OXFORD Harlequins' scrummaging power told as they defeated Amersham & Chiltern 23-14 in their crunch relegation battle.

Props Sam Steventon and Jonathan Hall, plus hooker Simon Chadbone gave the visitors a great platform in the second half.

Quins’ third successive league victory took them to within a point of Amersham, who are just outside the drop zone.

Having billed the contest as a must-win game, Quins opened up at a fast pace and took the lead with fly half Joey Todd’s penalty on six minutes.

Amersham hit back after ten minutes with a breakaway try from wing Jerry Rice, converted by fly half Ross Bugden.

On 21 minutes, Quins scrum half Jack Cosins finished from 35 metres after a similar break from No 8 Julian Watkins.

Todd converted this and added a penalty, but Amersham led 14-13 at half-time after a try from wing Brad Reeve, converted by Bugden.

Home full back Chris Jacks was yellow-carded on 42 minutes and Quins took advantage with flanker Sione Vaiomo’unga running in try No 2 from 40 metres.

Todd converted this and denied Amersham a bonus point with a 74th-minute penalty after centre Martin Nutt had gone close.

Chinnor stayed top following a 67-0 hammering of basement boys Newbury Blues, which saw centre Matt Goode bag four tries.

The visitors took the lead through captain Joe Winpenny, who touched down from a driven line-out, and it was 12-0 in as many minutes.

Wing Richard Williams finished off some precise passing and fly half James Cathcart converted. No 8 Liam Gilbert then crashed over for try No 3, Cathcart converting.

The four-try bonus point came on the half-hour as centre Ken Prinsloo slipped in wing Pip Seymour, and Cathcart converted.

Newbury began the second half well, but could not force a try and were punished by Goode’s muscular finish on 52 minutes, Cathcart converting.

A minute later, full back Henry Colver joined the line to motor in for his side’s sixth try, which Cathcart converted.

More good play from the impressive Prinsloo allowed flanker Harry Jackman to break a series of tackles and make it 45-0.

Chinnor’s next try, on 63 minutes, was the best of the match as Goode effortlessly beat four defenders to dot down, Cathcart converting.

Cathcart’s delayed pass allowed Goode to notch his treble, then replacement scrum half Ricky Hopwood created Seymour’s second try.

With two minutes to go, Hopwood’s trickery allowed Goode to grab a fourth try.