NATIONAL 2 SOUTH
CHINNOR’S comeback proved in vain in a 36-28 home defeat to Southend.
The hosts recovered from 29-11 down to trail just 29-28, but were undone by a late try.
Southend fly half Bradley Burr and Chinnor centre Will Millett exchanged early penalties before the visitors scored the first of five tries.
Wing Sam Nash went over after a neat grubber kick through the rushing defence, with Burr converting.
Millett replied on the 13 minutes with a classy individual try.
Southend, with their pack beginning to dominate, went further ahead when prop Mike Guess crashed over, Burr converting for 17-8.
Millett’s penalty reduced the deficit, but another grubber kick saw Southend wing Chris Vaughan dotting down on 39 minutes.
Five minutes into the second half, Vaughan completed a try double, with Burr converting.
A Southend garryowen misfired when Chinnor centre Matt Goode blasted through to allow sidestepping wing Joe Marston to score, Millett converting for 29-18.
Chinnor scored again via prop Ian Stock from a rolling maul on 62 minutes and the same player struck for 29-28 with five minutes left.
But in their desperation to score, Chinnor conceded a scrum penalty five metres from their own line.
The Southend pack, dominant throughout, scored a push-over try through hooker Marcus Bloomburg and Burr’s conversion denied Chinnor a losing bonus point.
Chinnor have now lost six of their last eight matches and are ten points above the relegation zone, but the same margin off second place.
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