May 31, 2025
The 2024/25 Championship season reached its final round on the last day of May, as Chinnor entertained Cambridge in a match between 10th and 12th, and regardless of the result today, the two sides would finish in the same places in the final table for the season.
This was the fourth meeting between the two clubs this season. On the opening day of the season, Chinnor romped to a 57-24 victory in Cambridge in their first ever fixture at the second level of rugby in England. Then, after being excluded from the Premiership Cup, the two sides organised the Not The Prem Cup, in which Chinnor took the trophy after a 33-24 win at home in November and a 33-31 success in the return in March.
Chinnor Update
Two weeks ago, Chinnor slipped to a narrow 19-24 defeat at home to London Scottish but last week they were well beaten 26-61 at Bedford Blues, although the score was 19-19 at half-time. This was the first time Chinnor had conceded 50 points this season, but it wasn’t quite their biggest losing margin, having lost 5-41 at Ealing Trailfinders earlier in the month. However, these were away games against the top two sides in the division.
Chinnor would probably be satisfied with a 10th place finish in their debut season at this level, having achieved notable scalps in beating Bedford, Doncaster and Nottingham at home, and drawing at Hartpury, as well as doing the double over Caldy. All of this achieved with what is believed to be the lowest budget in the league, and apart from Coventry, it was the best performance by a newly promoted side to the Championship in the last 10 years.
However, there could also be some frustration at the number of defeats by small margins. Games against Ampthill, Cornish Pirates ( twice ), Nottingham, Coventry and London Scottish could easily have gone the other way, and with a bit more experience, know-how or luck, Chinnor could have been a couple of places of higher in the table. Hopefully, lessons will have been learned for next season so they might be able to close out more close games.
Chinnor would also be delighted by the huge home support they have received this season. A combination of a better match-day experience, active marketing, and more attractive opposition with more traveling support had resulted in Chinnor becoming the third best supported team in the division ( and hence the 13th best in the country ), with an average of 1,777, which compared to 1,062 last season, and 479 for 2022/23. Nearly a 400% increase over two seasons !
Cambridge Update
Cambridge came into today on a losing run of 12 consecutive league games, and they had lost every game played in 2025. They had won just three matches, at home to Ampthill and Cornish Pirates, and at Caldy, had conceded over 1,000 points, and had conceded 50+ points in their last 7 games, and 11 times in total this season.
Cambridge though did have seven four try bonus points, so a high scoring game looked to be in prospect, so Fatbear would need to have plenty of paper and ink to record all the action !
Last time out, Cambridge lost 43-54 at Ampthill after leading 29-14 at half-time. It seemed to mirror several of their recent outings, in which they had been competitive in the first-half, before fading away in the second period.
The Not The Prem Cup match was covered in November, and a lot of background information on Cambridge was included in that report.
https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/11/chinnor-33-24-cambridge-att-1442-202425.html
Prop Jake Ellwood made 9 appearances for Chinnor in 2018 whilst on loan from Ealing Trailfinders, whilst hooker Morgan Vaness played 5 times in 2021, also on loan from Ealing Trailfinders.
Full-back Elias Cavan had scored 11 tries and was the top points scorer with 91 points. Hooker Ben Brownlie had touched down on 10 occasions.
With the Championship being expanded to 14 sides for next season with the promotion of National League One winners Richmond and the reformed Worcester Warriors being parachuted in, there was to be no relegation for the bottom placed side this season. Cambridge therefore had the opportunity to regroup and go again next season, and as part of that process they had announced the departure of 15 players plus 7 loanees returning to their parent clubs. Eight of the leavers started at Ampthill, with another two on the bench.
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.
The weather at the 15.00 kick-off was sunny and the temperature was 22 degrees but the infamous Chinnor breeze was present but relatively gentle by its winter standards !
Adult tickets purchased online were £17 but £15 for members, which was £1 more for members than the recent games against Pirates, Nottingham and Scottish. Perhaps Cambridge were seen as more attractive opposition !
For over £65s and students it was also £1 higher at £15 but it was still £3 for Under 16s. Prices at the gate were £19 for adults and £16 for members. Under 10s were allowed in for free.
An online programme had been produced in advance of today’s game. In the Chairman’s notes it was stated that Chinnor will at least break-even this season, which is pretty rare in the top two divisions of English rugby.
Cambridge made one change to the XV that started against Ampthill with Iestyn Rees replacing Joe Gaffan in the back row. Starters Joshua Skelcey, Sam Hanks, Matt Hema, Joe Tarrant, Kayde Sylvester, George Bretag-Norris and Ben Brownlie would all be making their last appearances in the Blood and Sand shirt ( or the away equivalent ! ), as would substitutes Morgan Vaness and Ollie Betterbridge.
Chinnor made one change to the side that lost at Bedford, with lock Dan Cooke coming in for his first start of the season, replacing George Shaw, who appeared to be playing for Ealing Trailfinders today. Captain Willie Ryan announced his retirement during the week, and so would be playing his final match.
