Rugby union

RUGBY UNION: Lee Taylor's still the skipper as Abingdon host workout

Ed Berridge goes over for a Banbury try Picture: Simon Grieve

Ed Berridge goes over for a Banbury try Picture: Simon Grieve

RUGBY UNION: Oxfordshire Cup and Oxfordshire Shield round-up

Nathan Chapman runs in Wallingford’s third try against Bicester Picture: Paul Sharkey Photography

Nathan Chapman runs in Wallingford’s third try against Bicester Picture: Paul Sharkey Photography

RUGBY UNION: Grove fight back to earn opening win in new league

GET-TOGETHER: Didcot are thriving after moving to the new facilities at Boundary Park Picture: Lee Massie

GET-TOGETHER: Didcot are thriving after moving to the new facilities at Boundary Park Picture: Lee Massie

RUGBY UNION: Go-ahead Didcot looking to build for future

Head coach Craig Burrows looks on as Grove were beaten 22-10 by visitors Oxford Harlequins
Picture: Ric Mellis
25/03/2018

Head coach Craig Burrows looks on as Grove were beaten 22-10 by visitors Oxford Harlequins
Picture: Ric Mellis
25/03/2018

RUGBY UNION: Craig Burrows to stay as Grove's head coach

Alex Waddingham returns to Chinnor's back row Picture: Ric Mellis

Alex Waddingham returns to Chinnor's back row Picture: Ric Mellis

RUGBY UNION: Chinnor seeking to forge well ahead of promotion rivals

Pete Boulton scores one of his two tries try for Banbury against Oxford University Greyhounds in the Oxfordshire Cup

Pete Boulton scores one of his two tries try for Banbury against Oxford University Greyhounds in the Oxfordshire Cup

RUGBY UNION: Boulton's brace boosts Banbury in Oxfordshire Cup bid

The referee signals for Joe Bellinger's opening try for Grove in their match with Witney Picture: Ric Mellis

The referee signals for Joe Bellinger's opening try for Grove in their match with Witney Picture: Ric Mellis

RUGBY UNION: Witney survive Grove storm to land tough derby victory

Grove's Ben Law wins the ball from a restart in their defeat by Banbury Picture: Steve Wheeler

Grove's Ben Law wins the ball from a restart in their defeat by Banbury Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBYN UNION: South West 1 East round-up

SIDELINED: Chinnor flanker Will Bordill misses out through injury Picture: Aaron Bayliss

SIDELINED: Chinnor flanker Will Bordill misses out through injury Picture: Aaron Bayliss

RUGBY UNION: National League 2 South and South West 1 East preview

COMMITTMENT: Witney’s Jack Birks goes head first into the ground while battling for the ball against Witney Picture: David Fleming

COMMITTMENT: Witney’s Jack Birks goes head first into the ground while battling for the ball against Witney Picture: David Fleming

RUGBY UNION: South West 1 East reports

James Cryer scored a try for Oxford Picture: Steve Wheeler

James Cryer scored a try for Oxford Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford's promising start fizzles out in season's finale

Wheatley's Jack Taylor, who scored a hat-trick of tries, attacks against Crowthorne Picture: Simon Chadbone

Wheatley's Jack Taylor, who scored a hat-trick of tries, attacks against Crowthorne Picture: Simon Chadbone

RUGBY UNION: Southern Counties North and BB&O reports

Jordan Gill scored four tries for Oxford RL Picture: Steve Wheeler

Jordan Gill scored four tries for Oxford RL Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY LEAGUE: Jordan Gill's four-timer sparks Oxford's Shield win

POWER: Oxford Harlequins captain Allan Purchase charges at the Witney defence during his side’s 15-6 victory Picture: Steve Wheeler

POWER: Oxford Harlequins captain Allan Purchase charges at the Witney defence during his side’s 15-6 victory Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: South West 1 East round-up

Wheatley's Josh Hillsdon looks to find Sanda Mpanza during his side's defeat to Chesham Picture: Simon Chadbone

Wheatley's Josh Hillsdon looks to find Sanda Mpanza during his side's defeat to Chesham Picture: Simon Chadbone

