Chinnor 42-12 Cambridge ( att : 1,673 ) - 2025/26 English Champ

April 3, 2026

After these diaries covered Chinnor’s 48-36 victory over Caldy two weeks ago, they followed that up with a hard fought 26-19 win at Nottingham in poor conditions, although on the balance of play Chinnor probably should have won by a greater margin. However, the win took Chinnor up to 5^th in the Champ table, and today they entertained winless Cambridge, looking for a 5-point victory to further consolidate their position in the play-offs.

In the meantime, Chinnor had announced plans to achieve planning permission for the installation of  a 5,000 capacity stand in readiness for the 2027/28 season.

 

Previous Meetings

With the exclusion of both Cambridge and Chinnor from last season’s Premiership Cup, the two sides agreed to play their own Cup competition, the Not The Prem Cup, with Chinnor emerging victorious in both matches, with a 33-24 win at home and a 33-31 success in the return in March to take the Trophy.

Chinnor also did the double over the Blood and Sand in their first season in the Rugby Championship, winning 57-24 on the opening day of the season at Cambridge, and 82-34 at home in the final game of the season.

However, Fatbear witnessed a 19-17 victory for Cambridge in March 2023, on their way to promotion to the Championship.

Prior to that, matches between these two sides at Kingsey Road had historically been extremely close. In the 5 previous encounters, Chinnor had won three and lost twice, with four of the games being decided by 4 points or fewer, with Chinnor’s 34-22 win in November 2019 being the outlier. These diaries also covered a 32-30 victory for Cambridge in November 2021, although a late converted try made the score look closer than it should have been.

Cambridge This Season

Cambridge finished bottom of the Championship last season with just three victories, and the club had a massive clear out of their squad, with over 20 players leaving, including Sam Hanks who was now with Chinnor.

However, the wholesale changes had led to even worse results, as Cambridge came to Kingsey Road today already relegated, with an 0-1-20 record. The only time they had avoided defeat was a 12-12 home draw with Doncaster Knights, and they had only achieved 4 losing bonus points, going down 32-36 and 17-21 to Nottingham, 28-29 at Bedford Blues, and 24-26 at home to Caldy. Six four try bonus points had also been registered.

Cambridge’s average home attendance so far this season was 1,206, with 1,438 seeing the Christmas fixture with Coventry. Last season their average was 1,364.

Cambridge Squad

Ex-Nottingham fly-half Jamie Annand was the leading points scorer with 39 points whilst ex-Loughborough University and former England Under 20 back-row forward Dan Eckersley had scored 5 tries.

Amongst their many new recruits were New Zealand centre Levi Reweti, hooker Dylan Irvine from Cornish Pirates, ex-Bristol and Ampthill Welsh back-row forward Arthur Thomas, ex-Ealing Trailfinders South African full-back Ben Currie, and Samoan prop Paul Masoe.

Centre Jasper Sorrell had played in the Championship for Ealing and Ampthill, hooker Jack Doorey-Palmer was ex-Harlequins and was one of their many loanees to London Scottish last season.

Irish lock Jacob McCay joined having played in Spain last year and prop Billy Walker joined from Nottingham, having previously played for Saracens, Ampthill, Bedford, Old Albanians and Bishop’s Stortford. Centre Epi Rokodrava joined from Ealing Trailfinders, having appeared 11 times for Chinnor on loan last season but was missing today.

Matchday Information

According to AA route planner, the journey from Cambridge to Thame is 79 miles and should normally take around an hour and fifty minutes.

Adult tickets purchased online were £16 and £20 at the gate and the £5 charge to sit in the stand appeared to have been waived for today. An online programme had been prepared in advance of today’s game.

There were dark clouds overhead at the unusual 17.00 kick-off time but the forecasted light rain fortunately stayed away during the game. There was a strong breeze, with gusts of up to 20 mph expected and the temperature was a chilly 11 degrees.

Cambridge announced five changes to their starting XV that lost to Bedford. Jake Ellwood, who made 9 appearances for Chinnor on loan from Ealing Trailfinders in 2018/19 was back at prop, Gareth Baker and Northampton loanee Jack Lawrence were the locks, South African Rhys Fulford came into the back row, and Ethan Thorne was on the wing, replacing Ksenia Izu who was on England Under 19 duty. Four of their squad today played at Chinnor last season, captain Ben Adams, winger Elias Cavan, Ellwood and Baker.

Chinnor made nine changes to their side that won at Nottingham, with only back-row forwards Scott Hall and Will Cave, lock Jamie Campbell, fly-half Nathan Chamberlain, centre Tom Watson and wing Grant Hughes retaining their places.

Cambridge were in a change kit of blue shirts with black shirts and socks, whilst Chinnor were in their usual black and white hoops with black shorts and socks.

Match Report

Chinnor kicked off into the strong wind and in what was to become the pattern for the first-half, Cambridge would launch a high kick only for Chinnor to return in a similar manner. Most of the time Chinnor looked secure under the aerial bombardment whereas Cambridge often struggled to deal with the kicks in their direction.

At the kick-off Cambridge scrum-half Ollie Allen’s return kick was well caught by Chinnor full-back Joe Brock who made yards down the touchline, but after a ruck was formed when Brock was tackled, Chinnor scrum-half Callum Pascoe’s box kick was caught by Allen, and the return kick was claimed by Scott Hall. However, Chinnor were judged to be offside when Pascoe kicked again, and Annand kicked the visitors to within 15 metres of the Chinnor line.

The Cambridge throw went too long, and Chinnor hooker Alun Walker caught the ball and fed Pascoe, who made a half-break but was illegally halted. Chamberlain’s kick was taken in the wind and barely crossed the half-way line. Jamie Campbell won the line-out for Chinnor but when they went down the blind-side, Freddie Owsley was tackled into touch after gaining 15 metres.

