Bazalgette pulls strings to tie Chinnor in knots

By JOHN VAUGHAN

Chinnor …………. 19pts

Tries: Clementson 60, Ryan 78, Moore 80

Conversions: Bourton 61, 80

Hartpury ………. 34pts

Tries: Short 18, Morgan 22, Austin 42, Minto 45

Conversions: Bazalgette 19, 23, 43, 46

Penalties: Bazalgette 10, 40

HARTPURY came away with a convincing win after managing to repel a full throttle comeback from Chinnor in the final quarter.

The visitors produced a professional performance in the first half with Harry Bazalgette pulling the strings to post a 20-0 lead and then upped the tempo with two fine tries to put the result seemingly to bed.

Mike Austin supported well after a break from the dangerous Robbie Smith and scooted home from 50m, quickly followed by another break from deep that Evan Minto finished off for 34-0 after 45 minutes.

Chinnor produced a thrilling comeback as they eventually got on the better side of a whistle happy referee to score three tries but their brave comeback effort fell short of a bonus point.

Hartpury coach John Barnes said: “It was a very pleasing result and I was impressed with our control and precision in the first half. I told the boys that the first score after the break was crucial, so I was extremely pleased when Mikey showed a clean pair of heels.

“Chinnor defended well in the first half but Harry’s experience in controlling the game was a crucial factor. It was great to see such a large crowd at such a lovely club and fair paly to Minty and his squad who gave it the kitchen sink in the second half.”

Bazalgette dictated play superbly and his error free performance was the difference as Chinnor’s unenforced error count meant they were continually on the back foot. This was compounded by the referee who reduced Chinnor to 13 men which eventually allowed Alex Morgan to score, well converted by Bazalgette.

The visitors upped the tempo in the second half and raced to a 34-0 lead with tries from Austin and Minto. Chinnor responded, a superb break out of defence from Grant Hughes who was cynically pushed over by Bazalgette – who saw yellow – as he chased his kick through.

That’s when Chinnor staged their rearguard action and were just short of getting a bonus point after tries from Max Clementson, Willie Ryan and Chris Moore. Chinnor DoR Nick Easter said: “I was really impressed with our defensive effort in the first half. If we had eradicated our unforced errors the match would have been in the balance.”