Chinnor take the spoils in top of the table clash

Two 100 per cent records were put on the line in National Two South over the weekend as the Old Elthamians travelled to Chinnor and it was Matt Williams’ men that made it 10 wins from 10.

Chinnor came out on top in this enthralling battle to move them six points clear at the top of the league and maintain their perfect start to the season while the OE’s are now looking over their shoulder as Bishops Stortford continued their impressive recent form.

At the other end of the division, Barnstaple produced an excellent comeback to snatch a draw away at Barnes while Henley Hawks’ troubles worsened as they dropped into the relegation zone.

Elsewhere, the Redingensians and Clifton stretched their unbeaten records, Canterbury stunned Redruth and Bury St Edmunds stopped the rot.

Chinnor 40-22 Old Elthamians

Chinnor prevailed in this early top of the table clash as they moved clear at the summit of National Two South following victory over the Old Elthamians.

Helped by scores from Junior Fatialofa, CJ Osazuma, Nathan Hannay and a Penalty Try, the hosts led 26-12 after a pulsating first 40 minutes of rugby which also saw James Golledge and Jay Rudland-Thomas go over for the OE’s.

It was first blood to Chinnor from the restart as the highly rated Danny Barnes dotted down to extend the home sides’ lead.

A second score for Golledge was quickly cancelled out by the hosts as Bevon Armitage went over to put the game out of reach for the OE’s and ultimately seal the win for Chinnor.

This victory now leaves Chinnor six points clear at the top of National Two South while the Old Elthamians’ unbeaten and perfect start to the season came to an end in Oxfordshire.

London Irish Wild Geese 31-36 Bishops Stortford

Bishops Stortford are now level on points with the Old Elthamians as they came from behind to clinch a hard fought victory over the London Irish Wild Geese.

Tries from Dan Grant-Anderson (2) and George Owen gave Wild Geese a 24-14 lead at the break.

Tom Coleman and George Cullen went over for Stortford in the first-half and Tom Banks added a third on 55 minutes.

Stephen Ball and Rory Banks touched down to put Stortford ahead for the first time heading into the final seven minutes of this excellent contest before a late try from Owen earned two well deserved bonus points for the hosts.

Taunton Titans 59-19 Worthing Raiders

Taunton Titans produced the perfect response to their damaging defeat against Bishops Stortford last weekend with a try heavy victory over an injury-hit Worthing Raiders.

The Titans headed into this clash on the back of two straight defeats and they were also searching for their first home win since the end of September, but Andy Yapp’s men looked back to their best at Hyde Park in Round 10.

Aron Struminski, Samuel Prior and Dan Frost all crossed within 19 first-half minutes to give Taunton a 19-5 half-time lead.

The hosts were then ruthless after the break as Tomas Rhodes and Richard Bright scored quick-fire tries to leave Worthing adrift.

The visitors then responded as Finaly Coxon-Smith added to his first-half score to give the travelling Worthing supporters something to cheer about, but that was short-lived as Taunton continued to move through the gears.

Struminski added his second before replacement Lewis Pratten got in on the act as he crossed for Taunton’s seventh try of the afternoon.

Matthew McLean scored another consolation try for Worthing just after the hour, but once again Taunton retaliated and dotted down twice more through Struminski and Pratten to seal a much needed and well deserved win.

Redruth 26-34 Canterbury

Redruth’s 100 per cent home record this season came to a halt as Canterbury came away from the Recreation Ground with all the spoils following this excellent win.

Aiden Moss, Tyler Edwards and Guy Hilton all touched down as the City Men took a 24-12 lead into half-time in Cornwall.

Redruth’s points came via tries from Sean Buzza and Lewis Vinnicombe and the Reds responded after the break as Buzza completed his hat-trick to make it 26-24 to the visitors.

However, two tries in the final 10 minutes from Martyn Beaumont and Tom Best ended Redruth’s perfect record on home soil while Canterbury have now won their last two matches.

Redingensians 41-22 Cinderford

Connor Corrigan scored two tries as the Redingensians defeated Cinderford to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.

The Rams went into half-time with a 27-7 lead thanks to two scores from Corrigan as well a try from Jacob Atkins, with Harrison Yorke responding for a Cinderford side that have a huge injury list at present.

Yorke added his second shortly after the break, but the home side regained control moments later as Jak Rossiter dived over for the Redingensians’ bonus point.

Ross Crame wrapped up the win on 77 minutes for the hosts before Matty Lane scored a consolation try for Cinderford who are now without a win in three.

Henley Hawks 13-23 Clifton

Clifton made it four wins on the spin as their superb second-half performance was enough to earn victory away at Henley Hawks.

Tom Parton and Brad Barnes exchanged penalties in a first-half which Clifton seemed to have the upper hand in and the visitors then made their pressure count in the first 20 minutes of the second period.

Danny Wells got the first ty of the afternoon for Clifton against his former club before Brain Watters dotted down to give the South Gloucestershire side a 17-3 lead.

Henley raised their game just after the hour and were rewarded for their endeavour when Tom Emery crossed the white-wash.

The Hawks then struck over a penalty to make it 17-13, but Clifton produced a spirited end to this contest as Barnes nudged over two penalties to seal the win.

Exmouth 26-29 Bury St Edmunds

Bury St Edmunds halted a run of four straight defeats as they came away from Exmouth with this narrow victory following a stirring display.

Bury led 15-7 at the break following tries from Chris Snelling and Scott Lyle as well as two conversions and a penalty from Lyle, with a Milo Reynolds providing Exmouth’s response.

Ben Enoka’s try extended the lead but a second score from Reynolds along with a touchdown via Lloyd Watkins made it 22-19.

Matt Selby and Ben Turner were both yellow-carded for the visitors meaning they were down to 13 men for the final 10 minutes of this match.

However, this didn’t hold them back as they stunned Exmouth by scoring their fourth try of the afternoon when Shaq Meyers raced under the posts on 72 minutes.

Exmouth then retaliated as Matt Harris scrambled over with three minutes on the clock remaining, but somehow Bury held on for the win to secure a much needed victory for the Wolfpack.

Barnes 24-24 Barnstaple

Barnstaple produced a brilliant comeback to claim a draw against Barnes at Queen Elizabeth Walk.

Leading 24-3, the hosts saw their lead slip away in the final 19 minutes of this contest following scores from Linford Brock and Will Topps as well as a Penalty Try.

Barnes had stretched their lead just after the break when Frasier Carlisle went over, but what had looked like a comfortable margin thanks to first-half scores from Alex Crane and Gareth Williams-Davies, disappeared in the last quarter of this match.