Sutton & Epsom displayed their promotion credentials with an emphatic 38-19 win over Chobham on Saturday.

And since the weather put paid to fellow title challengers Guildford's match against Havant, Sutton's bonus point win restored their four-point lead at the top of London Division One South.

Sutton started at a frenetic pace eager to stretch the game and use their backs.

Within 10 minutes a well-weighted kick from Ollie Clements bisected the Chobham defences for Kyren Ghumra to outpace the cover to touch down in the corner.

Ollie Clements proved equally adept kicking for goal as he added the conversion to give Sutton a 7-0 lead.

The visitors recovered at once, punishing the home side's indiscipline, and declining a pot at goal they kicked to the corner for an attacking line out.

They were rewarded for their positive play as the forwards scored from close range.

The conversion narrowly missed but the men from Fowlers Wells were right back in the game.

There was no respite in the entertainment and any thoughts of a more cautious approach were soon blown asunder with a thrilling remainder of the first period.

Firstly, a sniping break from Steve Munford and beautifully timed offload to Raynn Bruce saw the prop force his way over for a 19th minute try, and five minutes later Chobham were level, 12-12, as a wonderful piece of deception saw scrum half Ian Barnes ghost in under the posts.

The crowd hardly had time to draw breath as Sutton scored twice in a five-minute blitz.

The first was an exquisite 30-yard run by Joe Ridgley as his perfect line carved through the visitors defences.

Then Paul Hodgson scampered in under the posts following a series of attacks.

With an additional Ollie Clements conversion the Rugby Lane team had not only gained a 24-12 lead within 30 minutes, but also secured the four-try bonus point.

Breathless stuff indeed but not an end to the first-half scoring.

Chobham hurled themselves into the fray forcing a string of penalties that led to a yellow card for Andy Matthews.

Valiantly as they defended the visitors clinically exploited their numerical superiority to end the half with a converted try to trail 24-19 at the interval.

Restored to their full compliment, Sutton needed to reassert their control.

Finally, on the hour, the home crowd greeted the familiar sight of a Matt Whitaker try that was expertly converted by Clements to give Sutton breathing space with a 31-19 lead.

The game was then secured with just over 10 minutes remaining when Ghumra followed up an Ollie Clements chip.

The covering defence failed to secure the ball by the line gifting the winger his second try of the game.

Clements added the extras as his touchline conversion went over via a post and crossbar.

The remainder of the game was seen out without further additions to the 38-19 scoreline.

The league campaign continues with a couple of trips to the south coast in the form of Gosport & Fareham (February 20) and Tottonians (February 27).

But this is be the prelude to the much-anticipated encounter with title rivals Guildford at Rugby Lane on March 5.