CHINNOR’S dream start to their National League 1 continued with a hard-earned 38-33 victory at home to Ampthill.

The hosts, who led 38-18 after two tries from Craig Holland, had to resist a strong comeback from their opponents before sealing their second win in two matches.

The visitors struck first with Sam Hanks’s try, converted by James Pritchard.

Chinnor replied when Bertie Hopkin kicked wide into the arms of Craig Holland, who offloaded for Alex Dancer to touch down for an unconverted try.

Two minutes later after some great handling Joe Dancer set up Holland to score the hosts’ second try, converted by Hopkin.

Kevin Barrett answered Ampthill with an neat try converted by Josh Sharp to take a 14-12 lead.

Followed a series of strong drives, Holland again crashed over for a try, before Chinnor were awarded a penalty try on the stroke of half-time, when they led 24-14

The hosts extended their lead, when they scored their fifth try through Joe Dancer, with Hopkin adding the

extras.

Ampthill responded and Matt Collins went over but Chinnor had a sixth try when Reon Joseph picked up on a loose ball and crashed over to make it 38-19.

Ampthill pushed hard in the last ten minutes, conjuring up two further tries through Sam Baker and Barrett’s second but they had left themselves too much to do and Chinnor saw out a second successive victory.

Henley Hawks secured their second bonus point victory when they edged home 26-24 at home to Barnes in National 2 South.

The hosts held a comfortable 14-3 lead at

half-time, thanks to tries from Dave Manning and Sam Portland, both converted by Joe Butler.

Brad Cook extended this advantage to 19-3, before Barnes hit back with a converted try.

Lewis Webb scored Hawks’ fourth try, converted by Butler to make it 26-10.

However, the Londoners made it a nail-biting finish with two late converted scores.