POWERGEN INTERMEDIATE CUP: The loss of both second rows proved too much of a handicap for Witney, who went down 19-9 at home to Amersham & Chiltern in a tight second-round clash.

Francis Grant raised hopes of a shock result against a team from one league higher, by slotting an early drop goal and penalty for Witney, before second rows Jez Hicks and John Williams had to leave the pitch injured.

Amersham responded with a penalty and a well-worked try to go 8-6 up at half-time.

Witney were still in the game, with the likes of Luke Hollick and debutant James Taffe tackling well in the backs.

The teams exchanged penalties, and an upset was still on the cards. However, it was not to be, as Amersham scored another penalty and a late try to give them a rather flattering scoreline.

Oxford Harlequins cruised into the third round by scoring seven tries against Southern Counties North side Olney at Horspath Road.

Playing against the wind, Quins built up a 14-5 half-time lead with tries from full back Dave Boreham and centre Richard Rouse, following winger Martin Nutt's angled run. Both were converted by fly half Chris Penney.

Olney's reply came from a line-out, when their open side flanker plunged over for a try to bring the score to 14-5 at half time.

With lock forwards Simon Chatterton and Rob Dow prominent in all phases of the game, Quins increased their lead with Boreham's second try.

Boreham was replaced by Guy Dobson, who scored with a brilliant jinking run. Penney's fourth conversion made it 28-5.

Right wing Matt Sims use his guile and pace to outstrip the Olney defence for two super tries, one of which Penney converted, before Nutt scorched down the touchline for the final try.

Wallingford, beaten heavily by Swindon in the league a fortnight earlier, put up a much better show in the cup, going down 30-19.

When hosts Swindon got an early try, it looked like a repeat of the earlier match.

However, Wallingford bounced straight back. Centre Olly Henderson chipped the Swindon backs for full back Henry Venners to scoop up the ball and score under the posts.

Soon afterwards fly-half Kieron Murphy gave Wallingford the lead with a try and Venners second try made it 19-7.

Swindon registered another try before half-time to leave it 19-12 to the visitors at the turn around.

The half-time score roused the Swindon pack into life, and they came out all guns blazing and they soon scored two converted tries.

Two penalty goals gave the home side the cushion they needed to go through to the third round.