Cambridge threw low to the front of the line-out for Rhys Fulford to catch, but a period of kick tennis followed, until Owsley again made yards down the touchline and passed to Pascoe, who entered the Cambridge 22, but the visitors won turnover ball only to kick poorly back to Owsley who made another strong run. Centre James Bourton made a further break only to be tackled just short of the tryline, but Will Cave was in support, caught the offload, and dived over under the post. Chamberlain added the extras to take the score to 7-0 with 7 minutes played.

The restart was caught in the wind and sailed dead to give Chinnor a scrum on the half-way line. Chinnor moved the ball wide from the scrum but Brock knocked on and Cambridge kicked high again, and this time gathered the loose bouncing ball, but kicked again, only for Chinnor to gather and clear to mid-way inside their half.  

For the second time in the match, Cambridge threw too long and Walker caught for Chinnor, who moved the ball wide to the left for Owsley to again cross the gain line and feed Brock, who was tackled. Cambridge won possession and kicked again, only for the ball to go into the in-goal zone where Chinnor winger Grant Hughes touched down for a goal-line drop-out.

Cambridge won a penalty at a ruck, which was kicked to 8 metres from the Chinnor try-line. Although Campbell stole the Cambridge throw, Chinnor knocked on to give Cambridge a scrum 5 metres from the try-line. Allan’s pass from the scrum was taken by centre Sorrell in what appeared to be a planned move, who forced his way over the line. Annand was successful from the tee to level the scores at 7-7 after 17 minutes.

Cambridge kicked back the restart to Owsley, who set off on a mazy run across the pitch without making much progress, and the Chinnor pack transgressed at a ruck close to half-way. However, the kicking from Cambridge again lacked accuracy and went dead, to give Chinnor a scrum near the half-way line.

Chinnor attempted to move along the backs but Brock’s attempted off-load in the tackle went into touch for line-out for Cambridge on their 10-metre line. The ball was knocked forward by Cambridge at their throw and Pascoe took the catch. Chinnor spread the ball with Owsley getting into the visitors’ 22 before being tackled into touch.

Cambridge won their line-out and after a bit of a fumble, the clearing kick touched a Chinnor hand attempting the charge-down and went off for a Cambridge line close to half-way. Allan kicked again from the line-out and Owsley called for the mark, and kicked to touch on the Chinnor 10 metre line.

The Cambridge throw went to the front of the line-out but the referee saw something he didn’t like and awarded a free-kick to Chinnor. The kick was sent into the heavens and swirled in the wind and Cambridge failed to deal with it. Cave gathered and charged through a gap but a tap tackle stopped the try. However, Cave was able to get to his feet and dived over the line close to the posts for his second try, and Chamberlain added the straight forward conversion. The score was now 14-7 after 26 minutes.

Cambridge had a scrum after a Chinnor hand pushed a line-out throw forward, from which Sorrell did excellently to catch a poor pass from Allen, and Chinnor were drawn into conceding another penalty, which Annand kicked to 5 metres. Baker claimed the line-out but the rolling maul was stopped short of the tryline. However, hooker Doorey-Palmer was able to burrow his way over the whitewash. Annand had to replace the ball back on to the tee after it was blown away in the wind, but he could only kick well wide. It was now 14-12 with 32 minutes played.  

Chinnor’s restart drifted with the wind straight out on the full, and Cambridge kicked from their scrum only for Chamberlain to make an outstanding catch as the ball appeared to be sailing away from him. Chinnor kicked the ball back, and yet again Allen failed to judge the wind correctly with another kick going dead to give Chinnor a scrum on the Cambridge 10 metre line.

The home side were awarded a penalty at the scrum which was kicked to 15 metres. Campbell won the lineout and the rolling maul rumbled towards the line only to be illegally stopped, and Chinnor kicked the penalty to 5 metres. The line-out was messy but Chinnor gathered and made several drives for the line which were repelled until another penalty was yielded.

Chinnor opted to take a tap penalty but were held up over the line to give a goal-line drop out to Cambridge. Hall took the catch and charged back into the Cambridge half but the maul was held up to give Cambridge a scrum, at which they won a penalty to take play to the Chinnor 10 metre line.

Campbell tapped the Cambridge throw back to Walker, who kicked the ball out of play to end the half. Chinnor held a 2 point lead at the interval, and with the elements in the favour would have expected to go on to win the match.

To illustrate the difference in the quality of the two sides’ kicking, shortly after the start of the second period, Pascoe’s kick with the wind stopped just short of the corner flag, forcing Currie to pick up and play, and substitute Joe Green’s attempted return pass went directly in to touch.

Chinnor had a line-out 8 metres from the line and after Hall made the catch, and the Cambridge defence was powerless to stop the rolling maul from marching over the line. Walker emerged with the ball and Chamberlain kicked the conversion. 21-12 after 42 minutes.

Quickly after the restart Chinnor won a penalty at a ruck on their 10-metre line, and an excellent kick took them back to 5 metres from the line. Dan Cooke won the line-out and for the second time in two minutes the Chinnor rolling maul rumbled over the line, and Walker had his second try. Chamberlain’s conversion struck the post and went over the bar. It was now 28-12 after 44 minutes.

Chinnor were now dominating and Walker was bundled into touch just inside the Cambridge 22. Cambridge kicked after winning their line-out and Chinnor were caught off-side after the ball was tapped back. Cambridge took play to the Chinnor 10 metre line but when they tried to move the ball along their backs, Chinnor forced a penalty at a ruck, which Chamberlain superbly kicked to 5 metres.

