CHINNOR’S title hopes suffered a huge blow when they fell to a 33-17 defeat at mid-table Clifton.
The visitors were unable to claim a losing bonus-point as Bishop’s Stortford moved ten points clear in National League 2 South.
Chinnor dominated the opening ten minutes, but a dropped pass led to a Clifton counter and Finlay Sharp crossed. James Newey converted to make it 7-0.
The home side doubled their lead when Nathan Hannay was sin-binned for the visitors and from the resulting penalty Alex Giltrow was driven over. Newey added the extras.
Chinnor were reduced to 13 as Tom Burns was yellow-carded, but they finished the half on the front foot, only for Clifton’s defence to hold firm.
The hosts made it 21-0 as Sam Harrison dived over and Newey converted.
Chinnor scored two quick tries through Jonny Bentley and Koree Britton.
But Clifton responded to make it 26-12, thanks to Malcolm Peacock’s try.
Chinnor hit back when Bentley went over and they piled on the pressure in search of two bonus-points.
They opted to run the ball after winning a penalty, but Clifton’s Will Pomphrey intercepted a pass to score.
Newey converted as Chinnor’s title hopes were severely dented.
Henley Hawks ran in seven tries when beating Worthing Raiders 47-24.
The visitors had a dream start, racing into a 26-0 lead after 23 minutes.
Tries from Tom Hall, Scott White, Alan Awcock and David Hyde secured the bonus point.
Raiders responded to reduce the deficit at half-time as Jon Whittall crossed.
Awcock’s second try and Joe Butler’s score made it 40-14, with Worthing’s Joe Watson-Brooks crossing in between.
Raiders’ Pete Cleveland was sin-binned and Henley took advantage with another try from White.
Worthing earned a bonus points, thanks to scores from Watson-Brooks and Finlay Coxon-Smith, but Hawks won comfortably.
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