CHINNOR were cruelly denied victory in the last play as they suffered a 27-21 defeat at Rams in National League One on Saturday.

The visitors led by six points with five minutes to go but they were unable to hold on in a pulsating contest.

Despite seeing Carl Kirwan yellow-carded, Chinnor took a 7-0 lead on 25 minutes when Jason Worrall crossed, Laurence May converting.

An Alex Seers penalty got Rams on the scoreboard, but the visitors headed into the break 14-3 ahead when Kieran Goss sent Chris Elder racing over, May adding the extras.

Rams however made a lightning start to the second period to go 15-14 in front thanks to tries from Conor Corrigan and Henry Bird, Seers converting the first.

Chinnor responded well to retake the lead on 60 minutes when Elder sprinted over. May converted to make it 21-15.

Rams were not finished though and the visitors were reduced to 13 men when Shek Sheriff and Cameron Gray were sin-binned for separate offences in a nervy climax.

Rams made the most of their numeric advantage and Robbie Stapley was driven over. Seers missed the conversion as Chinnor still led 21-20, but the hosts went straight back on the attack.

Bird crossed with 80 minutes on the clock, Seers adding the extras, as the visitors were left with just a losing bonus point.

The defeat leaves Chinnor in 10th position in the league table ahead of a visit to Kingsey Road from Bishops Stortford this Saturday (3pm).