Southern Counties North

Oxford Harlequins are now just one win away from the league title following their convincing 37-3 success at Swindon - and Grove's surprise defeat at Beaconsfield.

Australian winger Richard Rouse scored a hat-trick of tries as Quins eased home, courtesy of a dominant display by their front row of Simon Chadbone, Clark Lawfull and Paul de Lange, who blunted a heavier Swindon pack.

Playing with a gale-force win at their backs, Quins built up a 15-0 interval lead thanks to tries by Rouse and flanker Jamie Cope. Fly half Chris Penney added a penalty and conversion.

In the second half, the gusty wind played havoc with ball handling, but Quins mastered the conditions.

Swindon reduced the arrears with a penalty, but the rest of the game belonged to Quins, even though they lost the services of centre Nigel Hill with a hand injury.

Scrum half Anthony Cope sniped through a gap wide out for a try, while Rouse twice finished off incisive moves to complete his hat-trick. Penney added one conversion.

With their back row of Jim Anderson, Paul Nye and Jamie Cope outstanding, full back Guy Dobson rounded off the Quins scoring with the best try of the game.

An under-strength Grove side suffered a shock 29-13 defeat away to mid-table side Beaconsfield.

Grove took to the field in a blizzard of hail and snow without key players Mike Turner, Ian Hall and Dean Hammett. Their presence was sorely missed as Beaconsfield took a 16-0 lead with three penalties, followed by a try in the corner which was converted.

Grove eventually got on the scoreboard when prop James Eckert crashed over from a penalty move to make it 16-5 at half-time.

In a match dominated by the referee's whistle, Grove scored in the second half through flanker Ben Nicholl's try, plus a penalty by Nick Sevier, but the home side stayed well clear with two penalties and the touchline conversion of a controversial try.

Witney returned to winning ways with a 27-0 victory away to a dogged Oxford, but it was an unconvincing performance from the visitors.

Witney ran up a 15-0 half-time advantage thanks to tries from No 8 Martin Lyall and flying winger Adam Hicks, who had an excellent game. Francis Grant landed a conversion and a penalty.

Despite facing the wind, Oxford spent long periods of the second half camped within yards of Witney's line, but still failed to score.

Hicks scored a second try for Witney, superbly converted by Grant, who then put full back Nathan Phillips in for their final try.