Chinnor’s heroic defence proved the key as they triumphed 27-16 over London Irish Wild Geese for a welcome away victory in National 2 South.

Nick Harrison had a storming game in the first half and the whole team, impressively led by Liam Gilbert, were immense in the second half. New boy Jamie Townsend gave a man-of-the-match performance, tackling fiercely, throwing accurately and carrying the ball with power and purpose.

Two quick penalties from Oscar Thomas put Irish 6-0 ahead on six minutes, but Joe Marston dotted down Chinnor’s opening try, converted by Will Millett.

Another Thomas penalty made it 9-7 and with the match being played almost exclusively in the Chinnor half for long periods, the Oxfordshire side were under the cosh.

However, a breakout was rewarded with a penalty, which Millett dispatched, and they went further ahead with a try from Harrison in the corner. Millett added the extras for a 17-9 lead.

After a further ten minutes of defending on their 22, Chinnor again broke out and worked the blindside to allow Leo Fielding to ghost through for a try under the posts. Millett converted to put the visitors 24-9 up at half-time.

In the second half, the Wild Geese pack started to gain ascendancy and it only seemed a matter of time before a pushover try was awarded to the home side. Chinnor, however, repulsed everything thrown at them despite 19 minutes of pressure five metres from their line.

They snatched another three points courtesy of a Millett penalty, only for Wild Geese to lay siege to the Chinnor line again. Ed Keohane eventually broke the Chinnor line to score under the posts, converting his own try with a quickly taken drop to cut the deficit to 27-16. Chinnor were not to be denied, however, defending solidly in the last few seconds before a welcome final whistle sounded.