CHINGFORD’S promotion push gathered pace after a superb away day at Stevenage.

The Waltham Wayers are locked on 20 points alongside Westcliff at the top of London One North, and look a strong bet to lift themselves out of the division and into the National League.

Phil Howell’s men welcomed back the inspirational Kurt Forward for the trip, and he took no time to make an impact, firing over a penalty as well as converting his own try to put Chingford in the ascendancy early on.

Six more points arrived from the boot of Forward, this time a drop goal was complemented with another penalty.

Bill Raby unselfishly gave up the chance to score his first try for the first XI, instead opting to lay on Chris Moore for the score. Forward’s conversion made it 20-0, before the two sides traded penalties ahead of the break.

It was impossible to keep Forward quiet, and he put Chingford out of sight with his second score of the afternoon, before Stevenage managed a consolation try.

Elsewhere, Woodford bucked a run of four straight defeats with an impressive 23-13 win at Harpenden.

The team enjoyed periods of dominance in the game, but they could not find the scores their play deserved.

However, they did eventually find their stride and were able to pull away from Harpenden to register a welcome victory.

Eton Manor were the only local side to taste defeat in the division, as they went down at Ruislip 21-15.

Meanwhile, in London Three North East, Wanstead moved into the security of mid-table with a 18-13 home win over bottom side West Norfolk.

In Essex One, Bancroft got the better of Millwall in a thriller at their Buckhurst Way ground to move them within two points of second place.

Pete Robinson cancelled out an early try from the visitors with one of his own, before Charl Dohmel and Perry Julier both went over for a 22-8 half-time lead.

After the break scores from Craig Adams and Luke Robinson sandwiched a Millwall try. After a brief scare, a Pete Robinson penalty and a Richard Cann try put the seal on a 42-27 victory.

Next up is a trip to local rivals Ilford Wanderers, who endured a bad day at the office, losing 21-3 to Old Cooperians.

Elsewhere, Loughton trounced Essex Two high-fliers Writtle Wanderers 31-0 at their Hornbeam Road home.

A sole try from Ricardo James was the only score of the first half, but the home side emerged rampant, and extended their advantage when Owen Sayers, Richard Thomas, Shane Leeks and Richard Stock ran in tries in the second half.