BANBURY remain in pole position for a play-off spot after beating Stratford-upon-Avon 49-21 away from home.

Second-placed Bulls are a point ahead of Chippenham in South West 1 East and have a game in hand over their nearest rivals.

Stratford started brightly and took a 10-0 lead when Ben Cole and Dan Whitby touched down.

It was a nightmare start for Bulls, who also lost Freddie Cracknell and Jimmy Manley to injury.

But they responded well and Tommy Gray crossed twice to put them 12-10 in front, Ed Phillips converting the second try.

Giles Saar extended Banbury’s lead with a superb solo effort, Phillips adding the extras.

But Whitby crossed for his second as Stratford cut Bulls’ lead to two points at the break.

A Dan Brady score and Phillips penalty made it 27-17 to Banbury.

Jack Briggs then crossed, Phillips converting, as Bulls dominated.

Stratford hit back to within five points, with tries from Charlie Powell and Nath Geekie, who converted both.

But Banbury delivered the final blow when Joe Mills dotted down and Phillips slotted the conversion.

Oxford Harlequins staged a late recovery to beat Marlow 26-19 at home.

They fell 14-0 behind when Paul O’Dell darted over and Jamie Maddern added the extras, before also conceding a penalty try.

Finally, Quins got going and Chris Davies went over, James Stacey converting.

But they trailed 19-7 at the break when Michael Hogan sped over.

Quins, though, mounted a late charge with ten minutes to go.

Callum Cashman and Charlie Craig crossed, Stacey converting the second.

And on 76 minutes, Allan Purchase dived over, Stacey adding the extras, to earn victory.

Witney fell to a 32-5 defeat at Wimborne.

The hosts led 10-0 after 20 minutes, with two tries sandwiching a missed penalty from Arron Lambourne for the visitors.

Witney replied when Rhys Morgan sped over for an unconverted try.

However, Wimborne raced into a 20-5 lead after the break, before two late tries saw them cruise to victory.

Grove’s five-season stay in the sixth tier came to an end in a 47-7 defeat at Royal Wootton Bassett.

They are now 21 points adrift with only a maximum of 15 remaining.

Basement boys Bicester lost 33-26 at Swindon.