Willie Ryan won the line-out for Chinnor, but the Cambridge forwards won a turnover, and their backs attempted to move the ball from behind their own line but were forced back. The attempted clearing kick was partially charged down but Eckersley was able to pick up and together with Green, took play up to their 10-metre line and Cambridge were awarded a scrum.

The Cambridge scrum appeared to be in difficulty but replacement scrum-half Ruaridh Dawson was able to pick up and run, but then undid the good work with a dreadfully wild kick straight into touch.

Chinnor had a line-out on the Cambridge 10 metre line and with all the players in the line-out standing still, Walker threw the ball to Campbell ,who passed back to his scrum-half. To the bemusement of the Chinnor players and most of the crowd, the referee awarded a free-kick to Cambridge.

Cambridge took a tap but were halted on half-way, and Chinnor had the put-in at the scrum. However, Cambridge won another scrum penalty and were back inside the Chinnor half. Baker won their line-out ball and the Blood and Sand launched several attacks but the Chinnor defence was good, until a loose Cambridge pass bounced into touch.

Cooke won the line-out for Chinnor just outside their 22 and Pascoe kicked, but Currie made a good catch. Cambridge moved the ball across the field but without any penetration, and Chinnor won turnover ball and kicked again, where this time Tonga international Otumaka Mausia ( 12 caps ) took a good catch. However, Chinnor won a penalty at the ruck, and kicked to about 8 metres.

Hall won the line-out but the ball slipped out of his hands, so it was a scrum to Cambridge for a knock-on. For the second time in the match the Cambridge scrum looked under pressure but Dawson managed to make a clearing kick, but only as far as Owsley, who made a jinking run deep into the Cambridge 22.  The ball went loose and Cambridge were deemed to have knocked on to give Chinnor a scrum 10 yards out.

The scrum collapsed and Chinnor were awarded a penalty, for which they decided to scrum again rather than go for the corner. Bourton broke through a couple of tackles but was brought down short of the line. With the Cambridge defence scrambling to prepare for the anticipated forward drives, Pascoe looked up and sent a long pass to Owsley in oceans of space near the touchline, and the Chinnor winger sauntered over the line. Chamberlain added a great conversion from out wide with the wide, taking the score to 35-12 with 67 minutes on the clock.  

Cambridge now enjoyed their best spell of the game. Mausia made a good run after a Cambridge scrum but despite a fumble in midfield, Cambridge won the put in at the scrum just outside the Chinnor 22. Cambridge again tried to run, but Mausia was flattened by a robust tackle. Cambridge attempted multiple attacks but the Chinnor defence was good.

From another Cambridge scrum near the Chinnor 22, the visitors went down the blindside but Green was tackled into touch. Baker stole the Chinnor throw, and more waves of attacks were launched, and Chinnor eventually conceded a penalty. Cambridge decided to take a tap 5 metres out but the drive was held up over the line.

Cambridge ran the goal-line drop-out back into the Chinnor half but were pinged at a ruck, and Chinnor kicked into the Cambridge 22. After securing line-out ball Owsley chipped over the flat Cambridge defence but Dawson was first to the ball and touched down in goal to concede a 5-metre scrum for Chinnor.

Chinnor drove for the line and Ryan was stopped short, but substitute prop Ramaz Rukhadze picked up barged over for Chinnor’s 6^th try. Chamberlain maintained his 100% record from the tee so Chinnor extended their lead to 42-12 with 79 minutes played.

The final moments of the game were scrappy as Chinnor threw a loose pass in to touch, the Cambridge line-out wasn’t straight, then Chinnor won a scrum penalty. When Chinnor tried to go wide from the scrum, Currie attempted to make an interception but was unable to hold onto to the ball, and the referee blew for the knock-on and to end the game.

With the 5 point victory, Chinnor consolidated their place as 5^th in the table.

 

 

 

Chippenham 34-22 Trowbridge ( att : 350 est ) – 2025/26 South West Regional 2 Severn

March 28, 2026

Today saw Fatbear make his first visit of the season to Chippenham Rugby Club, which was also their last home game of the regular season. Today’s visitors were Trowbridge who ironically, were the opponents for the last game seen by Fatbear at Allington Fields, in March last year.

2025/26 Season

Trowbridge came into this game having clinched the division title last Saturday. A 68-24 home win over Witney coupled with Chippenham’s 17-19 defeat at Thornbury left Trowbridge 11 points clear of second placed Chippenham with only two rounds of fixtures remaining to be played.

Trowbridge had impressively won all but one of their 20 games played so far this season, with the only set-back being a 28-31 defeat at Longlevens in February.

Chippenham had a 16-1-3 record to be four points ahead of third placed Cleve, and were 100% at home. In addition to last week’s loss at Thornbury, their other defeats had been 26-27 at Trowbridge and 40-56 at Cleve. A 22-22 draw had been played at Old Centralians.

The RFU have introduced promotion and relegation play-off at all levels for this season although no-one seems to be too sure as to exactly how they will work. Fatbear’s understanding is that for this league it will be 2^nd vs 5^th and 3^rd vs 4^th in a one-off tie, with the two winners then playing for the right to play at either 9^th or 10^th place in the higher level Regional 1 South-West in a single match.

Based on the positions prior today, the play-off games would be Chippenham vs Newbury and Cleve vs Keynsham, although Old Cents, Thornbury and Longlevens could still sneak into 5^th place. The surviving side would then play at either Sidmouth or Chew Valley. It is thought this would based on the closest match geographically, so in this scenario that would be Chew Valley, who are based just outside of Bristol. Of course, the league placings could change between now and the end of the season, and the RFU could make some other decisions !

Previous Meetings

Games between these two local rivals are invariably close. As mentioned above the first meeting this season saw Trowbridge victorious by one point.

