CHINNOR put in a brilliant defensive display when beating third-placed Taunton Titans 13-7 away from home.

The National League 2 South front-runners saw their lead cut to one point after Cinderford earned a bonus-point victory over Redruth.

But Chinnor showed further evidence of their strong title challenge in beating a testing Taunton side.

The Thame-based club opened the scoring after just two minutes when Phil Chesters gathered a Jonny Bentley kick to go over for an unconverted try.

Taunton dominated possession, but a Bentley penalty extended Chinnor’s lead.

The hosts continued to put pressure on their visitors, however they were unable to break through.

Jamel Hamilton crossed for an unconverted try at the start of the second half to make it 13-0 to Chinnor.

Taunton threw everything at their visitors and found a way through with ten minutes to go when Kenny James went over, Toby East converting.

It set up a nervy finish, but Chinnor held strong to secure victory.

Henley Hawks beat Clifton 30-20 at home.

The sides exchanged tries in the opening two minutes.

Henley’s Brad Cook cancelled out Chris Levesley’s score for Clifton.

George Jackson and Danny Wells converted the tries and also traded penalties to make it 10-10.

Charles Hubert crossed for the visitors, Wells, who kicked another penalty, converting.

But Clifton were temporarily reduced to 14 men as Andy Chesters was sin-binned and a Jackson penalty reduced the arrears to 20-13 at the break.

Hawks were far the better side in the second half and Joe Morris finished off a driving maul.

They then took a 23-20 lead when Cook went over and earned the bonus-point, thanks to a late Jack Robinson try, Jackson converting.