnor kicked off towards the ring-road end and were playing with the strong sun in their eyes. Bedford cleared but Chinnor scrum-half Luke Carter kicked back into the Bedford 22. Chinnor gained possession and attacked, but The Blues won a penalty at the breakdown, and took play up to the Chinnor 10 metre line,
Bedford won their line-out ball but a loose ball when they attempted to move wide was caught by Carter, and Chinnor kicked clear. Bedford knocked on, and a counter-attack involving wing Freddie Owsley and full-back Nick Smith took Chinnor into the visitors’ 22. The move ended with a poor pass, but Chinnor were awarded a penalty in front of the posts.
Chinnor opted to go for the corner, but the line-out was surprisingly thrown to the back of the line-out rather than to their banker Jamie Campbell, and Bedford stole the line-out and cleared to mid-way inside their half.
This time the ball was thrown to Campbell but the maul was held up to give a scrum to Bedford, from which they won a penalty to take play to the Chinnor 10 metre line. Ward won the line-out for the Blues and after a couple of knock-ons, Bedford were given the input at the scrum. Bedford spread the ball from the set-piece and were awarded a penalty for a tackle off the ball, which was kicked into the Chinnor 22.
Bedford’s throw was poor and Chinnor prop Ramaz Rukhadze made the catch and made some yards. Owsley then made a break down the touchline but Chinnor lost possession. A period of kick-tennis followed, but after Chinnor number 8 Scott Hall fielded a high ball, hooker Walker made a break through the crowded midfield and off-loaded to Carter, who sped toward the Bedford 22. Intelligent runs from both Carter and Smith saw a pass to give Smith a run for the tryline.
It looked like Bedford full-back Louis James would be able to make the tackle, but a hand-off by Smith saw him burst free and cross near the corner for the opening score. Nathan Chamberlain’s conversion from out wide struck the upright and went over the bar. Chinnor led 7-0 with 16 minutes played.
Bedford hit back almost immediately, and when they moved from left to right, a great pick-up by Worth off his toes saw him make a break, and then unselfishly play the pass for Pasco to score in the corner. The attempted conversion by Maisey from the touchline was short and wide, but it was now 7-5 with 18 minutes on the clock.
Play after the restart was scrappy as both sides dropped the ball, after which Chinnor hooker Walker kicked ahead. Uru was back covering for Bedford but two Chinnor attackers converged on him close to the try line and a knock on gave Chinnor a 5-metre scrum.
Chinnor were quickly awarded a penalty advantage at the scrum, but it didn’t matter as Rukhadze barged over the whitewash for Chinnor’s second try. Chamberlain added the extras to extend Chinnor’s lead to 14-7 after 23 minutes.
Chinnor spilled the restart, and Bedford chipped back into the Chinnor 22 where Carter made the catch. Chinnor cleared with a high kick, which Bedford ran back. Both sides dropped the ball and although Campbell hacked down field for Chinnor, play was brought back for a scrum to Bedford.
The Blues won a penalty at the scrum, and with the advantage chipped ahead forcing Chinnor wing Tom Watson to take the ball in goal and touchdown. Bedford opted for the 5-metre scrum, at which they won another penalty. At the second time of asking, Uru picked up and charged for the line, and after being stopped, Tuilagi had a go but more good defence denied him, and Chinnor won a penalty.
Campbell predictably won the line-out for Chinnor but Bedford forced Chinnor to kick, from which Bedford won a penalty on half-way, and were back inside the Chinnor 22.
Brown won the line-out for Bedford but a good tackle stopped Uru. Bedford went down the blind-side and an attempted pass went to ground in the tackle. However, Tuilagi picked up the loose ball and casually strolled over unopposed in the corner for a second try to the Blues. Maisey again failed to add the extras, so it was now 14-10 with 34 minutes played.
Bedford won a penalty at the restart and kicked to half-way. The throw was sent long and centre Pasco gathered and chipped ahead for Owsley to make the catch and kick downfield. Bedford kicked back where Carter made a half-break, but a Chinnor pass went to ground to give Bedford a chance to counter, but a long pass went straight into touch.
Campbell won the Chinnor line-out and when the ball was spread wide, Owsley made ground into the Bedford 22, but a Chinnor knock-on gave The Blues a scrum inside their 22, from which they won another scrum penalty to clear to half-way. Ward secured line-out ball for Bedford, from which they again went down the blindside, but Hutler put foot in touch, at which the referee blew for half-time.
After an even an entertaining first-half, Chinnor held a narrow 14-10 advantage, but it was all to play for as the sun was setting below the horizon.
After the Bedford restart, Chinnor cleared to half-way where Brown won the Bedford line-out but Hutler was tackled and Chinnor won turnover ball. Flanker Will Cave made a half-break, following which Chinnor went wide. It looked like Bedford had made a try scoring interception, but the referee had been playing an advantage and play went back for a penalty for offside 30 yards out, which was kicked to 10 metres.
