HAT-TRICK hero Brendon White’s dramatic last-minute try secured Grove’s safety and ear-ned a nail-biting 30-29 win over Reading at Cane Lane.
Craig Burrows’s side needed a win to avoid the possibility of relegation from South West 1 East this weekend.
And with the visitors leading 29-25 with seconds to go, White squeezed over in the corner to earn a vital victory.
Grove fly half Mike Martin and his Reading counterpart exchanged penalties, before the Berkshire side crossed for the first try to make it 8-3.
On 35 minutes, White dived over, but the hosts switched off and the visitors profited with a converted try.
Grove did respond as Joe Chilvers went over and added the extras to make it 15-15.
Two penalties gave the visitors a 21-15 lead shortly after the break.
But the impressive White boosted the hosts's hopes on 61 minutes when he crashed over to bring them within a point.
Another penalty stretched Reading’s lead further, but with nine minutes to go Simon Peel drove over to give Grove a 25-24 advantage.
However, chasing another score, the hosts were caught out on 75 minutes as a loose pass led to an interception try.
Grove desperately needed a try and they got it in the last play when White sped over to spark jubilant celebrations.
Oxford Harlequins beat Swanage & Wareham 25-18.
Pete Alston and Jack Avery tries, as well as an Ollie Jenner conversion and penalty gave Quins a 15-3 lead.
Philip Graves had kicked a penalty for Swanage, before Kirk Jones and Chris Tomes crossed to reduce the visitors lead to two points.
Robert Elford went over to make it 18-15 to the hosts, but Jenner’s penalty levelled things up and Robin Craig crossed. Jenner added the extras to seal victory.
Witney suffered a 20-14 defeat at Salisbury.
Ben Fisk sped over to give the visitors a 5-0 lead, before the home side hit back through a Tom Lane penalty and David Tonge try. Lane added the extras.
Henry Lamb kicked a penalty for Witney, but Richard West’s try, converted by Lane, extended Salisbury’s lead to 17-8.
Lamb replied with another penalty just before half-time.
Another three points from the boot of Lamb made it 17-14, but a late Lane penalty ensured victory for the home side.
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