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.