RUGBY UNION: Oxford Harlequins complete double over Banbury, while Witney and Grove also taste victory

The fine run of form has seen second-from-bottom Quins close the gap to safety in South West 1 East from ten points to one.

Banbury, who lost at Marston Ferry Road in October, opened the scoring with two penalties from Ed Phillips after 15 minutes.

Quins steadied themselves and Huw Dimond went over in the corner for an unconverted try on 28 minutes.

Moments later they took the lead through a brilliant individual try from Sam Watkinson, who ran in from 40 metres to score under the posts. Dimond converted to make it 12-6.

Bulls replied when Jed Boyle went over in the corner, but Quins took a 19-11 lead into the break, thanks to Archie Van Dijk’s try.

The visitors started the second half strongly and Ed Yeats scored under the posts. Dimond added the extras to make it 26-11.

Banbury hit back, once again, through Josh Deegan’s converted try, but Quins preserved their 15-point lead when Ollie Jenner finished off a sweeping move on 66 minutes. Dimond converted.

Bulls set up a nervy finish thanks to Sam Stoop’s converted try, but the hosts had to settle for a losing bonus-point, which they earned through a Phillips penalty in the last play of the game.

Fourteen-man Witney beat Royal Wootton Bassett 32-17 at home.

Callum Godfrey was red-carded after 12 minutes and the hosts also lost Scott Mortimer to injury.

Moments later, Gavin Ougan scored an interception try for Bassett and the visitors went on to lead 10-3 after 21 minutes.

Witney’s Henry Lamb kicked a penalty, but Ollie Smith crossed for the Wiltshire side.

But the hosts dug deep and Gareth Campbell’s try, converted by Lamb, saw them level the match.

Witney raced into a 14-point lead after the break, thanks to a forwards try and a Rhys Morgan score.

A Lamb penalty made it 27-10, before Mahue Dewes crossed for the visitors.

Witney had the final word, though, as Morgan streaked over to make it 32-17.

Grove beat Old Centralians 32-29.