CHINNOR Director of Rugby Matt Williams believes there will be plenty more twists and turns as his side head into the Christmas break in the top six in the National League One.

Chinnor are just nine points behind leaders Rosslyn Park, who top the third tier of English rugby by virtue of fewer defeats over Richmond and Rams.

A seven-match unbeaten run, which included four straight home wins, had helped Chinnor close the gap to the frontrunners.

Although Richmond triumphed 21-5 at Kingsey Road on Saturday, Chinnor are still in the mix and Williams predicts there will be more drama to come.

He said: “We’ve just played 16 games in a row.

“We started the season sluggish and we finished the first half well.

“Yes, it’s disappointing that we lost to Richmond, but it’s one of 16 games. There’s still 14 to go and we’re still at the right end of the table.

“There will be much change between now and the end of the season as to who finishes in the top places.”

Chinnor had headed into the Richmond fixture in a confident mood after a 37-27 win over fellow challengers Darlington Mowden Park extended their unbeaten run.

But they were unable to end the decade with five successive home wins as the visitors came out on top.

Williams added: “The best team won. We were a little naïve and that’s something we haven’t shown in recent weeks.

“Their defence was well-drilled and we struggled to find penetration in the first half.

“We went back to basics in the second half, latched a lot of the ball carriers, got over the gain line, and created lots of space.

“I don’t know if the boys thought, because the scoreboard was past 80 minutes, the game was done, but we started making some crazy decisions when there was still time on the clock to put ourselves in the right position.

“But all credit goes to Richmond, they deserved the win, they were the better team.”

Chinnor return to action on January 4 when they make the trip up to Yorkshire to face Hull Ionians.

Their first home game of 2020 takes place on Friday, January 10 (7.45pm) as they take on Rams in a mouth-watering derby.