CHINNOR were unable to pull off a heroic comeback as they were edged out 21-17 by Rams in a pulsating first Friday night National League 1 fixture at Kingsey Road.

The Oxfordshire side came close to securing a late victory over their Berkshire rivals, who had led 21-3 after 44 minutes in front of a 1,020-strong crowd.

The result leaves Chinnor 12 points adrift of National League 1 leaders Richmond.

Laurence May’s penalty put the home side 3-0 in front after seven minutes, but Ben Henderson crossed for Rams midway through the half, William Partington converting.

Rams extended their lead to 14-3 just before the break when Tom Vooght touched down, Partington adding the extras.

Vooght went over again after the restart, Partington converting, but the hosts dominated the rest of the game.

Captain Jason Worrall broke through a gap and outpaced the backline to dive over, May converting, to make it 21-10.

And they closed to within four points on 54 minutes when James Tyas drove over, May adding the extras.

Chinnor continued to push but, despite having a line-out five metres out in the last play, they could not seal victory.

Henley Hawks beat rivals Taunton Titans 33-27 in a thriller in National League 2 South.

The visitors kicked an early penalty but Henley roared back, Dave Hyde crashing over and Ewan Fenley converting.

A penalty try put the hosts 10-7 up, before scores from George Griffiths and George Wood, Fenley converting the latter, made it 19-10 at the break.

Samir Kharbouch touched down after the restart before Fenley joined the party, the scrum half converting both tries.

At 33-10, the hosts lost focus and Taunton fought back with three tries, one converted, but Henley held on.