Grove kept their promotion hopes alive with a convincing 28-10 victory away to inconsistent Chipping Norton.

In their previous match, Chippy had beaten leaders Windsor, but they were never in this game after Grove seeking revenge for the one-point defeat they suffered earlier in the season scored after five minutes.

From a drop-out, Grove lock Mike Turner plucked the ball out of the air and bulldozed his way over for a try. Moments later, Dean Hammett dropped a goal from 30 metres to make it 8-0.

Turner's second try and a score in the corner by winger Garath Hudson, which Hammett converted, put Grove in charge at 20-0.

Adam Smith opened Chippy's account with a penalty, but a second drop goal, this time by Grove centre Paul Cuddon, made it 23-3 at the break.

Chippy came out with all guns blazing in the second half and were rewarded with a penalty try for a high tackle, which Smith converted.

Grove gradually regained control, and No 8 Ian Hall sent winger Guy Bates over for their fourth try.

Missed kicks at goal cost Oxford Harlequins dear as they lost 18-17 at home to Buckingham.

Right-wing Henry Pooler took advantage of the slippery conditions to nip through a gap and dive over wide out to put Quins 5-0 up, before the visitors equalised in kind.

Quins missed several kickable penalties before regaining the lead when full back Dave Boreham came into the line and brushed off two tackles to score an excellent try for a 10-5 interval lead.

After Buckingham closed the gap with a penalty, Boreham was on hand to finish off a superb move by scoring his second try. Fly half Gareth E Jones converted to make it 17-8.

Buckingham kicked a penalty and then created an overlap to score near the posts against the run of play, the conversion giving them an 18-17 lead.

Quins pressed hard but desperate Buckingham defence kept them at bay in the final ten minutes.

Build a free websitefor your sports club