CHINNOR suffered their first away defeat since October as they were edged out 22-19 by Sale in a bruising fixture.

Nick Selway’s 18th try of the season hauled the Oxfordshire side to within three points with ten minutes left on a churned-up pitch, but they could not make their late pressure count.

The visitors, who lost Josh McNulty, Jack Ramshaw and Ofisa Treviranus to injury, remain third in National League 1, but are now five points behind second-placed Rosslyn Park.

Bidding to make it eight games unbeaten on the road, Chinnor conceded in the second minute when Matthew Bradley dived over, Chris Johnson converting.

After a tough first 15 minutes, the visitors controlled the rest of the half with tries from James Tyas and Selway, Laurence May adding the extras, putting them 14-7 up at the break.

Two scores in five minutes from Patrick Ah Van and Johnson then saw Sale go 19-14 ahead, before Johnson added a penalty.

Selway’s unconverted try reduced the arrears, but they were unable to cross again.

In National League 2 South, Henley Hawks are still in the title hunt after a 46-20 home win over Esher.

Tom Emery crossed after good work from Alex Bradley, who added the extras.

The sides exchanged penalties either side of Reuben Norville’s individual effort to make it 15-3.

Will Janes crossed for Henley, Burrage adding the two points, before Esher scored a converted try.

Norville and Scott White touched down, Burrage converting one, to make it 34-10 at the break.

Xav Andre was sin-binned and Esher crossed, before Sam Lunnon went over.

The sides traded tries, David Hyde with a converted effort for Henley, to keep the hosts three points off the top.