In the corresponding fixture last season, Chippenham were leading 27-16 with time 79 minutes on the clock, but then conceded three tries in the closing moments to give Trowbridge a get out of jail 35-27 win. Chippenham had won the reverse fixture 22-17.

This was the third time Fatbear had seen these two sides play, in September 2021 Trowbridge were again the victors with a 33-22 win.

Chippenham Squad Update

New recruits to the Chippenham squad for this season include full-back John Rumsey from Chobham, prop Leo Palmer from Old Sulians, lock Kieran Edgar from Trafford MV, and scrum-half Thomas Fogarty had returned to the club from Old Redcliffians. Number 8 Iestyn Asher was a current Dorset and Wiltshire Under 20 player.

Trowbridge Squad Update

Of the newcomers to the Trowbridge squad this season were ex-Clifton full-back Alex Kilbane, ex-Old Redcliffians number 8 Kacey Pike, and lock Olly Bilton was previously with Dings Crusaders.

Matchday Information

According to AA route planner, the journey from Trowbridge to Chippenham is 13 miles and should take 24 minutes.

The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was sunny with blue skies but a stiff breeze, and with temperatures at 9 degrees.

Admission was free as were the programmes. The clubhouse was packed on our arrival with 100+ diners enjoying pre-match hospitality, and quite a few may not have seen the match !

One new innovation since Fatbear’s previous visit was a stall with a local butcher selling burgers and chips outside the clubhouse and looked to be doing good business. Fatbear was tempted to sample but resisted !

 

Trowbridge made four changes to the side that won the league last weekend, selecting prop Jack Davies, lock Gareth Davies, flanker Rory Murchison and centre Sam Harrison, with Jaden Ephgrave, Max Day, Ben Mallett and Alex Murchison missing out. Seven of the side played in last season’s game at Chippenham.

Chippenham made three changes to the side that narrowly lost at Thornbury. Chris Cook replaced the injured John Rumsey at full-back and current Dorset and Wiltshire Under 20 Callum Angel was in at centre instead of the injured Archie Healey. Salah also was selected at number 8, Alex not Mo, and Jamie Webb was dropped to the 2nds. 10 of the matchday squad of 18 players were home-grown.

Trowbridge were playing in a kit of dark blue shirts with thin yellow and light blue hoops, and dark blue shorts. Chippenham were playing in their usual black and white hoops with red trimmings, with black shorts and black and white socks, which was a bit of a colour clash.

Match Report

Chippenham kicked off with the breeze, and Trowbridge cleared back for a line-out on their 10-metre line. Chippenham threw low to the front of the line-out, and centre Will Hendy made a break to the Trowbridge 22 but was stopped by a good tackle. Trowbridge won a penalty at the subsequent ruck and kicked to halfway.

Trowbridge won their line-out but Chippenham won turnover ball and lock Edgar made a break into the Trowbridge 22, and just when it looked like Chippenham must score, the ball was knocked on to give Trowbridge the put in to a scrum 5 metres from their line. A good shove by the Chippenham pack saw them awarded a scrum, but then Trowbridge were awarded a penalty at the next scrum.

Trowbridge won their line-out ball through lock Gareth Davis and number 8 Pike made a break to the Chippenham 10 metre line, but a box-kick from scrum-half Ali Lane sailed directly into touch.

Asher won the line-out for Chippenham on their 10-metre line but the referee deemed the throw to be not straight.

In the 8^th minute Kyle Oakley won a line-out for Trowbridge and Pike made another break up to the Chippenham 10 metre line but Chippenham force a turnover at the ruck, and had the put in at resulting scrum. Fly-half Jack Smith chipped ahead from the Chippenham scrum but Will Hendy was unable to gather cleanly and Trowbridge full-back Kilbane picked up and ran back to the Chippenham 10 metre line.

Smith knocked on from a Chippenham scrum to give Trowbridge a scrum, from which Pike picked up and ran to the Chippenham 22 until being stopped. Trowbridge fly-half Tom Weaver chipped to the far corner where Chippenham winger George Brooks made the catch but was bundled into touch. However, Chippenham had been caught offside, and despite the penalty being in front of the posts, Trowbridge kicked to have a 5-metre line-out.

The throw was to the front of the line-out for Davis to catch, and a short pass went to fellow lock Olly Bilton, who crashed through a weak tackle and over the line for the opening score of the game. The touchline conversion from Weaver was held-up in the wind, so the score was 0-5 with 14 minutes played.

Shortly after the restart, Smith went on a jinking run, only to eventually run into a dead-end. When Chippenham recycled possession, Smith made another break and fed Salah, and received a return pass, then moved the ball onto Hendy, who dropped the ball 5 metres from the tryline. However, a penalty advantage had been played, which Chippenham kicked to 5 metres.

Lock Ed Hendy won the line-out for Chippenham but the rolling maul was halted. Scrum-half Fogarty took the ball off his forwards and snipped through a gap to score. Cook missed with the conversion so it was 5-5 after 19 minutes.

Chippenham made another break in the middle of the park through Angell but the attempted pass to Salah went to ground. Salah was able to gather, but his pass intended for his winger went directly into touch for a scrum to Trowbridge.

Trowbridge attempted to run out of their 22 but centre Sam Harrison was flattened by a strong tackle from Chippenham back-row forward Louis Healy. Lane attempted a clearing kick but Asher was able to charge down, collect the bouncing ball, then side-stepped past a covering defender for a solo score. Cook’s conversion drifted wide leaving the score 10-5 after 22 minutes.

The Trowbridge restart didn’t go 10 metres but Chippenham caught the ball and ran back into the Trowbridge half but were pinged at the subsequent ruck, enabling Trowbridge to kick into the Chippenham 22. At this point a few drops of hail started to fall.

