CHINNOR suffered a setback in their National League 1 promotion push without playing a match.

On a weekend when clubs up and down the pyramid used up their games in hand, the Thame-based side dropped to fourth in the third tier thanks to Rams’ narrow 40-38 triumph over Cinderford.

Chinnor remain 12 points behind leaders Richmond, with five matches left this season.

Henley Hawks also fell to fourth as the fascinating National League 2 South title race grew even closer.

Luke Allen’s men also had a free weekend, but were leapfrogged by Redruth after they ran out 31-15 winners at Leicester Lions.

Elsewhere, Grove were knocked off the top of Southern Counties South by Frome, who beat Walcot 35-5.

But the Oxfordshire side are just two points behind their rivals with two games in hand, so the title remains in their hands.

Abingdon’s trip to Hungerford was the only contest in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier and the away side were rewarded with a 27-0 victory.

Although the visitors are too far adrift to mount a title challenge, the win strengthened their grip on fourth place.

Oxford remain bottom of the table after their visit to Slough did not go ahead, with the home side awarded a walkover.