MIKE MacDonald scored a hat-trick of tries as Chinnor maintained their stranglehold on National League 2 South’s play-off spot when convincingly beating Barnstaple 41-12 at Kingsey Road.

Josh Barton, Orisi Nawaqaliva, Alex Dancer and George Oliver also crossed on a cold, windy afternoon in Thame.

A wayward Barnstaple kick led to Chinnor’s opening try as it was fielded by Kieran Goss, who made a break to put MacDonald over for an unconverted score.

The home side were dominating in the scrum and Ben Hilton was yellow carded for the visitors.

Chinnor took full control with MacDonald going over for his second try and Barton also crossing to make it 15-0.

Barnstaple replied when William Topps dived over and Jacob Murphy converted.

But Chinnor claimed the four-try bonus point on the brink of half-time as Nawaqaliva crossed.

The visitors dominated the start of the second period.

However, Chinnor made better use of the conditions with further tries from Dancer, MacDonald and Oliver.

Jonny Bentley (2) and Bertie Hopkin added the extras.

Alfie Pennyfield scored a fine try for Barnstaple, but Chinnor had already put the result beyond doubt.

Henley Hawks’s clash at home to Taunton Titans was postponed.