Trowbridge won their lineout and Pike stormed towards the Chippenham line but was stopped just short. However, another forward was in support and burrowed over close to the uprights. Weaver added the easy conversion to bring the score to 10-12 with 26 minutes on the clock.

Another Chippenham line-out was not straight and after a Trowbridge scrum, Weaver kicked into the Chippenham 22, but Brooks was back covering and the home side won a scrum inside their 22. Chippenham then won a penalty at a ruck, and kicked to just outside the Trowbridge 22. Asher won the line-out but the attempted chip ahead was overhit and the ball went dead for a 22 metre drop-out for Trowbridge and a good chase from the kick saw Chippenham wing Danny Sugg tackled into touch.

Trowbridge spread the ball from their lineout and ex-Chippenham winger Alex Christopher scorched down the touchline and into the Chippenham 22 but the referee brought play back, judging that the pass from Kilbane had been forward.

Smith and Angell combined in midfield for Chippenham but an offload was intercepted. The referee appeared to award a penalty to the home side only to reverse it after some back chat, and Trowbridge were able to take play up to the Chippenham 10 metre line. This time it was Trowbridge who were guilty of a not straight throw.

Smith sent a kick bouncing deep into the Trowbridge 22 with the ball stopping just by the corner flag. Kilbane was forced to play the ball and was clattered into for his troubles. Desperate defending by Trowbridge resulted in a penalty being awarded, and Chippenham took a quick tap and drove for the line. Several drives were defended, and when they tried to run Smith dropped the ball with Brooks in acres of space out wide.

Trowbridge had the scrum put-in but they were driven a few yards backwards following a good shove by the Chippenham pack, and Chippenham were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Rather than take the points with half-time fast approaching, Chippenham opt to take a tap and drive for the line. Again, several drives failed to find a way through the Trowbridge defence before the backs finally were presented with the ball, and passes from Smith and Cook enable Sugg to score in the corner. The conversion from Cook was again missed and the half-time whistle blew to leave the score at 15-12 at the interval.

Not much happened at the beginning of the second period until a Chippenham kick bounced into touch inside the Trowbridge half. Kilbane took a quick throw to himself, and although the ball bounced awkwardly, the Trowbridge full-back was able to gather and ran past 4 would-be tacklers and Trowbridge forced a penalty just inside the Chippenham half. After the replacement Chippenham hooker kicked the ball away, the referee marched Chippenham back 10 metres, and the kick took Trowbridge to 10 metres from the line.

Bilton won the line-out and Chippenham infringed at the rolling maul. Trowbridge kicked to 5 metres. Oakley won the line-out and the Trowbridge pack rumbled over the line. It wasn’t clear who had scored, possibly hooker Rhys Redman, but the touchline conversion narrowly missed at the near post. Trowbridge now led 17-15 with 45 minutes played.

Chippenham lock Ed Hendy made a bullocking run but after being brought to the ground, Trowbridge won a penalty. A bit of kick-tennis ensued until Oakley ran back up to the Chippenham 22 but the scrum was awarded to Chippenham.

Trowbridge were awarded a free-kick at the scrum and took a quick tap but the home side were given a penalty at the following ruck. Will Hendy made a break and Smith sent a bouncing kick into touch midway inside the Trowbridge half. However, the referee took play back for a penalty to Chippenham, which was kicked to virtually the same distance from the Trowbridge line, but on the other side of the pitch, and now with the line-out throw to Chippenham.

However, the line-out was messy and the tap from Healy went forward. Trowbridge cleared their lines and Sugg caught the high ball, but then dropped it as he started running. Trowbridge won a penalty at the scrum for the knock-on and they were back inside the Chippenham 22.

Chippenham stole the line-out and Smith made a break from inside his own 22, and Suggs redeemed himself by taking the pass and fending off Christopher to cross in the corner, and then ran around to touchdown under the posts for his second try of the day. Cross added the extras so Chippenham now led 22-17 after 53 minutes.

Trowbridge looked to hit back and Weaver chipped ahead deep into the Chippenham 22 but Hendy was covering and Fogarty was able make a clearing kick. Weaver was able to keep the ball in play and Trowbridge looked to run the ball. The referee awarded a scrum to the visitors on the Chippenham 22, at which they went down the narrow side. Lane fed Kilbane, who released Christopher to run for the corner but the wing was tackled just short of the line. However, Trowbridge were awarded a penalty, and so had a 5-metre line-out.

The Trowbridge throw was long but flanker Rory Murchison was able to catch and the Trowbridge forwards drove for the try. It appeared that the ball had been dropped over the tryline and the 5-metre scrum went to Chippenham. Salah picked up at the base of the scrum and went off on a run, and Hendy then made a length of the field break only to tackled a couple of yards short of the line.

Chippenham were awarded a penalty, and a quick tap from Fogarty saw the scrum-half force his way past Christopher and Pike to score. Cross made an excellent conversion from close to the touchline, as Chippenham extended their lead to 29-17 with 62 minutes played.

Chippenham were now full of confidence and moved the ball wide from the restart and won a penalty, which was kicked up to the Trowbridge 10 metre line. Chippenham ran from the line-out and won a penalty for a high tackle which took them to 5 metres. The line-out was secured through Asher, and substitute prop Jordan Brew scored from the rolling maul. The conversion drifted wide, with the score 34-17 after 68 minutes.

Play after the restart was messy, with a Chippenham dambuster pass, then a poor tap-back at a Chippenham line-out was bounced upon by a Trowbridge forward but the visitors squandered a promising position with a knock-on.

Salah won a Trowbridge line-out on the Chippenham 10 metre line and Smith’s kick bounced into touch outside the Trowbridge 22. Bilton won the line-out for Trowbridge and the ball was kicked back into the Chippenham half for Will Hendy to make an impressive break through the centre of the Trowbridge defence, only to be brought down by a tap tackle. Smith kicked a grubber for his backs to chase, but they were offside and Trowbridge had a penalty, which took them back to mid-way inside the Chippenham half.

