Leaders suffer another loss

HERTFORD sprang a major surprise by defeating Westcombe Park 21-18 – the league leaders’ second defeat on the bounce.

Park led by four points with 20 minutes to play – but it proved to be a fragile advantage, which the visitors overturned.

Second-placed Colchester took full advantage of Park’s woes, thrashing CS Stags 47-12.

They ran in seven tries through Dylan Read (twice), Sam Butler, Jimmy Mpailane, Ropati Sooalo, Sam Easton and Connor O’Reilly.

It was an end-to-end contest between hosts Sudbury and Bedford Athletic, with the home side prevailing 47-26.

Jake Sumner’s brace, Sam Bixby and Gareth Pugh helped Sudbury secure a bonus point before the break.

Over at Crescent Farm, Shelford were made to work hard against lowly Sidcup, winning 24-19 against a side battling for survival.

The in-form Euan Rees scored twice – both fine finishes – with Calum Coyne and Charlie Baker also contributing five-pointers.

Sam Carmen, Jon West and Liam Healey were Sidcup’s tryscorers, with their losing bonus point potentially vital as the relegation race hots up.

Elsewhere, bottomplaced Medway were left heartbroken as Harpenden left Priestfields with a 21-20 win, leaving them seven points adrift of Sidcup at the foot of the table.

Alfie Orris and Tom Beaumont were on target for Medway, but they couldn’t quite get over the line despite a massive effort late on.

Tunbridge Wells and Tring played out a breathless contest, the home side winning 38-34. They scored six tries through Tom Waghorne, Ben Whale, Nick Doherty, twice, Max Douch and Toby Talbot. The win moves them one point behind Bedford in sixth, with a top-half finish the target.