Amersham & Chiltern passed their biggest remaining test in their pursuit of the London One North title on Saturday as they beat Brentwood 17-11.

With their hosts occupying third spot in the table heading into the match, Chiltern were fully aware of the need to be on top of their game to pick up the precious win.

A first half full of errors allowed Brentwood to set the pace, and a simple penalty from in front of the posts was added to by a superb try to give them an 8-0 lead at the interval.

It would require a mammoth effort in the second half for Chiltern to turn the tide, but it was one they managed well after receiving a dressing down from head coach Richie Williams at half-time.

Andy Fluker kicked a penalty before three more points for Brentwood restored their advantage early in the second period.

By now though the Brentwood forwards were tiring and Chiltern took full advantage with a sustained period of pressure which allowed Joe Butler to touch down. Fluker added the extras to take his side to within a point of their opponents.

Just five minutes later they were ahead for the first time in the match after Chris Jack benefitted from some strong running and offloads to finish off a sweeping Chiltern move.

Again Fluker’s conversion was precise and with 15 minutes left to play, Chiltern again relied on the defensive solidity which had kept them within touching distance of Brentwood early on.

They saw out a nervy final five minutes which takes them to within two bonus point wins of the title. Their lead was, however, reduced to one point as second placed Tring recorded an 87-0 win over Barking.

Elsewhere, High Wycombe fell to a 27-8 defeat against Oxford Harlequins to be drawn back into the South West One East relegation conversation.

Wycombe have two league games to play this season and are now six points ahead of Reading who occupy 13th place.

The point gap should be enough to ensure Wycombe remain safe, but they will be aware of the fact they face difficult matches in their final two games of the season. The run-in starts with a home meeting with league leaders Towcestrians on Saturday and ends at Maidenhead a week later.

Reading meanwhile finish their campaign with an away match against 10th placed Grove and a testing visit from Second placed Salisbury.

Neither Marlow nor Beaconsfield played over the weekend and will return to action against Buckingham and Thatcham respectively on Saturday.