National 2 South

ADRIAN Hales scored a try on his debut as Chinnor defeated 14-man Southend 22-5 at Kingsey Road.

Hales touched down as after a mazy run run having coming on as a second-half replacement, but poor handling in the wet conditions stopped Chinnior earning a bonus point.

Southend started strongly and took the lead with a fourth-minute pushover try from No 8 Samuel Cook.

Chinnor fly half James Cathcart replied with a penalty before his side wasted at least three try-scoring chances.

Wing Tom Gray eventually got on the end of a sweeping backs move to touch down in the corner on 19 minutes.

A fracas around the half-hour ended with referee Karl Kirkpatrick sending off Southend flanker Lee Guess.

Will Millett replaced the injured Cathcart at half-time and bashed his way through for a try on 58 minutes, full back Henry Colver converting.

Hales bagged try No 3 on 77 minutes, Millett converting, while Kirkpatrick ruled out a late fourth when Millett’s hack through crossed the line amid a flurry of diving players.

Henley Hawks now only top the table by points difference alone after a 17-11 defeat at Redruth.

Had replacement prop David Manning not scored a late try to secure a losing bonus-point, Hawks would have been supplanted by Hartpury College.

Henley have now lost two of their last three matches, with just four points separating the division’s top-four sides.

Fly half James Comben kicked Hawks ahead with a third-minute penalty, but they trailed 17-3 at half-time.

Redruth bagged a penalty try and a score from hooker Richard Brown, with fly half Paul Thirlby converting both and adding a penalty.

Hawks found it hard going in the wet conditions, but managed a second Comben penalty.

Wing Xavier Andre was sin-binned for a high tackle on Redruth full back Murray Westren.

But Manning’s 76th-minute try ensured Henley at least went away with something.