The Trowbridge throw went long, and Chippenham fly-hacked the ball in to touch inside the Trowbridge 22. Play at a Trowbridge throw was again scrappy, and a scrum was awarded to the visitors. Kilbane set off on a run into the Chippenham half but Will Hendy made a great tackle. Trowbridge were awarded a penalty at the ruck, and a punch-up involving most of the players on both sides started. When everything had calmed down, Chippenham’s Cook was shown a yellow card with a couple of minutes of play remaining.

Trowbridge had a line-out inside the Chinnor 22, and an attacking move featuring Oakley, Harrison and Redman ended with an offload by Christopher going forward. However, the referee had been playing an advantage. More pressure yielded another penalty, and Trowbridge were now 5 metres from the line. The line-out was won and the rolling maul made its way over the whitewash, and Redman emerged with the ball. Weaver missed with the conversion and the game ended with the final score 34-22.

Trowbridge fell to their second defeat of the season whilst Chippenham maintained their 100% home record. The projected play-offs remained unchanged after today’s results, although Old Cents, Thornbury and Longlevens were now out of the equation. Also, Fatbear had finally seen Chippenham beat Trowbridge !

 

 

 

Thame United 2-0 Hadley ( att : 77 ) – 2025/26 Southern League Division One Central

March 24, 2026

Tonight saw the third attempt to play this fixture, with attempts to play in late November and early February both thwarted by waterlogged pitches. This was now a match between 6^th and 11^th.

Since these diaries covered Thame’s 4-2 victory over Hertford Town they had taken 7 points from three away matches. A remarkable 6-0 win was recorded at mid-table MK Irish, followed by a hard fought 2-1 success at Stotfold. The run was completed with a 3-3 draw in the derby with lowly Aylesbury United, although this could be seen as a point gained as Thame were 0-2 behind in the first-half and needed a late equaliser to grab a draw.

On Saturday Thame hosted second from bottom Rayners Lane and struggled to a 2-1 victory, with the decisive goal only being scored in the 88^th minute.

Hadley FC

Hadley play in Arkley, which is a suburb in the London Borough of Barnet. Home is the 2,000 capacity Brickhill Lane, from which the nickname The Bricks is derived, and the club has no association with Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley !

The football club were founded in 1882 and played in local leagues until joining the Hertfordshire Senior County League in 1977, and progressed to the Spartan South Midlands League for the 2008/09 season. Hadley were promoted from Spartan South Midlands Premier League at the end of the 2021/22 season after finishing in third place and runners-up Princes Risborough were controversially denied promotion after failing a ground criteria inspection.

In their first season at step 4 Hadley finished a respectable 9^th, improved to 8^th the following season and then 5^th last year, pipping Thame to the final promotion play-off spot. However, The Bricks were soundly beaten 0-5 at Berkhamsted in the play-off semi-final.

Hadley This Season

Hadley arrived at the ASM Stadium in 11^th place in the table a 14-9-12 league record, and were an impressive 7-7-3 away from home.

On Saturday, Hadley drew 2-2 at Welwyn Garden City. Before this The Bricks had taken just one point from 5 games, drawing 2-2 at Flackwell Heath but had lost to top 5 sides Leighton Town ( A 1-2 ) and Biggleswade Town ( H 2-4 ), but also at home to struggling Marlow and Rayners Lane, both 1-2.

Prior to this Hadley had won three in a row, defeating Enfield ( A 4-0 ), Flackwell Heath ( H 2-1 ) and Hertford Town ( H 2-0 ). These wins had come after being thumped 1-4 at Beaconsfield Town and slipping to an unexpected 0-1 home loss to lowly Leverstock Green.

The Bricks other away wins in the league this season had been at Ware ( 3-2 ), Barton Rovers ( 4-1 ) and Stofold ( 1-0 ), Hertford ( 3-1 ) Marlow ( 3-2 ) and Northwood ( 2-0 )

Hadley exited the FA Cup at the hurdle with a 1-2 home loss to step 4 Maldon and Tiptree but they enjoyed a good run in the FA Trophy. A 5-1 win was achieved at Ware, then Hadley got past Ascot United on penalties after 2-2 draw. A shock 2-1 win over step 3 Dartford came next, but the cup run ended in disappointing fashion with a 0-1 defeat at step 4 Tilbury.

Hadley’s average home league attendance to-date this season was 164, the 9^th best in the division, with the highest being 278 for the visit of Hitchin on the opening day of the season.

Hadley Squad

Former Southend Under 18 winger Lenny Asamoah was the leading scorer in the League for The Bricks with 15 goals, followed by ex-Leyton-Wingate striker Isaac Stones on 12 goals.  Long serving captain and midfielder Luke Alfano, who had played for Kings Langley and Hanwell Town, had found the net 7 times.

Centre-back Hedley Ogebor was ever present this season whilst ex-Harrow Borough keeper Charlie Taylor had missed only three league games.

Midfielder Romey Meoded was previously with Southall, defender Prince Kandolo was with Ashford Town last season, and defender Alvin Kyeremeh had played for Leverstock Green.

Midfielder Cameron Ferguson had returned to Hadley after spells at Cockfosters and Northwood Town, wing-back Callum Ismail was with Haringey Borough last season, whilst midfielder Charlie Heyford started as a youth player at Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield Wednesday, but had since played for 9 non-league sides before joining Hadley this season from Biggleswade.

Previous Meetings

In April 2023, Fatbear attended a match between these two sides at the ASM when Thame were comfortable 4-1 winners in an end of season encounter with little riding on it.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2023/04/thame-united-4-1-hadley-att-91-202223.html 

The sides had met 7 times since Hadley joined this Division and Hadley had won all four of their home matches, winning 2-1 in 2022/23 and 3-0 in both 2023/23 and 2024/25.

