MATT Williams still remembers the moment his Chinnor side developed the steely mindset which has turned them into a winning machine.

One of only two teams to hold a 100 per cent record in National League 2 South, they are a far cry from where they found themselves exactly 12 months ago.

With just one victory from nine games, Chinnor sat second bottom and up until Christmas struggled to build a consistent run of results.

But a wet and windy Saturday afternoon at then second-placed Old Albanians on February 6 this year proved to be the setting for their turnaround.

Taking on a team who had not lost at home, Williams watched his side come away with an unexpected 17-5 win.

“I will never forget that day,” said Chinnor’s director of rugby.

“I said to the boys ‘today is the moment, it is now or never because no words can motivate you for where we are at’.

“I walked out of the changing room, and listened at the door.

“The guys told themselves ‘stop losing, we are too good to be where we’re at’.

“I walked back in, looked around and the whole vibe of the room was something I had not experienced in two years at the club.

“There was a real intensity, no-one was talking, everyone was nervous, but there was a glint in people’s eyes.

“That was the moment the guys realised they were a good team.”

Seven victories in Chinnor’s last nine games followed, helping them finish sixth.

And they have not let up steam since as they sit top of the table and prepare to take on the only other side in the division who also hold a 100 per cent record – Old Elthamians this Saturday.

The arrival of former Canada international Richard Thorpe as a player and head coach during the summer has added a professional mindset.

And much of Chinnor’s success has been based around a desire to put their bodies on the line, leading to the best defensive record in the division, with only 108 points conceded.

They also dub themselves the ‘Chinnor Crazy Gang’ due to the tight-knit nature of the group.

Williams added: “We spend a lot of time together, we want to do that.

“The culture of these boys is no-one is willing to let someone through the defensive line.

“The fundamental difference is the mindset and the culture.”