Chinnor enjoyed a 22-10 opening-day success at home to Darlington Mowden Park, carrying on from a fine pre-season which saw them record an eye-catching 33-19 triumph at last year’s National One champions Cambridge, and a hefty 67-12 victory against Wimbledon.

This carried on a fine run since ex-England man Nick Easter took over as Director of Rugby last December in which the Thame men won 10 of their last 15 – and an impressive six of their last seven – games, to move from flirting with relegation to a healthy mid-table finish.

Players to Watch:

George Merrick – An eye-catching summer signing, ‘The Fridge’, who stands at 6ft 7in and weighs in at some 120kgs, is a powerful second row who racked up a century of Harlequins caps before moving to French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne.

From there he returned to Worcester Warriors, the ex-Whitgift School man arriving at Chinnor following a spell at Carcassone back in France.

James Bourton – Another former Harlequin who switched to Thame from Ealing Trailfinders during the summer.

A classy three-quarter capable of playing anywhere between fly-half and full-back, he enjoyed a fine loan season at Kingsey Road during the 2021/22 campaign, racking up 194 points including 11 tries.

Scored the opener against DMP last Saturday.

Morgan Passman – Quick and powerful ex Newcastle Falcons three-quarter equally adept on the wing or at outside centre.

As a teenager he enjoyed a phenomenal National Two North campaign in 2018/19, grabbing 31 tries including five hat-tricks for Tynedale.

In four National One games for DMP the following year he scored eight tries, four apiece against Plymouth Albion and Birmingham Moseley.

Injury curtailed his campaign after the return from Covid, but he was back to his best last term, crossing 16 times in 17 games.

To book tickets for Friday night's floodlit clash with Chinnor for £15 (on the day £17.50), click here