CHINNOR came off second best in Somerset as Taunton Titans won a high-scoring National League 1 contest.

The Thame-based side were beaten 43-29 in a ten-try thriller, leaving them seventh in the table with four games remaining.

Chinnor punished early Titans errors to lead 8-0 after seven minutes, courtesy of a James Bourton penalty and Jason Worrall try.

Taunton replied through Ratu Vakalutukali’s converted score, but the visitors went on to go 15-7 in front just after the half-hour mark when captain Ben Manning finished off a superb flowing team move.

However, three tries in the final five minutes of the half saw Titans head into the break with a 26-15 lead as two Sam Mercer tries sandwiched another from Vakalutukali.

The Kingsey Road outfit had their chances at the start of the second period, but Vakalutukali’s hat-trick score extended Taunton’s lead to 18 points.

Bourton stormed over to reduce the arrears for the visitors, however a Gary Kingdom penalty ensured Chinnor still trailed by two converted efforts after an hour.

The Oxfordshire side gave themselves hope of pulling off the comeback when Kieran Goss scored another stunning solo try – Bourton adding the extras – as they cut the deficit to seven points.

But Taunton had the final say when Charlie Williams drove over for try number six, leaving Chinnor with just the four-try bonus point.

Meanwhile, Chinnor’s 3rd XV – the Wildboys – celebrated winning Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1 for a third successive season.

A 26-15 win over Rams 3rd saw them finish 20 points clear of second place as they remain unbeaten since January 2018.

Henley Hawks fell to sixth in National 2 South after losing 40-5 to Dings Crusaders.

In South West 1 East, Oxford Quins took a giant step towards the title with a 31-7 home victory over third-placed Bracknell.

Banbury Bulls are three points behind in second after winning 45-14 at Trowbridge, while Witney beat Windsor 45-12 and Grove overcame Frome 28-24.

Gosford All Blacks triumphed 50-7 over High Wycombe in Southern Counties North, Wallingford were 33-12 victors against Milton Keynes and Bicester lost 30-25 at Shipston on Stour.