For the second week in succession Nottingham upped the tempo after half-time to take the victory but league newcomers Chinnor made The Archers work hard to the very last minute to secure the points.

The first period was very much an attritional affair with the opening aerial exchanges morphing into a battle of wits up front. Both sides briefly exerted pressure on their opponent’s try line but Nottingham couldn’t convert after a series of penalties had given them good field position, then Harry Graham made a crucial interception to prevent the visitors opening the scoring midway through the half.

Chinnor came again but were held up over the Nottingham line so, when they were awarded a penalty in the 33rd minute they opted for the posts and ultimately recorded the only points of the half, making it Nottingham 0-3 Chinnor at the break.

Nottingham came alive after the restart and were soon in the lead after Jack Dickinson cemented his position as The Archers’ top try scorer this season with his fourth score in the last three matches from a driving maul.

Craig Hammond’s men were showing their prowess both on the front line and in the backs by this stage and, after Gwyn Parks had missed a penalty attempt in the 52nd minute, Nottingham were able to extend their lead soon after when Sam Williams finished off a beautiful passing move.

Lewis Chessum, having joined the fray as a replacement moments earlier, then made it 19-3 as he went over in the corner midway through the half.

It may be that The Archers thought it was ‘job done’ at this point but, as we all know, a lot can happen in the last 12 minutes of a match and, on this occasion, Nick Easter’s side scored two tries and nearly nicked the win at the death.

After centres Morgan Passman and Grant Hughes had brought Chinnor within four points, with time running out the away side had a penalty that they kicked to the corner. However, captain fantastic David Williams acrobatically leapt to keep both him and the ball in play on his own five metre line enabling Ryan Olowofela to make the clearance and secure the win – Nottingham 19-15 Chinnor.