CHINNOR were involved in another pulsating encounter, but were edged out 29-27 by Cinderford.

A late Alex Frame penalty proved the difference at Kingsey Road.

However, Chinnor, who had led 22-5, could have won it with the last kick, only for Ben Palmer’s penalty attempt to drift wide.

Despite their first home defeat since October 6, the Thame-based side still moved up to fifth in National League 1 after picking up two bonus points.

Craig Holland’s solo try, Palmer converting, put Chinnor 7-0 ahead.

Oxford Mail:

  • Craig Holland dives over for Chinnor’s opening try Picture: Ric Mellis

But Cinderford replied immediately through Harry Hone’s unconverted score.

Chinnor hit back to lead 19-5 at the break, when Josh Hodson crossed twice, Palmer converting the second.

A Palmer penalty extended their advantage to 17 points after 44 minutes.

But George Evans’s try, Frame converting, triggered Cinderford’s comeback.

Hodson was then yellow-carded and the visitors were awarded a penalty try, before Reuben Norville’s score, Frame adding the extras, put them 26-22 in front.

There was more drama as Chinnor retook the lead on 72 minutes when Tom Burns crashed over but, crucially, the conversion was missed.

This allowed Cinderford to snatch victory thanks to the boot of Frame, but the hosts still had an opportunity with the last kick, only for Palmer’s penalty to go just wide.

Henley Hawks scored two late tries to resist Old Redcliffians’ comeback to triumph 42-31 at home.

The side’s first win of 2019 helped them climb to fourth and two points off National League 2 South’s play-off spot.

Hawks opened up a 14-0 lead, thanks to tries from George Wood and Leo Webb, Roddy Giles converting.

Oxford Mail:

  • Flanker Tom Hall celebrates his late try for Henley Hawks Picture: Steve Karpa

A penalty saw the visitors get on the scoreboard, before Henley opened up a 28-3 lead at the break.

Wood crossed for his second try and Sam Lunnon raced over, Giles adding the extras.

But Old Reds scored four tries in the space of 20 minutes to edge 31-28 in front after an hour.

However, Hawks dug deep and Lunnon crossed in the 67th minute before Tom Hall was driven over with five minutes to go, Giles converting, to earn victory.