Stortford star at Christmas

Bishop’s Stortford began Round 16 level on points with Chinnor, but their league rivals could only manage a draw in their final fixture before Christmas while Bishops claimed a bonus-point win which put them top of the tree.

Chinnor had won their first 10 matches, but they now lie third in the table having won just two of their last six games and Stortford have taken full advantage of their wobble.

Stortford have won 13 of their 16 fixtures this term which is their best ever start to a National Two South season and their recent run of 10 wins in their last 11 games has seen them surge to the summit.

Second placed the Old Elthamians have just tried to stay focused on their job and they moved back into the top two on the weekend after an excellent win over an in-form Canterbury side.

Down at the bottom of this division, Exmouth will certainly need 2017 to be a much stronger year. The Devonshire side currently lie at the foot of the table and 12 points from safety following their defeat to Taunton Titians while Barnes picked up what could be a pivotal victory against Worthing Raiders.

Bury St Edmunds 16-33 Bishop’s Stortford

Bishop’s Stortford blew away Bury St Edmunds with a stylish first-half display to move to the top of National Two South.

Stortford went into the break 21-6 ahead in this contest thanks to tries from Tom Coleman and Will Simonds while Tom Banks slotted over 11 points.

Bury’s six points had come via the boot of Scott Lyle and he opened the scoring in the second period with another penalty.

But Stortford continued to be in a rampant mood as replacement Pier Dotta as well as the impressive Banks both crashed over to seal Stortford 10^th win from their last 11 matches.

Sean Stapleton crossed for a consolation try late on for a battling Bury side, but it Christmas joy for Stortford who are now top of the pile.

Old Elthamians 18-14 Canterbury

The Old Elthamians survived a late fightback against Canterbury to secure a win which takes them up to second in the National Two South table.

The OEs, who have now won 14 of their 16 matches this season, were 13-0 ahead at half-time thanks to a Ben Hough try and penalties from Tom White and Chris Surman.

Max Wilkins got the home side off to a flyer at the start of the second period as he barged his way over to extend the OEs’ advantage.

But then Canterbury sparked into life. Heading into this game, they had won seven straight matches and a close range try seven minutes into the second half clicked them into gear.

They were the better side for the next 25 minutes and were rewarded for their pressure when Guy Hilton dived over in the corner to set-up a tense finish.

However, the OEs did enough to keep Canterbury out and seal what could be a crucial victory come the end of the season.

Chinnor 29-29 Henley Hawks

Chinnor have now dropped to third in the National Two South standings as Sam Angell’s late try rescued a draw against Henley Hawks at Kingsey Road

Angell could have won the game for the hosts with a difficult conversion, but it went wide.

Simon Perry and Liam O’Neil’s tries as well as a brace from Tom Emery and a Penalty Try had given Henley hope of a second away win of the season.

But Chinnor – who had led 24-17 thanks to tries from Kieron Goss, Alex Bradley and Nathan Hannay – fought back in the final 10 minutes of this encounter and snatched a share of the spoils thanks to Angell’s last-gasp score.

Exmouth 15-40 Taunton Titans

Taunton Titans ended 2016 on a very positive note with a bonus-point win over Exmouth in Devon.

George Meadows landed a penalty early on for Exmouth but tries from Conor Harbison, Ratu Vakalutukali and Nick Mason (2) established a 28-3 lead for the Titans at the break.

Exmouth rallied after the restart and produced arguably some of their most impressive rugby of the season as Harvey Ridgeway and Ollie Rice both crossed to give the hosts a lifeline in this contest

However, Vakalutukali rounded off a superb 80-metre break by Taunton to give his side some much needed breathing space before a final try of the afternoon for  he visitors wrapped up their third win on the spin.

Barnstaple 15-46 Redruth

Redruth returned to winning ways in National Two South with a comfortable bonus-point victory over Barnstaple at Pottingham Road.

The visitors were 41-0 ahead before Ashlee Crouch went over in response for Barnstaple.

The impressive Alex Ducker scored four tries for the Reds while Tommy Phillips, Ben Fox and Luke Hattam went over as the away side cruised to their first win in December.

Matt Gohl and Mark Berry also crossed for the home side in the second period, but they were simply blown away by a dominant Redruth display.

Redingensians 39-24 London Irish Wild Geese

The Redingensians secured back to back victories as they defeated the London Irish Wild Geese at Old Bath Road.

The Rams’ victory was their second in as many weeks, but they were made to work hard for their eighth win of the campaign against a valiant Wild Geese outfit.

Greg Illingworth Spike Chandler, Robbie Stapley and Jak Rossiter (2) went over for the hosts while Harry Rowland, George Owen and Matt Killeen touched down for the visitors.

Cinderford 35-17 Clifton

Wing Sam Goatley scored two tries as Cinderford claimed a bonus-point win over Gloucestershire rivals Clifton.

Goatley grabbed his brace early in the first-half while James Moffat kicked four penalties in the opening 40 minutes.

Finlay Sharp had crossed for Clifton towards the end of the first period, but the hosts continued to go through the gears after the interval as Reuben Norville and Aaron Ryan both went over.

Jordan Kelly and Ian Clark claimed Clifton’s consolation tries.

Barnes 20-8 Worthing Raiders

Winger Fraser Carlisle produced an excellent second-half performance for Barnes as his two tries helped overcome Worthing Raiders to secure only their third win of the campaign.

Carlisle capitalised on Worthing mistakes for a try shortly after the interval before gliding through the Raiders defence to ultimately seal a much needed victory for Barnes.

Barnes’ only previous triumphs had come in October, but this latest win leaves them just a point adrift of safety.

A Rob Smith try and a Matt McLean penalty had given Worthing an 8-5 lead by the break with Ed Alteriac touching down for Barnes.

But Carlisle’s brace plus a penalty from Tom O’Toole turned the game around for Barnes.