CHINNOR’S flawless start to the season was ended by the boot of Tom Best, who inspired a 16-12 victory for hosts Canterbury.

The fly half kicked two penalties and a drop goal to see the Kent club come from behind to deny leaders Chinnor an 11th successive win in National League 2 South.

And their cushion was trimmed from six points to two, with Bishop’s Stortford winning 27-17 at home to Henley Hawks.

The key for Chinnor was a failure to capitalise on having the conditions in their favour before the break.

Playing down the slope and with the wind at their backs was a significant advantage, but they only took a five-point lead into half-time.

Chinnor scored two well-worked tries, both set up by forward power which forced penalties.

Driving hard at Canterbury in the right-hand corner a catch and drive sucked in defenders before a blindside overlap saw Bertie Hopkin to dive over.

The fly half missed the conversion, but was on target after half an hour, when he added the extras to a try from No 8 Tom Burns.

Crucially Canterbury responded on the stroke of half-time, Best converting Martyn Beaumont’s try, which ensured they only trailed 12-7.

A tight contest after the break was decided in the final 20 minutes, when pressure from the home side saw Burns yellow-carded.

Best kicked the penalty and a minute later inched Canterbury in front with a drop goal which crept over the bar.

Referee Alexis Manley was then accidentally knocked out, but was fit enough to finish the game.

Chinnor pushed hard without success, only for Best to strike a late penalty which confirmed a first defeat of the season.

Henley were in a position to do Chinnor a favour, but despite being the better side for much of the opening 60 minutes, they came away from Bishop’s Stortford empty-handed.

The visitors led 12-10 at the break, even with the handicap of allowing high-flying Stortford a try for Ryan Hutler with their first attack.

Tom Banks converted and added a penalty, but Hawks then gained control.

Tom Emery’s try got them on the board and it was followed by a score for Tom Hall.

George Jackson, who had an indifferent day with the boot, converted the latter.

Tom Parton extended the lead after the break, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.

Seb Brownhill’s try got Stortford back in the game before Declan Caulfield’s late double, the first of which was converted by Banks, took them clear.

It also denied Henley, who lost David Hyde to a shoulder injury, a deserved bonus point.