Chinnor had also announced that Max Clementson was retiring and Alfie North was moving abroad. The move of Keston Lines to Coventry was confirmed, and that Australian full-back Will Feeney would be joining Ealing. Feeney had been outstanding this season until getting injured in January, ironically against Ealing.
Cambridge were in a change kit of blue shirts with black shirts and socks, whilst Chinnor were in their usual black and white hoops.
Match Report
Cambridge kicked off towards the Showground end with the breeze at their backs. Scrum-half Luke Carter’s clearing kick was charged down by Bretag-Norris but full-back Nick Smith gathered and made a break outside of his 22. Carter then made a break from a ruck to get into the Cambridge half but a knock on at a ruck gave the scrum to Cambridge. Cambridge were awarded a free-kick at the scrum, but unfortunately for them, their kick went dead to give Chinnor a scrum on half-way.
Chinnor forced a penalty at the scrum and kicked into the Cambridge 22. The line-out was won by Cooke, but it was untidy and prop Rob Hardwick cleaned up possession. Chinnor attacked to the right and then to the left, and wing Kieran Goss was able to touchdown out wide. Nathan Chamberlain added an excellent conversion from close to the touchline to make it 7-0 after 7 minutes.
Shortly after the restart, Slyvester won a lineout for Cambridge but number 8 Ben Adams knocked on in midfield. However, Cambridge were awarded a scrum, presumably for a knock-on by Chinnor earlier in the move.
The Cambridge scrum was going backwards but the referee deemed this was due to something illegal by the Chinnor pack, and awarded a penalty to the visitors, which was kicked to 5 metres from the Chinnor line. Rees claimed the lineout for Cambridge and after several drives by the Cambridge forwards, Chinnor were offside at a ruck. Cambridge had a penalty in front of the posts 8 metres out but they opted for a scrum.
The Chinnor pack produced a good shove but Cambridge were able to get the ball away and centre Matt Hema was able to dive over the whitewash. Full-back Cavan add the extras to take the score to 7-7 with 14 minutes played.
Cambridge kicked the restart back to the Chinnor 22, where Smith kicked for a lineout on the Chinnor 10 metre line. Cambridge smartly threw to prop Zac Nearchou at the front of the line-out but the chip ahead by scrum-half Pete White was overhit and rolled dead in the in-goal area.
Chinnor had a scrum on their 10-metre line and were awarded a free-kick. Carter took a quick tap, leading to a break by lock Cooke, whose inside pass was well caught by Carter, who raced under the posts. Chamberlain added the easy extras to make the score 14-7 with 18 minutes played.
After the restart was kicked off for a line-out, a chip ahead by Cambridge fly-half Tarrant looked to have put centre Hanks clear, but the referee’s whistle’s took play back for a penalty to the visitors. The move was presumably negated by a knock-on earlier in the move.
Bretag-Norris, who was to have an impressive game at the lineout for Cambridge, won the lineout inside the Chinnor 22 but after several Cambridge attacks, they dropped the ball in midfield, enabling Chamberlain to pick-up, and then wisely pass to the speedy Carter, who ran 60 metres to the tryline and touch down under the posts. Chamberlain added the extras for Chinnor to lead 21-7 with 21 minutes on the clock.
Shortly after the restart, Chinnor won turnover ball and Carter launched a high kick which wing Grant Hughes was able to claim. Chinnor spread play to the left and Goss was tackled after making ground deep into the Cambridge half. Chamberlain’s grubber kick was gathered by Cambridge wing Matt Williams close to his tryline, but Chinnor’s attackers infringed in trying to regain possession.
The Cambridge lineout after the penalty was thrown too long and hooker Walker gathered for Chinnor, who launched a backs move, and an inside pass set-up Hughes to dive over the line with two Cambridge defenders hanging on to him. Chamberlain again converted so Chinnor now led 28-7 after 29 minutes.
Cambridge looked to quickly hit back and Tarrant’s smart chip ahead needed to be bundled into touch by Smith before Hanks could capitalise, but the referee brought play back for an earlier infringement by Chinnor, and Cambridge had a 5 metre lineout. Charles Friend secured the lineout ball and prop Nearchou barged over. Despite Cambridge scoring the try, Chinnor lock Scott Hall was shown a yellow card for illegally trying to prevent the score, and Cavan added the conversion to take the score to 28-14 with 33 minutes played.
Shortly after the restart, Chinnor centre James Bourton made a strong break through the heart of the Cambridge defence and a pass to Goss enabled the South African wing to cross in the corner for his second try of the game. Chamberlain added a fantastic conversion for close to the touchline so Chinnor now lead 35-14 after 36 minutes.
Carter caught the restart but kicked straight out to give Cambridge a lineout close to the Chinnor 22. Chinnor stole the line-out but play was scrappy and Cambridge eventually won a lineout on the Chinnor 10 metre line. However, Friend knocked forward at the lineout and Chinnor released Goss who made ground into the Cambridge half. Cambridge won turnover ball but spoilt it with a knock-on in midfield.
