WITNEY’S clash with Oxford Harlequins went to form – but the South West 1 East derby was closer than the 31-12 scoreline suggests.

Quins led 12-11 at the break and exerted plenty of pressure in the second half, without making the breakthrough.

Witney’s greater cutting edge saw them seal a bonus point for four tries in the final stages after visiting hooker Chris Davies was sent off.

A pair of penalties from full back Phil Thomas put the hosts 6-0 up inside eight minutes.

The opening exchanges were evenly contested, but Witney extended their advantage on the quarter-hour mark.

Robert Coe burst through with a quick change of direction, before drawing the last tackle and offloading to fellow flanker Sam Collins for an 11-0 lead.

Quins responded within five minutes.

Fly half Huw Diamond’s chip forward led to a lineout on the five-metre line and their big pack, which had already impressed, drove George Tierney over the line.

Witney missed two tough penalties and instead fell behind on the stroke of half-time, when Davies emerged from a maul to touch down.

Full back Sam Watkinson converted to send the visitors in one point ahead.

The hosts took just five minutes after the restart to regain the lead, when captain Gareth Campbell dived over.

A Thomas penalty opened up a 19-12 advantage, before Quins came on strongly again, but this time their pack could not force their way through, even with Collins picking up a yellow card.

As fog descended it was then Quins’ turn to be reduced to 14 men when Davies saw red, allowing Witney to score late tries from Campbell, converted by Henry Lamb, and Matt Clarke.

Banbury moved into the top five with a 43-22 win at home to Chippenham.

Matt Goode and Josh Deegan scored two tries apiece, while Chris Phillips, Ian Isham and debutant Dan Brady also crossed. Ed Phillips added four conversions.

Grove suffered a 24-17 defeat at Windsor.