MATT Williams believes Chinnor have sent out a message to their National League 1 counterparts.

The Thame-based side recorded an impressive 26-11 victory at Plymouth Albion on their debut in the third tier of English rugby last Saturday.

A committed and powerful performance saw Chinnor stun a side who had only lost once at home in each of their previous two seasons and are among the favourites to challenge for the title.

The Oxfordshire club, promoted from National League 2 South via the play-offs, had no interest in Albion’s stature.

Director of rugby Williams had headed to Devon with a determination for his Chinnor side to prove why they should not be underestimated – and they delivered.

“It was a game I was always quietly confident about, they would’ve been totally unprepared on what we’re about,” he said.

“We’ve managed in pre-season to vastly step up from where we left off at the end of last season and we were fully charged to go and beat them.

“Everyone knows what we’re about now – they have the footage.

“There’s no pressure on us. We’re here this year to have fun, enjoy ourselves, break a few hearts along the way and go about our own business.”

Fly-half Caolan Ryan did not miss a kick to score 16 points on his debut.

But it was two members of Chinnor’s pack who impressed Williams in Plymouth.

He said: “I don’t like, in a good team performance, picking people out for extra credit, but (prop) Jack Gilding was immense.

“It was the best performance he has had in a Chinnor shirt and I’ve said to him that’s the level he has to achieve week in, week out.

“A close second was Tommy Burns at No 8, who was just an absolute battleship.

“It’s not the fact he scored a try but more how he did it. There are not many players who would’ve been tackled three times over 50 metres and got to their feet and scored.

“Everyone had a great game, Caolan’s kicking was exemplary, but the match was won because we stood up to them up front and they didn’t like it.”

  • OXFORD are exploring the opportunity to set up a ladies’ team.

The North Hinksey-based side already have two men’s sides.

And they are hoping an England Rugby Inner Warrior Training Session next Wednesday, which aims to increase female participation in the sport, will help attract ladies to the club.

Oxford are also linking up with Oxford University and Oxford Brookes to try to form a training group, with the aim of setting up a team.

The Inner Warrior session is between 6.45-8.30pm at North Hinksey.

Oxford are also running rugby activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities.

The sessions will be on September 23, October 7 and November 4 between 10.30am-12pm.

Email alanbarnett33@ntl world.com for more information.