Wimbledon stay top but gap is closing
WIMBLEDON hang on at the top of the table in a close 22-20 encounter away at Bedford Athletic and breathed a sigh of relief as a late attempted drop goal from Leo Mortimer just drifted wide.
Jack Cassell and Andy Ince crossed for the home side, both converted by Mortimer who also slotted two penalties. Toby White, twice, and Kane Alboni were try-scorers for the league leaders with James Moffat landing two conversions and a penalty. Second place Sutton
and Epsom inched closer to the leaders by taking the bonus point from their 30-15 win away at Chingford. Jacob Bushell and Matt Whitaker went in for a pair of tries apiece with Sam Hurley on target with two conversions to add to an early penalty.
Westcliff keep up the pressure taking maximum points in their 23-16 victory away at fourth place
Hertford. Ross Merrick, Jack Jones, Greg Bannister and Ian Dartmell crossed for the visitors with Jones also slotting a three-pointer. Josh Corcoran and Tim Matthews responded for the home side with Ben Lloyd adding two penalties.
In perhaps the shock of the afternoon, CS Stags ran out 46-19 winners at home to Tring. Ryan Martin and Conrad Burn bagged a pair each with Thomas Poland, James Huston, Will Scott and Tom Hodgson all dotting down. Hodgson also hit three conversions. Sam Barnes and George Hayes were the try scorers for the visitors, Tom Newton adding one conversion in the defeat.
Tunbridge Wells got the better of Shelford as they beat the bottom club 26-10. Mike Hathaway, Mike Doherty and Nick Doherty, twice, all crossed with Frank Reynolds kicking three conversions.
Dorking were 26-11 victors at home to Brentwood. Finn Osborn and Tom Hunt went over for two apiece with Matt Noble on song with three conversions.
Sidcup ran out 41-19 winners at home to Guildford. The home side breached the Guildford line on four occasions to take the bonus point, other scores coming from five penalties and three conversions. Guildford crossed for three tries with Kyle Brown landing two conversions.