Leaders survive a testing time to stay clear

Barnstaple ...... 27 Chinnor ............ 32

LEAGUE-LEADERS Chinnor held off a late fightback from Barnstaple to take a bonus point win and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Prop Harry Morley and full-back Kieran Goss got Chinnor off to the perfect start in North Devon as their tries helped the visitors into a 12-0 lead. Jonathan Bentley added a single conversion.

Flanker Jarrard Hayler pulled a try back for Barnstaple, converted by Jordan Petherbridge, but their momentum did not last for long.

Michael McDonald scored Chinnor’s third try of the afternoon after 20 minutes to put them ten points clear, only for Barnstaple to pull themselves level by the break.

Gwyn Parks knocked over a penalty, before converting Robert Dugard’s try to send the sides in level at half-time at 17-17.

Two crucial second-half tries paved the way for Chinnor’s victory, with back rower Alex Bradley going over three minutes after the interval for the bonus point.

Bentley converted and Jamel Hamilton extended the Chinnor advantage with a 55th-minute score.

Scrum-half James Bath pulled one try back on the hour to leave Barnstaple back within a score.

But a late exchange of penalties between Bentley and Petherbridge didn’t threaten to change the result as league-leaders Chinnor assured they would stay top of the pile.