CHINNOR returned to the top of National League 1 on points difference despite a 13-6 defeat at home to Bishops Stortford.

With other teams around them also failing to secure victory, only six points separate the top 13 teams.

Despite suffering their second reverse of the season, Chinnor picked up a losing bonus point in an error-strewn game.

Two Caolan Ryan penalties saw the home side lead 6-0 at half-time.

But Stortford went ahead on 42 minutes when a scrum resulted in a penalty try and yellow card for Chinnor’s Jack Gilding.

Trailing 7-6, the home side piled on the pressure, but were unable to break through.

Two penalties from Manu Vunipola saw Stortford extend their lead to seven points and the visitors continued to defend superbly to secure victory at Kingsey Road.

Henley Hawks beat Dings Crusaders 20-15 at home in National League 2 South.

A Roddy Giles penalty put the hosts in front early on.

And they extended their lead to 10-0 when David Hyde crashed over, Giles converting.

Despite Huw Wilkes being in the sin-bin for Crusaders, they reduced the arrears to seven points at the break, thanks to a Steven Plummer penalty.

Dave Manning’s try, converted by Giles saw Henley open up a 17-3 lead.

But the visitors hit back when Will Capon drove over.

A Giles penalty nudged Hawks 20-8 ahead, meaning Jordan Gratton’s late try, converted by Plummer, only secured Crusaders a losing bonus point.