Campbell won the line-out but the rolling maul was halted. Chinnor attempted a complex mis-move in midfield, but the pass from Chamberlain went into touch. Bedford won their lineout and kicked, for Owsley to run back into the Bedford half, but a Chinnor kick was fielded by James who made yards towards the half-way line, but after both sides knocked on, Bedford had the scrum 30 metres from their line.
Bedford went to the left from the scrum and after good hands from substitute Le Bourgeois, chipped deep into the Chinnor 22 where Owsley slid to make a brave gather. Chinnor were able to clear, but Bedford took a quick line-out and Ward made a fantastic break back into the Chinnor 22 but a superb tackle prevented the try. However, Chinnor infringed at the ruck, and Bedford kicked the resulting penalty to 5 metres.
Ward won the line-out and after the rolling maul was halted, Bedford moved the ball to the left, and an overlap gave Hutler an easy run for the line. This time Maisey was successful from the tee, and Bedford now led 17-14 after 50 minutes.
It was starting to look ominous for the home side as Bedford were now on top and Le Bourgeois was looking a class act in the centre, making light of some poor passes and keeping moves going. Maisey sent a probing kick towards the Chinnor corner flag, but Chamberlain was able to keep the ball in play and clear to half-way.
Bedford took another quick line-out and launched a dangerous move through their backs, but two knock-ons resulted in a scrum to Bedford. The Blues ran again from the scrum and Chinnor were under tremendous pressure close to their corner flag, and conceded another penalty which was kicked to 5 metres. Ward won the line-out, from which Bedford thought they had scored, but the referee disallowed it for obstruction.
It was a huge let-off for Chinnor, if the try had stood Bedford would have had an 8 to 10 point lead and probably would have gone on to win.
Chinnor cleared to their 10-metre line and Conor Brockschmidt won their line-out. With a penalty advantage Owsley was just unable to keep substitute scrum-half Callum Pascoe’s grubber in field. Chinnor kicked the penalty to 10 metres from the Bedford line.
Campbell of course won the Chinnor throw, and after the rolling maul was halted, with a penalty advantage Chamberlain’s delayed pass enabled centre Sam Hanks to crash over the tryline. Chamberlain knocked over the simple conversion, and the game had turned so that Chinnor now led 21-17 with 59 minutes played.
Chinnor were now playing with confidence, and after Pascoe kicked into the Blues’ 22, James gathered and then kicked to touch from a couple of feet outside the 22, but the touch judge wasn’t watching so Chinnor had a line-out on the Bedford 10 metre line rather than just outside the 22.
After Chinnor won their line-out Bedford were penalised for not rolling away, and play was back to mid-way inside the Bedford half. For the umpteenth time Campbell won the line-out but was illegally taken out in the air, and Chinnor opted to go for the posts with the penalty. Chamberlain impressively put the ball through the uprights from 30 yards on the left to extend Chinnor’s lead. It was now 24-17 with 65 minutes on the clock.
Needing a try to level the game, James caught a high-kick and set-off to run into the Chinnor half and fed Worth, but Hutler’s subsequent kick ahead was touched down in goal by Chinnor and play went back for a scrum to Chinnor on their 22.
After a messy period of play from both sides, Chinnor were awarded a penalty which took them back to half-way.
Despite Campbell dominating the skies, Chinnor were penalised for offside at a ruck after Tuilagi had charged towards the Chinnor half, but Bedford threw long from their line out and Cave got to the ball first for Chinnor.
Bedford’s play was increasingly becoming ill-disciplined and Chinnor kept them in their half following a string of penalties.
After Campbell won yet another Chinnor throw, Bedford transgressed again in mid-field and Chinnor were back inside the Bedford 22. Another Campbell line-out win saw Bedford off-side again, in the middle of pitch. Chinnor opted to take the game beyond Bedford’s reach, and Chamberlain kicked his second penalty, this time from 30 yards in front of the posts. Chinnor’s lead was now 27-17 with 4 minutes remaining.
Bedford now needed to score a try to get a losing point, and started throwing the ball around from everywhere, but Chinnor’s defence remained firm. Chinnor also needed a try for the bonus point but after Brockschmidt won a line-out, centre James Bourton’s run into the Bedford 22 was stopped by a good tackle and several subsequent drives were also quelled and Bedford won a penalty.
Bedford won their line-out on half-way but Uru knocked on in the tackle. From their scrum Chinnor kicked back in the Bedford 22 but James was back to cover and despite a crunching tackle, the Bedford full-back won a penalty. Bedford took a quick tap and Chinnor substitute Chris Moore cynically stopped the move, having not retreated 10 yards and saw yellow.
Bedford won their line-out on the half-way line, but their attacking move ended with another knock on and the referee blew to end the game.
It was another impressive performance by Chinnor, and the four points took them up to 5th in the table. Bedford remained in 2nd.
