CHINEHAM Lions RFC secured a dramatic 24-23 victory over visiting Fawley on Saturday, a last-minute penalty saving them from going down to their first defeat of the season.

The hosts made a positive start and led 15-0 thanks to early tries from Kris Ford and Mitch Slaney, but Fawley reduced the lead to five points by half-time and scored a second converted try to go ahead early in the second period.

Both sides kicked two penalties to leave the visitors 23-21 ahead with time running out, but Chineham mounted one last attack and Ford kicked his fourth successful penalty of the day to clinch a narrow victory.

Failing to claim the four-try bonus point saw Chineham drop to third in the Hampshire Two table, but they are just one point off the summit.

Overton RFC went down 14-10 at Aldershot and Fleet and sit eighth, while Kingsclere RFC remain pointless after going down 19-3 at Alresford. All three teams are without a game this weekend.

Aldermaston RFC suffered their first defeat of the season, going down 20-6 at home to Didcot in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Championship.

The visitors were fully deserving of their victory, though a late converted try made the result look more convincing than it was. Aldermaston struggled up front and were left to rue missed opportunities, with their only points coming from the boot of Kyle Gregory, who kicked two penalties.

The result leaves Aldermaston third in the table but they will be confident of bouncing back on Saturday, when they host bottom side Berkshire Shire Hall.

Tadley Tigers’ tough start to life in London Two South West continued as they went down 56-22 at home to Warlingham. They have taken just one point from their first four games and face a trip to fourth-placed Effingham and Leatherhead on Saturday.