SOUTH WEST 1 EAST

HUW Lewis proved a more than handy late replacement in Grove’s 36-12 victory over Buckingham at Cane Lane.

Lewis was drafted across from the second team at late notice after Brendan White pulled up injured in the warm-up and ended up scoring two tries.

Guy Nicholl bagged Grove’s opening try on 12 minutes, with Henry Day converting and adding a penalty soon afterwards.

Lewis touched down twice before half-time, with Day converting the former to leave Grove 22-0 ahead.

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Dave Johnson’s try earned Grove a bonus point just after the break, Day again converting.

Buckingham replied with a try before Joe Bellinger went over for Grove’s fifth, converted by Day, on the hour mark.

Buckingham managed a late converted try, but Grove were more than happy with the big win, which took them up to tenth place.

“We knew it was coming because in these last two to three weeks we have had a full squad to pick from,” said head coach Craig Burrows.

“When we lost Brendan, we had another quality player in Huw to bring in.”

Witney blew a 27-5 lead to lose 31-30 at Swindon and slip to seventh in the table.

Fly half Henry Lamb led the way with a try, three conversions and three penalties in a 20-point haul.

Scrum half Arron Lambourne and wing Ben Fisk also scored tries, but Swindon showed great spirit to turn the match around and take a pulsating victory.

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