Top three faultless as winning runs roll on

Taunton, Chinnor and the Old Elthamians all picked up victories in Round Five in National Two South meaning the top three sides in the division remain unbeaten.

All three have won their first five matches and are being closely hunted down by Redruth who picked up further momentum thanks to a victory against Exmouth.

Elsewhere, Barnes’ losing streak came to an end as they clinched their first victory of the season thanks to a home win over Henley Hawks while Barnstaple created history by winning their first ever game at this level.

Cinderford 29-34 Taunton Titans

Taunton Titans made it five wins from five to begin the National Two South season as they overcame a tough test away at Cinderford.

The visitors opened up a 20-10 half-time lead with tries from Richard Bright and Jake Caulfield.

Bright grabbed his second just after the restart before George Evans dotted down for Cinderford to keep his side in touch with Taunton.

However, with 10 points in the game it was the Titans who were next to score as Dan Frost dived over for a 34-17 lead.

But Cinderford salvaged bonus points thanks to an Alex Frame score and a Penalty Try.

Redingensians 17-32 Chinnor

Chinnor maintained their winning start to the season as they secured their fifth win in a row thanks to this victory over the Redingensians,

The Black and Whites remain second in the table courtesy of this victory and stay on the coattails of league leaders Taunton Titans as a result of this bonus-point triumph.

Matt Williams’ side scored five tries through Kieran Goss, Danny Barnes (2), Bevon Armitage and George Messum.

Jacob Akins kicked a penalty and two conversions for the Redingensians who were 20-10 down at half-time in this contest while Dan Sanders and Robbie Stapley both crossed for the Rams.

Old Elthamians 37-17 Worthing Raiders

The Old Elthamians also continued their perfect start to the campaign as they picked up maximum points at home to Worthing Raiders.

The OE’s were 13-10 ahead at half-time after Jay Rudland-Thomas crossed for the hosts and Liam Perkins scored for the Raiders.

Perkins touched down once again after the break for Worthing, but the game was then put beyond their reach as the OE’s produced some blistering rugby.

Replacement Sam Waltier scored the OEs’ second try of the day, before Harry Ledger strolled into the corner to put the home side in a commanding position. James Golledge then added the OE’s fourth a final score of the afternoon as they brushed Worthing aside to stay third in the table.

Exmouth 17-60 Redruth

Redruth made it back to back wins in emphatic style as they comprehensively beat newly-promoted Exmouth at The Imperial Recreation Ground.

A hat-trick from Lewis Vinnicombe and tries from Matt Gidlow and Todd Prisk gave the Reds a 33-7 half-time lead.

Alex Ducker extended Redruth’s score after the break before indiscipline cost the visitors. Tommy Phillips and Declan Matthews both crossed after Dan Powell was sin-binned for Exmouth.

Ducker got his second score heading into the final 10 minutes of the match before Barrie John-Chapman ran in try number 10 for Redruth to put the icing on the cake.

Harvey Ridgeway and Henry Goldson got consolations tries for Exmouth who travel to second placed Chinnor this coming Saturday.

Canterbury 38-34 Bishops Stortford

Canterbury scrum-half Dan Smart scored a hat-trick to help Canterbury to a thrilling win over Bishops Stortford.

An early try from Stortford’s George Cullen began the scoring for the afternoon, and the fly-half grabbed his second just before the interval to make it 20-13 to the visitors at the break.

Smart’s first score came moments after the restart to keep Canterbury in touch, but Stortford quickly restored their lead as Will Simmonds dived under the posts.

However, the second try from Smart brought the City Men to within a point of their visitors before his third gave them the lead following some excellent work from the Best brothers – Ollie and Tom.

It continued to get better for Canterbury as Guy Hilton crossed heading into the final 10 minutes before the accurate Martyn Beaumont made it 38-29 to the hosts.

Rory Banks set-up a grandstand finish when he crossed for Stortford late on, but Canterbury held firm for the narrow victory.

Bury St Edmunds 39-15 London Irish Wild Geese

Bury St Edmunds maintained their unbeaten home record after Sam Bixby inspired a victory over London Irish Wild Geese.

The flanked bagged a first-half hat-trick to help his side to the win as Bury blew Wild Geese away in the opening period.

Tom Rock also touched down for the dominant hosts before the break while Sean Stapleton scored in the second 40 for Bury.

Andrew Evans and Seb Rodwell dotted down for Wild Geese while Ben Kitching kicked a penalty and a conversion.

Barnes 36-14 Henley Hawks

Barnes picked up their first win of the season on Saturday as they beat Henley Hawks at home thanks to an excellent second half performance.

The visitors took an early lead through a Dave Hyde try before Matthew Steele dotted down for Barnes to level up the scores at 7-7, which is how it stayed heading into the second-half.

But Barnes went in front via Oli Foster and Robbie Martey tries and a penalty from Tom O’Toole.

George Jackson got one back for Henley just before the hour, but a further score from James Hersey saw the hosts stretch away for their maiden victory of the campaign.

Barnstaple 24-22 Clifton

Barnstaple claimed their first ever victory at National Two South level after edging this tight encounter against Clifton.

After Linford Brock cancelled out an early Penalty Try and a penalty from Brad Barnes, a Penalty Try for Barnstaple put the home side 14-10 up.

Clifton were looking to hit back before the break but Barnstaple’s defence held firm as they carried that slim lead into half-time.

Jordan Petherbridge nudged Barnstaple further head, before Clifton brought the game level on the 52^nd minute as referee Daniel Parrott awarded the visitors another Penalty Try.

Barnstaple them went ahead again as Ben Hilton dotted down for a converted try but Clifton set-up a nail-biting finish. Alex Giltrow scored from a line-out drive eight minutes from time, but Barnes’ conversion was off target.

Barum had to remain strong in the closing stages of the second half and they did just that to clinch a precious first victory.