GREATER cutting edge gave Witney a deserved 24-7 home victory over Oxfordshire rivals Grove in Southern Counties North.

Both sides enjoyed plenty of possession in an entertaining clash at Hailey Road, but it was Witney who made better use of the ball in the final third.

They scored three fine tries to Grove's one and in fly half Tom Harper had the dominant playmaker.

With flanker Will Worrall often acting as an auxiliary half-back and full back Johnny Wheater joining the line at pace, Witney showed promise ahead of their Oxfordshire Cup final debut.

They took the lead in the first minute after Grove infringed from the kick-off and Harper coolly slotted the resultant penalty.

Witney threatened again following Harper's cross-field kick, but Grove cleared and spent the next ten minutes camped in the hosts' 22.

Giant lock Mike Turnhill and skipper John Smart both came close to driving over.

Witney defended well, as they did all match, and went further ahead with a sucker punch on 20 minutes.

Prop Andy Gosling's break gave them a platform before the ball was spun out left to Wheater, who rounded his man to score. Harper kicked the conversion.

Winger Alex Cuminsky broke well for Grove, but failed to get his pass away and the momentum was lost.

Worrall and Harper continued to orchestrate play and the latter's cross kick almost gave Wheater a second try.

Harper narrowly missed a long-range penalty on 36 minutes, but Witney struck again just before half time.

Worrall's cleverly delayed pass found centre Carl Strutt, who fed Wheater to crash through under the posts and Harper converted for 17-0.

Grove seemed aggrieved at the deficit and came out flying after the break.

Winger Gareth Hudson fumbled when an overlap looked on, and fly half Alan Awcock forced Witney back with some tactical kicking.

Witney winger Tom Whelan was impeded as he chased his own kick on 52 minutes, while replacement James Monks was just held up after his first run of the game.

Grove's third period of sustained pressure finally saw them get on the scoresheet.

Witney conceded three penalties near their own line and a penalty try looked likely before Turnhill was driven over on 67 minutes.

Full back Nick Sevier converted and at 17-7 down, they had a slight chance. But Witney retook control in the final ten minutes.

They wasted two penalty chances before sealing the game on 76 minutes.

Harper responded to missing an easy three points by finding the on-rushing Henry Lamb at left wing and he was not going to be caught from inside Grove's 22.

Harper slotted the conversion and that was effectively game over.

Witney: Wheater (Monks 53), H Lamb, C Strutt, McIlveen, Whelan, Harper, G Campbell, Dore (Serle 76), Merriman, Gosling, Richens, J Hicks (capt), Worrall, C Campbell, Lyall (Fowler 74).

Grove: N Sevier, Cuminsky, Burns, Nicholl (Bellinger 58), Hudson, Awcock, P Maryon, Eckert, Wallbridge, Keane (Beauchamp 40), Miles, Turnhill, Allen, Hastings, Smart (capt) (Pakes 65).

Man-of-the-match: Harper.