Sat 26 Mar 2022, 15:00
Leeds Tykes added another point on the league ladder, boosting their survival hopes with an energetic second half revival in Oxfordshire.
Jon Callard’s side found themselves 33-15 down at the interval as the hosts started the game at a blistering pace.
Chinnor took full advantage of Seremaia Bai Turagabeci’s early yellow card, racing into a 14-0 lead with tries from Dean Hammond and Nick Smith.
Tighe Maxwell-Whiteley got Leeds on the scoreboard with a penalty before winger Kieran Goss dived over to restore Chinnor’s dominance at 21-3, with just 14 minutes on the clock.
Leeds dug in as Tobi Ademakin plunged over the whitewash to reduce the deficit. However, it didn’t stem the tide for long as Hammond touched down for his second on 28 minutes. The bonus point score was converted by James Bourton, taking his tally to 4/4 with the boot.
Tom Williams benefited from a quick tap penalty to hit the post pad and reduce the arrears to 28-15 following Maxwell-Whiteley’s conversion.
Five minutes before the interval, Mark Darlington went over off the back of a driving maul to give the hosts an ultimately insurmountable buffer. This time, Bourton was off target with the extras to make it 33-15 at halftime.
The Tykes, as they so often do, came out for the second half revitalised, determined to make the game more competitive. The visitors offered much more in attack, backing themselves to find gaps in the opposition defence.
After several chances were blown through handling errors, Trystan Lloyd’s try via an outstretched arm, converted by Maxwell-Whiteley, was just reward for the Tykes’ endeavour, 33-22.
To ensure their five points were safe, Chinnor opted to take a penalty to stretch their lead, Bourton again on target.
With 11 minutes to play, Harry Jukes crossed for a try bonus point, something which may prove invaluable come the final league standings.
Despite several late surges, Leeds’ slow start left them with too much to do on this occasion.
Speaking after the game, Coach Callard said: “We made it difficult for ourselves with a poor start to the game. However, the way we played in the second half should give us some encouragement. Ultimately, in our quest to stay in this league, coming away from here with a point may be crucial.”
