CHINNOR were cruelly denied victory in the last play as they suffered a 27-21 defeat at Rams.

The Oxfordshire side led by six points with five minutes to go, but they were unable to hold on in a pulsating National League 1 contest.

Despite seeing Carl Kirwan yellow-carded, Chinnor took a 7-0 lead on 25 minutes when Jason Worrall crossed, Laurence May converting.

An Alex Seers penalty got Rams on the scoreboard, but the visitors headed into the break 14-3 ahead when Kieran Goss sent Chris Elder racing over, May adding the extras.

Rams made a lightning start to the second period to go 15-14 in front, thanks to tries from Conor Corrigan and Henry Bird, Seers converting the first.

Chinnor responded well to retake the lead on 60 minutes when Elder sprinted over. May converted to make it 21-15.

Rams were not finished, though, and the visitors were reduced to 13 men when Shek Sheriff and Cameron Gray were sin-binned for separate offences in a nervy climax.

Rams took advantage and Robbie Stapley was driven over and although Seers missed the conversion, the hosts went straight back on the attack.

Bird crossed with 80 minutes on the clock, Seers adding the extras, as the visitors were left with just a losing bonus point.

Henley Hawks suffered their first defeat of the National 2 South Season as they lost 25-17 at Taunton to slip off top spot.

The Oxfordshire side trailed 15-0 at the break, but were a different side in the second half and sensationally led.

Sam Lunnon and Reuben Norvill scored two of their three tries and Ben Bolster added a conversion as Henley eyed a memorable victory.

But Taunton regained the lead with an unconverted try, before a late penalty sealed the points.