CHINGFORD launched a terrific second-half comeback to edge a tight encounter at Letchworth Garden City at the weekend to keep themselves in the promotion mix.

Two tries – one converted – after the break was enough to make up a ten-point deficit on London One North’s third-bottom side and claim a victory that keeps Chingford five points adrift of Sidcup in second.

Letchworth opened the scoring with a chip and touch down in the corner and extended that lead when their number eight scored following a five-metre scrum.

Chingford managed to turn the tables with a superb 40-metre rolling maul that the hosts could only stop illegally, collapsing the move in front of their try-line.

That prompted the referee to award a penalty try that Joe Gaze duly converted to cut the gap to three points.

Hopes of a fightback were dashed when Letchworth almost immediately ran in their first converted try of the game.

The tables were turned after the interval, however, as Chingford surged forward. They found their reward when Jonny Hollis responded to David Knight’s smart cross-run to score out wide. Luke Campbell trimmed the deficit back to three with the conversion.

As the game entered its final throes, Campbell produced the magical moment, darting off the back of a maul to score the try that won the game.

Elsewhere, Woodford were hammered 60-6 by league leaders Westcliff on Saturday.

The Highams men have now been overtaken by Eton Manor, who ran out 34-25 victors at home to Stevenage Town.

Bancroft remain in trouble at the foot of London Three North East after they were beaten in a tight, low-scoring affair at Campion, eventually going down 6-5.

Upper Clapton, meanwhile, were given a tough test at May & Baker in Essex Two, prevailing 33-24 in an entertaining game, while Ilford Wanderers saw off Writtle Wanderers 34-27.