Hartpury vs Chinnor: Match Preview

After a week off, the 2026/27 Elior Champ Rugby season burst back into life last weekend with more last-minute drama and close-scoring excitement. Yet one of last season’s playoff contenders continued its difficult start, suffering a fifth consecutive loss. 

Hartpury enter week seven rooted to the bottom of the table, searching for only their second win of the season. But in their way stands Chinnor, who have enjoyed a solid start to the campaign and currently sit in playoff contention. Can Hartpury return to the form that saw them qualify for the playoff quarter-finals last season, or will Chinnor continue their own playoff push?

Ahead of the game live on BLAZE on Sunday 8th November, we take a look at how both clubs fared in week six, and some of the players who could decide the outcome. 

Week 6 recap

Since their narrow opening week victory over Caldy, Hartpury’s 2026-27 season has proven to be something of a struggle so far. Over previous weeks, they’ve suffered defeats to Doncaster, Ampthill and Worcester, but the nadir came with a lopsided 71-7 loss to the Ealing Trailfinders in week four. 

Fortunately, their game against the in-form Bedford Blues was more competitive, but they still fell short in a 45-21 loss on the road. 

The first half was a nip-and-tuck affair, with both sides trading blows. Bedford took an early lead courtesy of consecutive scores from Ben Dufficy and Craig Wright, before Hartpury gave their supporters something to cheer as Charlie Powell and Harry Short cancelled out the deficit. 

Last season’s leading point scorer, Harry Bazalgette, would then give Hartpury a two-point lead with halftime approaching, before Bedford’s Dean Adamson scored to reclaim the lead for the home side. 

From there on, it was Bedford all the way as they demonstrated the form that has seen them charge up the league table in recent weeks. It was their third successive bonus-point victory. 

Meanwhile, Chinnor bounced back from their week five defeat to the Cornish Pirates in a closely fought contest against Nottingham. 

Harry Dugmore’s early score gave Chinnor the lead in the first ten minutes of play, before a quick-fire reply from Matty Ward levelled proceedings. 

That set the tone for the rest of the back-and-forth game, with both sides crossing the line three times. It would be Liam Richman who proved to be the difference maker for Chinnor though, with his accuracy from the tee seeing the fly-half convert on all three occasions, earning the home side a gutsy 21-17 victory. 

The result saw the Villagers climb up to fifth in the league table with four victories and two defeats to their record as they make the trip to Gloucestershire this weekend. 

Players to watch

Harry Bazalgette – Hartpury

Hartpury’s season is off to a tough start, but there are still several players on their roster that are perfectly capable of causing an upset against Chinnor. Look to the club’s talisman, Harry Bazalgette, to be in the thick of the action. 

Even as the losses have mounted up, the fly-half has continued to demonstrate his star quality by being a regular fixture on the score sheets. Bazalgette’s prowess at the tee is matched by few others in the Prem, and so far this season he’s kicked for 1,331 metres. 

If Hartpury can hold Chinnor close, don’t be surprised if it’s Bazalgette who steps up in the clutch moments and gets them back in the win column.

Alun Walker – Chinnor 

He’s the player who loves to be hated by Chinnor’s rivals, and this season Alun Walker is proving why he’s such a scoring threat when the ball is in his hands. Even after more than a decade in the league, he’s showing no signs of slowing down, and enters this weekend as the league-leading try scorer with nine to his name. Hartpury face a daunting task if they are to prevent him from increasing his tally further.

But keep an eye out too for Liam Richman. The fly-half was instrumental in sealing Chinnor’s victory last time against Nottingham, kicking a perfect 3-for-3 conversions. Should this game be as close as that one, Richman’s accuracy could be needed to secure the win again.

Catch the action live and exclusively on BLAZE

Can Hartpury spring a surprise and start their fight back from the bottom of the table? Or will Chinnor continue to demonstrate why they’re already being considered a dark horse for this year’s playoffs? Find out by tuning in to BLAZE on Sunday 8th November for an earlier kick off at 1pm for another unmissable game of Champ Rugby.

Want more Elior Champ Rugby? BLAZE is the place to be, with live coverage continuing across the next three weeks from Sunday 8th November. Catch the action live on BLAZE, free on Freeview 64, Sky 156, Sky Glass/Sky Stream 169, Freesat 161 and Virgin 174, or stream via the free BLAZE app.