Back in September, Hadley were victorious by a 4-3 margin, a result that left Thame bottom of the table at the time having lost their first 4 league games.

However, Hadley were yet to win at the ASM. After the defeat in 2022/23, they lost 1-2 the following year, and then last season played out a remarkable 4-4 draw. Hadley established a 3-0 lead midway in the first half, but Thame stormed back to take a 4-3 lead, only for Hadley to equalise late in the game.

Matchday Information

The journey from Arkley to Thame is 44 miles and should normally take an hour via the A41.

After a dry day, the weather at the 19.45 kick-off time was 10 degrees, but the forecasted light rain had just started. 40mph winds were forecast for later during the game.

Entrance to the game was £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, £3 for Under 16s, whilst under 5s went in for free. A pre-match pint of Poretti was £5.40.

An online programme had been produced for the match and free team-sheets were available at the turnstile.

Hadley made one changes to the side that started at Welwyn Garden City, with Stones returning in place of Timothy Ikechukwu, who dropped to the bench. Thame were unchanged from the side that beat Rayners Lane.

As Hadley’s usual colours are red shirts and black shorts, they were in a change kit of all blue today, whilst Thame were in their usual red and black shirts.

Matchday Report

Hadley kicked off towards the ring road end and into a strong wind which was building in strength, and already the linesman’s flag was making a hell of a racket every time he ran into the direction of the wind !

The early stages were scrappy with play twice held up for injuries to Thame players. Dan West needed to have a bandage applied around his chin when he returned to the pitch after being fouled, whilst keeper Matt Crowther needed treatment to his leg after making a clearance but was okay to continue.

Both sides were struggling to get to grips with the conditions and controlling the ball as the wind became increasingly stronger. Thame started looking to play long balls with the wind in their favour.

The first piece of action arrived in the 11^th minute. A Thame long throw deflected off a defender’s head for a corner. Jack Tutton’s in-swinging delivery caught the wind and crashed against the crossbar. The rebound hit West and was hoofed clear. Thame recycled possession and a cross to the far post was well headed off for another corner by Kandolo. This time the corner was headed away at the near post.

Asamoah gathered the loose ball and went off on a run from deep inside his own half towards the Thame area and went down under a challenge from Brayden Daniel. From my seat a long way away, it looked like a penalty, but the referee awarded a free-kick just outside the 18-yard line, and showed a yellow card to Daniel.

Ferguson took the free-kick, which Crowther needed to tip over the bar. The corner was fizzed across the 6-yard line and Kandolo leapt the highest, but his mis-directed header went well wide.

In the 17^th minute, a Thame long throw was headed away as far as Daniel, who went to ground when challenged, but the referee was unimpressed. Play moved down the other end where Curtis Brown bundled over Asamoah near the corner flag, but a goal-kick was the decision.

Three minutes later Thame full-back Brown attempted to clear a bouncing ball but only succeeded with making contact with Asamoah, who crashed to the floor in agony. The Hadley players, bench and supporters were furious, as three decisions within a few minutes had gone again them. They were clearly highly strung. Asamoah was in the wars, a case of the age of blows. In response, the four young Thame supporters behind the goal started singing, presumably it was their Chant No 1.

The first passage of passing football arose when Jack Tutton, Harry Alexander and Louis Walsh combined, but the pass intended to release Daniel was over hit.

In the 24^th minute a long ball from Brown down the right-hand channel released Walsh, who ran into the Hadley area, but his shot from a narrow was saved by the keeper’s legs for a corner to Thame. Alexander sent the corner to beyond the far post but the unmarked West could not get his header on target.

Asamoah’s bruising continued as Thame centre-back Luke Tingay brought him down near the half-way line. The free-kick was over-hit but Ferguson was able to keep the ball in play but his low cross was put out for a corner by Thame captain Mark Riddick.

With 29 minutes played Asamoah was fouled again, this time by Riddick near the half-way line and with most of the Hadley players appealing for the foul, the referee played an advantage, but Ferguson’s ball into the Thame area was gathered at the second attempt by Crowther. When the ball eventually went out of play, a yellow card was subsequently shown to Riddick for the foul.

A few minutes later Ethan Lack’s attempt to run onto a flick from Walsh was halted by what looked to be a cynical obstruction by Kandolo, but the referee allowed play to continue.

Thame were slowly building some pressure on Hadley, but Lack’s chip over the visitors’ back four was well anticipated by keeper Taylor before Alexander could get on the end of it, and he dived on the ball at the second attempt.

The musclebound Hadley forward Jordan Edwards committed a bad foul on Tingay, long after the ball had been cleared by the Thame defender, but it was so late the referee and linesman didn’t see it as the ball was by now in the other half.

Five minutes before the scheduled break, Alexander played a ball over the top for Walsh to run on to but the Thame centre-forward was brought down by Kandolo, who was shown his side’s first yellow card. Tutton’s 20 yard free-kick sailed a couple of feet over the bar.

A minute later a Thame cross deflected off a Hadley defender and Taylor reacted and kept the bouncing ball in play. The Thame players appealed for a corner, but they were ignored by the referee. The keeper’s clearance was headed back by Tingay on the halfway line and Taylor was forced to come out of his area and clear at the expense of a throw-in. The communication from the Hadley shot-stopper to his team-mates was “set-up ******* quicker” !

Thame won a corner in the 44^th minute, but the kick from Alexander sailed in the wind and flew just over the far post.