RUGBY UNION: Southern Counties North and BB&O Premier round-ups

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RUGBY UNION: Grove ready for home league opener

STRENGTH: Oxford’s Thomas Newbould, who was later sent off for a punch, forces his way over for a try, during his side’s 22-22 draw at home to South Wales Ironmen at Tilsley Park Picture: Steve Wheeler

STRENGTH: Oxford’s Thomas Newbould, who was later sent off for a punch, forces his way over for a try, during his side’s 22-22 draw at home to South Wales Ironmen at Tilsley Park Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY LEAGUE: Dramatic late penalty denies Oxford RL morale-boosting win

ON THE RUN: Oxford’s Harvey Burnett attempts to hand off a Hunslet opponent Picture: Steve Wheeler

ON THE RUN: Oxford’s Harvey Burnett attempts to hand off a Hunslet opponent Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford RL go tumbling to defeat at hands of Hunslet

NO WAY THROUGH: Oxford’s Tom Alexander is met by a wall of Newcastle players during his side's 52-0 defeat Picture: Steve Wheeler

NO WAY THROUGH: Oxford’s Tom Alexander is met by a wall of Newcastle players during his side's 52-0 defeat Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford RL struggle in the heat as Newcastle Thunder storm to victory

Harvey Burnett scored try for Oxford

Harvey Burnett scored try for Oxford

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford Blues ship ten tries in defeat

PROUD: Oxfordshire captain Allan Purchase with the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 3 shield Picture: David Fleming

PROUD: Oxfordshire captain Allan Purchase with the Bill Beaumont County Championship Division 3 shield Picture: David Fleming

RUGBY UNION: Oxfordshire clinch first Twickenham win after dramatic finale

DELIGHT: Ed Yeats, Sam Stoop and Guy Fairburn celebrate the news Picture: Peter Matthews

DELIGHT: Ed Yeats, Sam Stoop and Guy Fairburn celebrate the news Picture: Peter Matthews

RUGBY UNION: Twickenham news is thrill for Oxfordshire head coach Craig Burrows

Oxford's players and staff join together after the match in Toronto Picture: Adrian Smith

Oxford's players and staff join together after the match in Toronto Picture: Adrian Smith

RUGBY LEAGUE: Valiant Oxford fell prey to Toronto Wolfpack in historic contest

NEED FOR SPEED: Winger Freddie Cracknell touches down in the corner during Banbury’s 17-15 victory over Witney at Bodicote Park Picture: Steve Wheeler

NEED FOR SPEED: Winger Freddie Cracknell touches down in the corner during Banbury’s 17-15 victory over Witney at Bodicote Park Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Banbury beat Witney as Oxford Harlequins and Grove are beaten, but avoid the drop

ELATION: Bicester celebrate finishing in the Southern Counties North play-offs Picture: Lisa Horwood

ELATION: Bicester celebrate finishing in the Southern Counties North play-offs Picture: Lisa Horwood

RUGBY UNION: Bicester triumph after late rally, Gosford All Blacks win but Wallingford are beaten

Wheatley's Dan Rule scores a try during his side's victory over Berkshire Shire Hall in the BB&O Championship Picture: Simon Chadbone

Wheatley's Dan Rule scores a try during his side's victory over Berkshire Shire Hall in the BB&O Championship Picture: Simon Chadbone

RUGBY UNION: Wheatley, Didcot and Abingdon finish BB&O campaign with victories

CHALLENGE: Oxfordshire face Buckinghamshire in their county opener next month, a side they are familiar with after last year’s clash at Banbury Picture: Lucy Ford

CHALLENGE: Oxfordshire face Buckinghamshire in their county opener next month, a side they are familiar with after last year’s clash at Banbury Picture: Lucy Ford

RUGBY UNION: Road to Twickenham starts now as Oxfordshire begin preparations for county campaign

FORCE: Pete Boulton drives over for Oxford Harlequins’ first try during their victory over Old Centralians at Marston Ferry Road Picture: Steve Wheeler

