CHINNOR started the new year with a notable 31-24 victory over high-flying Cinderford.

Playing their first fixture since December 11 due to Covid, the festive break and a bye week, the Oxfordshire side left the Forest of Dean with a bonus-point win.

The victory helped Chinnor move up to sixth in National League 1, while they are nine points off second place with two games in hand.

The hosts dominated possession and territory in the first half, but Richard Thorpe’s side led 21-10 at the break thanks to tries from Kieran Goss, Fred Tuilagi and Oli Curry – James Bourton converting all three.

Cinderford hit back through Reece Boughton’s penalty and a Jamie Forrester try, however Josh Hodson dived over to extend Chinnor’s lead in the second period.

Both sides had a man sent to the sin-bin and the hosts set up a nervy finish as converted tries from George Angell and Clive Stuart-Smith cut the lead to two points with seven minutes to go.

However, any Chinnor nerves were put to rest when Nick Smith dived over to put the result beyond doubt.

In National 2 South, Henley Hawks played out their second draw in three games.

They tied 21-21 with Redruth at Dry Leas, despite going 14-0 up in the first quarter as Alex Harmes crossed twice, Monty Bradbury adding the extras.

Redruth’s Richard Brown decided to match his opponent, going over twice to make it 14-14 at the break.

Luke Hatton’s try put the visitors ahead after half-time, before a penalty try secured the draw for Hawks.

The top two in South West 1 East both won, Banbury Bulls triumphing 24-12 at Buckingham and Oxford Quins beating Newbury Blues 31-24.

Witney fell to a 32-27 defeat at Marlborough, with Grove losing 40-7 to Sherborne.

In Southern Counties North, Wallingford were beaten 19-18 by Reading Abbey, Bicester lost 19-8 to Reading and Gosford All Blacks went down 64-10 at Aylesbury.