Chinnor returned to the top of the table with a hard-earned 11-3 victory at Abbey, while close rivals Slough went down to Chippenham.

Despite late withdrawals due to illness, and transport difficulties for new recruits Paul Hennessy and Darren Oxley, Chinnor adapted well to the conditions and played a tight, disciplined game.

They opened the scoring with a stunning try after 20 minutes set up by a crunching tackle from Tim Jackson, who then linked up with Gary Woodburn and the backs to send skipper James Davies storming over.

Conor Begley, who missed the conversion and one penalty, increased Chinnor's lead with a penalty in the second half.

Abbey closed the gap with a penalty, but after Begley had been sin-binned for a retaliatory kick, winger Josh Jones then slotted a penalty to seal the victory.

While Chinnor went top, Witney plunged to the bottom with a 15-13 home defeat against fellow strugglers High Wycombe, who thus recorded their first victory.

Witney made basic errors and, from a platform of supremacy, gave the game away.

For the first 15 minutes, the home side camped in the Wycombe 22, resulting in two penalties from Paul Thomas.

The home side appeared to be in command. But Wycombe's solid pack hit back with a try under the posts by their No 8 to lead 7-6 at half-time.

Witney, playing against the elements after the break, regained the lead with a classic try from full back Luke Hollick, who sliced through the remains of the defence to score under the posts. Thomas added the extra points for a 13-7 lead.

But Wycombe closed the gap with an unconverted try and then snatched victory with a penalty ten minutes from time.