CHINNOR were unable to start the new year with a victory as they lost 29-12 at Redruth in National League 2 South.

The defeat sees the Kingsey Road-based club remain third, but five points behind new leaders Old Elthamians.

Redruth were all but out of sight at half-time, scoring three converted tries to lead 21-0.

Lewis Vinnicombe, Alex Duckers and Shaun Buzza crossed, with Brett Rule adding the extras.

There was no let-up from the hosts after the break as Joel Matavesi wriggled over and Angus Taylor kicked a penalty to make it 29-0.

Chinnor salvaged some pride in the final 15 minutes, when Steve Castle and Luke Hibberd crossed.

Debutant Basil Strang converted the latter.

Liam O’Neill scored two tries as Henley Hawks beat local rivals Redingensians 17-12 at home.

A dominant first-half performance saw the hosts score 17 unanswered points, before fending off an attempted comeback from the visitors.

Centre O’Neill profited from a driving maul to score the first try.

Hawks were enjoying the majority of the territory, which paid off when Joe Butler exploited a gap and set up O’Neill for his second.

The home side’s forwards were dominating, and Redingensians hooker Ben Henderson was sin-binned.

It was soon 17-0, with Hawks awarded a penalty try – after a series of scrums – which George Jackson converted.

The second half turned out to be a more frustrating affair for the hosts and Jack Rossiter’s try got the Rams on the scoreboard.

Colin Thomson crossed and Jacob Atkins added the extras to make it 17-12 with 26 minutes to go.

Connor Hayhow was sin-binned for Hawks, but they held on to secure the win.