FORCE: Pete Boulton drives over for Oxford Harlequins’ first try during their victory over Old Centralians at Marston Ferry Road Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Oxford Harlequins win, but Grove, Witney and Banbury lose

HAT-TRICK HERO: Jordan Gill produces a spectacular dive as he scores one of his three tries that secured Oxford RL a thrilling victory over York City Knights

HAT-TRICK HERO: Jordan Gill produces a spectacular dive as he scores one of his three tries that secured Oxford RL a thrilling victory over York City Knights

RUGBY LEAGUE: Jordan Gill’s hat-trick secures Oxford historic victory over Knights

GOOD START: Scrum half Christian Mann scores Bicester’s try in their defeat to Marlow Picture: Steve Wheeler

GOOD START: Scrum half Christian Mann scores Bicester’s try in their defeat to Marlow Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Bicester’s title hopes falter, while Gosford All Blacks and Wallingford are also beaten

NO WAY THROUGH: Captain Allan Purchase is stopped in his tracks during Oxford Harlequins’ defeat at home to Maidenhead in South West 1 East Picture: Steve Wheeler

NO WAY THROUGH: Captain Allan Purchase is stopped in his tracks during Oxford Harlequins’ defeat at home to Maidenhead in South West 1 East Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Defeats for Oxford Harlequins, Witney and Banbury, but Grove triumph

PARTY TIME: Oxford University Whippets celebrate winning the Oxfordshire Shield at Iffley Road Picture: Steve Wheeler

PARTY TIME: Oxford University Whippets celebrate winning the Oxfordshire Shield at Iffley Road Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Oxford University Whippets beat Blue Boar to lift Oxfordshire Shield

Witney's George Lewis Picture: Mark Fuller

Witney's George Lewis Picture: Mark Fuller

RUGBY UNION: Witney and Banbury win as Grove draw with Oxford Harlequins

OPENER: Keni Fisilau's try helped Oxford Harlequins on their way to a 24-6 win over Chippenham Picture: David Fleming

OPENER: Keni Fisilau's try helped Oxford Harlequins on their way to a 24-6 win over Chippenham Picture: David Fleming

RUGBY UNION: Oxford Harlequins and Banbury win, but Witney and Grove suffer heavy defeats

DOTTING DOWN: Ali Gibb scores Oxford’s first try during their 21-19 victory over Chipping Norton Picture: Steve Wheeler

DOTTING DOWN: Ali Gibb scores Oxford’s first try during their 21-19 victory over Chipping Norton Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Oxford leave it late to beat Chipping Norton, as Littlemore and Wheatley also triumph

ON THE RUN: Witney’s Henry Lamb kicks on to score a try during his side’s 20-19 victory over Grove in South West 1 East Picture: Steve Wheeler

ON THE RUN: Witney’s Henry Lamb kicks on to score a try during his side’s 20-19 victory over Grove in South West 1 East Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Oxford Harlequins climb out of relegation zone with battling victory, while Witney beat local rivals Grove

DELIGHT: Archie Van Dijk dives over to give Oxford Harlequins an eight-point lead over Banbury at half-time. They went on to win the South West 1 East clash 33-28 Picture: Steve Wheeler

DELIGHT: Archie Van Dijk dives over to give Oxford Harlequins an eight-point lead over Banbury at half-time. They went on to win the South West 1 East clash 33-28 Picture: Steve Wheeler

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

POWER: Andrew Faulkner drives over to score the first of his three tries against Bletchley Picture: Lisa Horwood

POWER: Andrew Faulkner drives over to score the first of his three tries against Bletchley Picture: Lisa Horwood

RUGBY UNION: Bicester run riot, Wallingford win, but Gosford All Blacks suffer defeat

FORWARD THINKING: Wallingford’s Sam Botting attempts to make a break during his side’s loss to Bicester in Southern Counties North Picture: Steve Wheeler

FORWARD THINKING: Wallingford’s Sam Botting attempts to make a break during his side’s loss to Bicester in Southern Counties North Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Wallingford are second best as Bicester claim derby spoils

