Nottingham Rugby v Chinnor
29 March 2026 | The Bay | Elior Champ Rugby
Nottingham’s attempt to win three successive matches for the first time since February 2020 ultimately came up short as Chinnor dealt with the wind blowing across The Bay better than their hosts to run out 26-19 winners.
Centre Charlie Myall tried to explain how it didn’t quite click for the home side: “Credit to Chinnor, they played into the weather really well. It was a tough day at the office with little stuff going wrong and that led to the big stuff.”
It didn’t look like that might be the case right from the off, however, as the Archers were ahead inside five minutes when Michael Green chased a low kick into the Chinnor half and released James Cherry to score his 15th try of the season. Gwyn Parks added the extras.
That spurred Nick Easter’s men into life and the quarter of an hour or so were played almost exclusively within sight of the Nottingham try line with the home side also struggling with their discipline. After Chinnor were held up twice, they had more success at the third time of asking, approaching the midpoint of the half, as Ramaz Rukhadze piled over from close range and Nathan Chamberlain levelled the scores.
Chinnor were immediately back on the attack and Scott Hall put the visitors ahead for the first time in the contest. Chamberlain hit the post this time.
It wasn’t until the half hour mark that Nottingham first had any decent territory and, once more, Cherry was on hand to turn the pressure into points as he peeled off the back of a collapsed maul to draw his side level with Parks missing the conversion.
The following 10 minutes were played out in the midfield making it Nottingham 12-12 Chinnor at half time.
Nottingham started the second half brightly but it was Chinnor who put themselves back in front when flanker Will Cave found a huge gap in the Archers’ defence after being provided with good field position by a 50:22. Chamberlain added the extras.
Much like the first half there then followed a prolonged spell of pressure by the visitors and midway through the half, aided by a yellow card for Dan Richardson, they extended their lead through Sam Hanks and Chamberlain converted once again.
The 14 men of Nottingham hit back almost instantly, however, as Leicester loanee Charlie Myall darted over on his first start for the Archers since last season. Parks converted.”On a personal level, I’m happy with scoring for the first time here since my big injury but you always want to win so I’m a bit mad about that.” said the try scorer.
But that was as good as it got for Craig Hammond’s men as Chinnor’s suffocating play prevented any further incursions into their territory and they saw out the win.