MATCH REPORT: SIX-TRY TITANS TOPPLE CHINNOR

RAMS Titans ran in six tries to start their HALBRO Raging Bull Shield Division One campaign with a 34-14 victory against Chinnor Falcons on a sweltering afternoon at Kingsey Road.

With the sun beating down and temperatures above 30 degrees, it was the away side who made the first inroads, a Rowan Grundy half-break and long pass allowing the returning Charlie Robson to finish smartly on the right.

Things nearly got better when outstanding full-back Finn Matthews produced a beautiful side-step before crossing the whitewash, only for the ball to slip from his grasp as he went to touch down.

However, Titans moved further in front shortly afterwards, their excellent defence forcing an interception which Connor Hayhow ran in from some 65 metres out.

Grundy made no mistake with the conversion, and Rams collected their third try of the afternoon with the final play of the first half, a sweeping backs move ending with Matthews hitting the line at pace before spinning the ball to Sam Rennell to dot down on the left.

Tom Humberstone took over kicking duties to land a good one for a 19-0 advantage at the break, and it was the centre-cum-fly-half who wrapped up the bonus point early in the second period.

A powerful maul from the forwards took Titans into their opponents’ 22, and when Ed Hoadley then shipped the ball left, it was that man Matthews who broke the line before the ball made its way to Humberstone to touch down.

A young Chinnor side stuck to their guns well, though, and were given due reward when getting on the scoreboard through a close-range converted try from Will Cave.

But the visitors responded swiftly, replacement wing Scott Harman producing a sensational finish on the left, his goose-step foxing the would-be defender before the try made it 29-7.

Again Chinnor rallied, however, and when Humberstone was charged down in midfield, some excellent interplay saw the hosts get over the line for their second seven-pointer.

It was Titans who would have the last word, though, carrying strongly towards the line before Hayhow had the simple task of crossing from a couple of metres out to double his tally, Humberstone’s attempted conversion leaking wide right proving the final action on an entertaining – and seriously hot – afternoon.