Chinnor had a scrum on half-way and won a penalty to kick into the Cambridge 22. Cooke won the lineout for Chinnor and the rolling maul rumbled towards the Cambridge try-line but was stopped short. Chinnor launched several drives but Cambridge scrum-half White intercepted a probable try-scoring pass and looked to have a 90-metre run to the Chinnor try-line but the referee blew his whistle for a penalty, having been playing an advantage for Chinnor.
Chinnor kicked to 5 metres, and after winning the lineout, hooker Alun Walker was put clear to trundle over the try-line. Surprisingly the conversion from Chamberlain slide wide of the far post, but Chinnor now lead 40-14 as the referee blew for half-time.
Cambridge made a lively start to the second half, stealing possession at a ruck after the referee indicated the ball was indeed out, but their kick deep into the Chinnor half was run back by Harry Dugmore, and after Chinnor reworked possession, Ryan’s burst enabled an offload to Bourton, who chose to decline the support from Hall and score himself despite the attentions of the covering defender. Chamberlain was again successful from the tee to take the score to 47-14 after 42 minutes.
Chinnor were judged to be offside after a high Cambridge kick was knocked back by Hughes. Cambridge kicked into the Chinnor 22 and Friend won the lineout, and with a penalty advantage Cambridge spread wide only to be thwarted by an interception catch by Goss. The referee took play back to the earlier offence, and Cambridge were camped on the 5 metre line. Their rolling maul was successful and hooker Brownlie was credited with the try. Cavan’s attempted conversion slide wide of the uprights. It was now 47-19 after 47 minutes.
The restart was dropped by Cambridge but it was deemed to have gone backwards. White’s attempted clearance was charged down by Hall, who ran on to gather and score close to the posts. Again Chamberlain added the easy extras, as Chinnor extended their lead to 54-19 after 49 minutes.
Chinnor substitute Callum Pascoe was shown a yellow card less than a minute after entering the field of play, as the referee determined he was the most guilty of being offside from a Cambridge attack. The visitors kicked to close to 5 metres, and their efficient lineout and rolling maul moves led to Brownlie again scoring from close range. However, the conversion from Cavan was caught in the win and sailed past the upright. The score had move to 54-24 with 51 minutes played and Cambridge now had a try bonus point.
Willie Ryan stole a Cambridge lineout but substitute Will Cave knocked on in midfield. Cambridge then had a dangerous attack with a 3 on 1, but a fabulous tackle by Smith on Cavan ended the move, and Chinnor won possession.
Ryan was penalised at a ruck on the Chinnor 22, and White kicked Cambridge to 5 metres. Again, the efficient Cambridge rolling maul was successful, this time Sylvester was credited with the try. Cavan again failed from the tee, so the score moved to 54-29 after 59 minutes.
Shortly after, Chinnor attacked from a lineout on the Cambridge 10 metre line but Chinnor were awarded a penalty, which took them deep inside the Cambridge 22. Cooke won the lineout and the Chinnor pack rumbled over, with substitute Will Cave credited with the touchdown. Chamberlain again added the two points from the tee. Chinnor now lead 61-29 after 64 minutes.
Cambridge were still looking for some tries for respectability and Bretag-Norris again won lineout ball from which Cambridge won a penalty at a ruck to take them deep inside the Chinnor 22. However, the throw was too long and Pascoe gathered for the home side and kicked back into the Cambridge 22. The visitors attacked and an acrobatic offload from Hema gave Cambridge a good attacking position. Chinnor’s defence was good but the referee awarded a penalty to the visitors.
Shortly after, Skelcey was tackled short of the Chinnor line, but Vaness was on hand to pick up and dive over for a try against his former club. Cavan again missed from the tee, so the score was now 61-24 with 68 minutes played.
Cambridge went in search of another try but after Tarrant’s cute chip ahead for Hema, Carter was able to gather and kick deep into the Cambridge 22, where a lucky bounce put Cavan under pressure, but the full-back was able to clear to the 10 metre line.
Cooke won the lineout for Chinnor, Passman burst through three flimsy tackles, and his offload gave Pascoe an easy run under the posts. Smith added the extras so the score become 68-34 with 73 minutes played.
There was still time for Cambridge to cough-up possession in midfield, and at the subsequent ruck, Carter made a snipping break, chipped over the covering defender, gathered the bouncing ball and strolled under the posts. Smith again converted to take the score to 75-34 after 76 minutes.
From another Cambridge attack, the Blood and Sand knocked on for Carter to pounce and canter over the line for his fourth try of the game. With the conversion in front of the posts, flanker Alfie North was allowed to take the kick in his final appearance for Chinnor, and he added the two points. The referee blew the final whistle to signal an 82-34 victory for Chinnor to bring an end to entertaining game that featured 18 tries !
Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY7P4bIO7Vs