The rain was now falling much heavier and 10 added minutes were to be played due to all the injuries in the first half. Thame continued to press and Brown played a ball behind Ismail to put Alexander in space, but the cut-back from the byline was intercepted by Ogebor. A few minutes later, Alexander’s attempted chip into the area skidded off the turf and away from the advancing Lack through to Taylor.

It was still scoreless at the interval. There had been some wind-assisted near misses but very little quality football as both sides were rarely able to string three passes together in the difficult conditions. The home supporters would be hoping that playing against the elements might force Thame to keep the ball on the floor.

The weather got dramatically worse during the break, with the gale force wind now blowing down the length of the pitch. The conditions were now horrible but thankfully the players were in the dressing rooms !

Hadley made a good start to the second period. Asamoah made a break down the left-wing and progressed into the Thame area, but his shot from a tight angle was blocked by Crowther. The loose ball ran to the advancing Alfano, but his shot hit a Thame defender and went off for a corner. It was their best chance of the match so far. Hayford’s delivery went to the far post where Ogebor could only steer the ball a few feet wide.

Thame’s passes were not going very far in the gale but following a series of throw-ins they managed to work their way downfield, and Tutton won a corner off Kandolo, which came to nothing.

The weather nearly created a problem for Thame when Crowther attempted to control Tingey’s strongly hit back-pass and the ball flew in the wind of his foot for a corner. Hayford again sent his corner towards the back post but the contact from Edwards was poor, and Thame were able to clear.

Shortly after Thame were guilty of poor communication when Hall could have left a forward ball for a goal-kick, but with no message from his fellow defenders, he headed off for a corner.  Hayford again took the set-piece, and this time it caught the wind and sailed high over the crossbar.

In the 54^th minute Tutton played an incisive ball inside Kandolo for Daniel to run into space. Thame worked the ball across the Hadley 18-yard line and set-up Brown, but his 20-yard shot went straight at Taylor, who made a decent catch.

Thame’s defence were looking increasingly comfortable dealing with the wind, and West was able to leave a Hadley free-kick, allowing it to harmlessly bounce off for a goal-kick.

Tutton then played a classy through pass to release Walsh to run on goal. The centre-forward’s side-footed shot was pushed away by Taylor diving to this left, but Alexander was following up to finish into the empty net. It was 1-0 with 60 minutes played.

Almost immediately, Walsh was again put clear but the flag was raised for off-side, much to the displeasure of the Thame bench, one of whom was show a yellow card for what was said.

Despite playing against the elements, Thame were now winning all the loose balls and were on top. Walsh showed good control to move away from his marker, but with options to both his left and right, his pass to the left was cut-out. Tutton then shot from 20 yards but straight at the Hadley keeper.

With 65 minutes on the clock, Alexander ran from half-way down the right wing and cut inside into the Hadley area but went down far too easily when challenged and the referee allowed play to continue.

The Tutton-Walsh combination was becoming increasingly influential and Walsh this time won a corner after being put clear down the left-hand channel.

Shortly after, Hadley carelessly gave away possession just inside their half and Tutton collected and ran towards the Bricks area before putting Alexander clear, but with only the keeper to beat, the Thame young forward could only shoot against the legs of Taylor as the keeper advanced from his line. It was a great chance to double Thame’s lead.

The first substitution was made in the 68^th minute as Hadley sought a reformation as Bobby Bircham replaced Ferguson, and it nearly had an instant impact when Crowther hesitated in collecting a long ball into his area, allowing Edwards to take possession, but the attempted pass across the Thame area was poor and was cleared.

Hadley were made to pay for failing to capitalise on the half-chance when Tutton played another lovely pass to put Walsh clear, and this time the Thame forward coolly finished past Taylor on his left-hand side and into the corner of the net. 2-0 with 75 minutes on the clock.

The storm was by now easing off a little as Brown intercepted a Hadley cross-field pass with his head and then ran from his own half but his attempted pass to put Daniel clear saw the off-side flag raised to halt the move.

Bircham had a go from long range, but the Hadley substitute’s effort bounced through to Crowther, who held well in the difficult conditions.

With 10 minutes remaining, Thame full-back Hall was under pressure as the ball bounced away from him with the wind towards the corner flag, but Hadley substitute Ikechukwu committed a stupid, unnecessary foul to relieve the pressure.

Thame were looking the side most likely to score the next goal. Hall, Daniel and Lack exchanged passes to force a corner of Kandolo, from which Tingey’s header looked to be goal-bound until it hit a defender and deflected wide. Substitute Greg Hackett was found in space by Walsh but his low ball into the 6-yard box was cleared before Riddick could apply a finishing touch.

Hadley were still searching for a lifeline, but Edwards was crowded out at the far post from a corner.  Thame went down the other end and after Daniel made a strong run his low cross reached Alexander, who shot narrowly wide from around 12 yards.

Hackett then teed up substitute Abu Khan but the threatening low cross was cleared, after which Hackett played in Alexander, who was tackled by Harry Gallagher when trying to walk the ball into the net.

The final action saw Gallagher’s 35-yard thunderbolt with the wind go inches wide of the top corner with the Thame keeper an interested spectator.

To cut a long story short, Thame were ultimately deserved winners. After a difficult first half, they adapted much better to the conditions in the second half and could have scored more than two goals playing into the gale. However, both sides deserve credit for their performances in atrocious conditions.

With the victory, Thame moved up into 4^th place in the table, Hadley remained in 11^th.

Thame United : Crowther – Brown ( Khan ), Tingey, West, Hall – Lack, Tutton ( Hackett ), Riddick, Daniel – Alexander, Walsh ( Williams )

Hadley :  Taylor – Kandolo, Gallagher, Ogebor, Ismail ( Shiham ) – Hayford ( Young ), Ferguson ( Bircham ), Alfano – Asamoah ( Lodovica ), Stones ( Ikechukwu ), Edwards