Leeds Tykes produced a gutsy performance built on solid defence to claim back-to-back league victories for the first time this season.
Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley opened the scoring after a tense first 15 minutes with a penalty. Chinnor responded soon after in what would turn out to be a see-saw encounter. Their captain Ben Manning forced his way over and Tom Price converted.
Maxwell-Whiteley narrowed the gap with his second penalty to keep the Tykes in touch. Filled with confidence, the Tykes continued to attack. Dancing feet from Kieran Davies created a gap in the defensive line and he was able to feed the onrushing Ben Dixon to score between the posts. Maxwell-Whiteley converted.
Mark Darlington crossed for Chinnor on the back of a strong maul, but Price’s conversion landed short.
In a bright start to the second half, Leeds produced several phases of incisive attack. Kieran Davies kicked a grubber behind the defence, but Charlie Venables knocked on in the act of scoring. The Ref went back for a penalty, which was kicked to touch.
In the next phase, John Okafor led the forward pack in a show of defiance to touch down from a planned line-out move.
Chinnor responded straight away through Jason Worrall who scored out wide after taking a looping pass from Price.
Not to be outdone, Maxwell-Whiteley produced a moment of magic to score under the posts and added his third conversion.
Almost immediately, Josh McNulty hit back for the visitors’ bonus point try. Price added the conversion, setting up a tense finale.
Worrall thought he had snatched victory for Chinnor, only to be rebuffed by a try-saving tackle from Kieran Davies, who took him into touch.
Davies found himself out wide after a free-flowing move at the other end. He chased what seemed to be a lost cause and looked to have touched down but was denied by the referee after consultation with the touch judge.
Chinnor went hell for leather in search of victory, but robust Tykes defence was the order of the day. Successive penalties gave the visitors hope but a knock on in the final play allowed Kit Keith to clear to touch, sending the Tykes supporters home happy.
Speaking after the game, Director of Rugby, Jon Callard said: “This is a good way to end our first block of the season. I’m happy but there is still a long way to go. The physicality is coming, and we are developing nicely so credit to the boys.”
Final score 27 – 24
(HT 13-12)
Our scorers
