CHINNOR’S unbeaten start to life in National League 1 came to an end in a 27-24 defeat at home to Caldy.

The Thame-based side had led 17-3 before they were forced to settle for two bonus points as the visitors fought back.

Chinnor opened up a 10-0 lead, thanks to tries from Tom Ranaboldo and Kieran Goss.

A Benjamin Jones penalty got Caldy up and running.

But Tom Burns’s try, converted by Craig Holland, put the hosts 17-3 in front.

The visitors hit back to trail by two points when Thomas Saunders and Robert O’Donnell crossed, Jones converting the first.

But the game hinged on the final five minutes of the half when Caldy gained two turnovers on their own line when they were down to 14 men.

Jack Gilding was sin-binned for Chinnor after the break and pressure from the visitors resulted in a penalty try to make it 22-17.

The hosts showed spirit and Ben Manning went over, Holland adding the extras, to give them a two-point lead on 71 minutes.

But Caldy hit back and Josiah Dickinson drove over to make it 27-24 with five minutes to go.

Chinnor pressed and won a penalty under the posts, opting not to kick for a draw they threw everything at their visitors, who managed to hold on.

Henley Hawks lost 19-14 at home to Tonbridge Juddians in National League 2 South.

Murray Galbraith-Lowe’s try, converted by Will Robinson, who had earlier kicked two penalties, helped the visitors open up a 13-0 lead.

Hawks’ Rory Mason was then yellow-carded and another Robinson penalty increased Tonbridge’s lead.

But the visitors were also reduced to 14 and a penalty try saw Henley reduce the arrears to nine points at half-time.

Robinson’s fourth penalty put Tonbridge 19-7 in front.

Hawks were given hope when Alex Bradley crashed over, Roddy Giles converting.

But Tonbridge dug in and the hosts nearly lost their bonus point as a late Robinson penalty hit a post.