A bonus point win against Hertford wasn’t enough to preserve Amersham & Chiltern’s National League 3 status as results elsewhere condemned them to relegation.

Richie Williams’ side ran in four tries en route to 30-19 success, but wins for Tring and Westcliff meant Chiltern finished the season second bottom – just one point adrift of safety.

It was their third victory from their final four matches but a run of nine straight defeats before Christmas ultimately proved to be their downfall.

The hosts started the day in the drop zone and they knew that nothing but a bonus point win would do in their quest for survival.

They made the perfect start and were ahead with under ten minutes on the clock as winger Sam Portland crashed over after some deft footwork from full-back Chris Jack.

The try went unconverted, but more points were added when Morgan Thompson landed a penalty after 13 minutes to make it 8-0.

Amersham were battling for their lives and some stubborn defence saw them keep out their opponents after prop Joe Winpenny had been sin binned.

When Hertford did begin to threaten they were hit by a sucker punch as Andy Zair pounced on a loose ball and raced up the pitch before passing to Portland, who raced in for his second of the afternoon to hand his team a 13-0 half-time lead.

Thompson was on target from the tee once again after half-time before the visitors hit back with a converted try.

A thumping hit by George Bartlett on the opposing full-back knocked the ball loose. Josh Davies picked it up and fed Joe Butler, who sprinted in under the posts from 30 yards to give Thompson an easy conversion.

Hertford replied with a converted try of their own before Jonny Hughes went in for Chiltern’s fourth score of the afternoon to ensure they would pick up maximum points.

Thompson added the extras for the second time before the visitors scored a late consolation.