CHINGFORD’S promotion bid took a hit at Brentwood as the rugby season got back up and running after four weeks in deep freeze.

Despite a series of injuries to key men, it was hoped the Waltham Wayers could pick up where they left off in the first half of the campaign with a victory to keep up their hopes of a top-two finish.

However, a mid-table Brentwood side ensured it was a miserable start to the new year for Chingford, who now trail second-placed Sidcup by three points, with the runners-up position securing a play-off place. Westcliff have so far taken the London One North division by storm and look nailed-on certainties for the title.

Chingford seemed destined to be their closest competitors after a run that included just two defeats in 12 games prior to Saturday’s loss.

It was a closely-contested event, although Brentwood eventually ran out narrow 13-10 victors, with Steven Piper scoring the visitors’ only try of the game.

Joe Gaze, assuming kicking duties in place of the absent Duncan Hayward and Kurt Forward, slotted the conversion and was on target with a penalty.

Next up is a trip to face strugglers Tabard this weekend.

Elsewhere, Woodford kicked off 2011 in style with an entertaining 26-20 win over Tabard.

The Highams men have succeeded in distancing themselves from the relegation battle and now sit in a comfortable mid-table position.

A visit from high-flying Thurrock is next on the slate.

Meanwhile, Eton Manor gave promotion-chasing Sidcup a run for their money at their New Wilderness ground.

The local side eventually succumbed 22-35, but not before they had given their illustrious opponents a scare.

Manor sit in 11th place in the table, four points ahead of rock-bottom Letchworth Garden City, with a game at Bury St Edmunds to come on Saturday.

In London Three North East, Bancroft are embroiled in a relegation scrap after suffering an agonising 18-16 defeat at home to Wisbech.

Wanstead, meanwhile, were put to the sword by the division’s runaway leaders Lowestoft & Yarmouth, going down 39-3 on Saturday.

The result means the team will have to enjoy a near-faultless second half of the season to stand a chance of winning promotion.

Upper Clapton have gained top spot in Essex Two after a thumping 71-0 victory over Runwell Wyverns. They have leapfrogged Writtle Wanderers on points difference and have now won all eight of their games.

Ilford Wanderers are also applying pressure on the top two after they overcame local rivals Ongar 46-13.