Oxford Harlequins centre Jack Robinson scored two tries during his side's 41-5 win over Windsor in South West 1 East

Oxford Harlequins centre Jack Robinson scored two tries during his side's 41-5 win over Windsor in South West 1 East

RUGBY UNION: Oxford Harlequins maintain winning ways as Banbury, Witney and Grove fall to defeats

POWER: Bicester’s Ryan Briscoe drives at the Wallingford defence during his side’s 31-8 victory in Southern Counties North Picture: Steve Wheeler

POWER: Bicester’s Ryan Briscoe drives at the Wallingford defence during his side’s 31-8 victory in Southern Counties North Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Bicester earn derby spoils against Wallingford, while Gosford All Blacks are narrowly beaten

ON THE CHARGE: Allan Purchase skips past Grove’s Jorge Cabral during Oxford Harlequins’ 12-10 victory Picture: Steve Wheeler

ON THE CHARGE: Allan Purchase skips past Grove’s Jorge Cabral during Oxford Harlequins’ 12-10 victory Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Oxford Harlequins boost South West 1 East survival hopes with derby day win over Grove

CONSOLATION: Francois Weise scored a late try during Bicester's defeat to Swanage & Wareham

CONSOLATION: Francois Weise scored a late try during Bicester's defeat to Swanage & Wareham

RUGBY UNION: Bicester and Didcot out of South West Division Cup

OPENER: George Lewis grounds the ball to give Witney the lead during their 24-16 victory over Reading Abbey in South West 1 East Picture: Steve Wheeler

OPENER: George Lewis grounds the ball to give Witney the lead during their 24-16 victory over Reading Abbey in South West 1 East Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Witney and Grove win, but Banbury and Oxford Harlequins lose in South West 1 East

DOUBLE: Dan Sadler (centre) scored two tries for Wallingford in their defeat by High Wycombe Picture: Steve Wheeler

DOUBLE: Dan Sadler (centre) scored two tries for Wallingford in their defeat by High Wycombe Picture: Steve Wheeler

RUGBY UNION: Harwell are just denied after making stunning comeback at Oxford

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RUGBY UNION: Witney, Banbury and Oxford Harlequins win, but Grove suffer away defeat

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RUGBY UNION: Victory for Bicester, but Gosford All Blacks and Wallingford lose out

TOP REFEREE: Bill Brown has died aged 84

TOP REFEREE: Bill Brown has died aged 84

RUGBY UNION: Abingdon pay tribute to leading club member and referee Bill Brown

Wallingford's Phil Dawes, who levelled early on with a penalty

Wallingford's Phil Dawes, who levelled early on with a penalty

RUGBY UNION: Wallingford see off late rally from Gosford All Blacks to claim derby win

FOCUSED: Wheatley’s Jack Taylor in action against Chipping Norton Picture: Simon Chadbone

FOCUSED: Wheatley’s Jack Taylor in action against Chipping Norton Picture: Simon Chadbone

RUGBY UNION: Wheatley and Oxford University Whippets reach Oxfordshire Shield semi-finals

DELIGHT: Abingdon’s grounds and pitch managers Gary Halford and Mark Rowland with former RFU president Paul Murphy at the opening ceremony

DELIGHT: Abingdon’s grounds and pitch managers Gary Halford and Mark Rowland with former RFU president Paul Murphy at the opening ceremony

RUGBY UNION: Abingdon look to future as a new training pitch is opened

Steve Dixey gives the thumbs-up from his hospital bed Picture: Adam Dobson

Steve Dixey gives the thumbs-up from his hospital bed Picture: Adam Dobson

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RUGBY UNION: Grove's Steve Dixey aims to return this season after being taken to hospital with back injury

ON THE CHARGE: Grove’s Guy Nicholl looks to take on Charlie Ward. The South West 1 East match was abandoned after an injury to Steve Dixey

ON THE CHARGE: Grove’s Guy Nicholl looks to take on Charlie Ward. The South West 1 East match was abandoned after an injury to Steve Dixey

RUGBY UNION: Oxon derby abandoned after Grove's Steve Dixey suffers worrying injury