NATIONAL 2 SOUTH

REUBEN Haile scored four tries as Chinnor bounced back to beat Southend Saxons 44-21 at Kingsey Road.

The wing was in prolific form, taking his season’s tally to 11, and helping Chinnor end a run of four successive narrow defeats.

For the first time this campaign, the hosts started well and led 30-7 by half-time.

Haile grabbed the first of his tries on seven minutes, with fly half Ed Keohane adding a penalty.

Latest Sport news

However, several strong Southend scrums earned them a penalty try, converted by full back Tom Ashton.

Keohane slotted a second penalty before superb play from centre Junior Fatialofa created tries for scrum half Frank Jones and Haile.

Haile completed his hat-trick on 37 minutes, with Keohane converting this as well as his second score.

Southend replied with a try from lock Harry Hudson, converted by Ashton, but Haile’s fourth, with Keohane adding the extras, made it 37-14.

Wing Mark Billings went over for a third Southend score, converted by Ashton, before Chinnor centre Jack Hayes ran in try No 6, Keohane converting.

Top dogs Henley Hawks increased their lead to five points after hammering Cambridge 37-0 at Dry Leas, with second-placed Taunton losing 34-20 to Bishops Stortford.

Fly half Will Robinson kicked Henley ahead with a 15th minute penalty.

Robinson then converted a well-taken solo try from centre Ed Yarnton and added a penalty.

No 8 Oscar Hirskyj-Douglas caught the Cambridge defence napping to run in a try from a scrum near halfway, Robinson converting for 20-0.

Hawks picked up where they left off in the second half, with flanker Matt Payne finishing off a drive for try No 3.

Cambridge could not prevent prop Dave Manning crashing over for Henley’s fourth try, which Robinson converted.

Centre Simon Perry completed Hawks’ tally, with Robinson converting, although replacement Robbie Stapley went close to No 6 at the end.

Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.