National 3 South West

OXFORD Harlequins’ relegation worries increased following a 24-12 home defeat to Newton Abbot.

Quins, who ultimately paid the price for conceding three tries around half-time, remain 15 points from safety with seven matches to play.

The hosts, however, started well, with fly half Guillame Bourda finding flanker Seisoni Tupou, who broke three tackles to score on 15 minutes.

Full back Will Hilton converted, but Abbot levelled when lock Lee Williams was driven over and fly half Rob Avery-Wright added the extras.

Quins scrum half Jack Cosins was sin-binned on 35 minutes before Abbot full back Sam Jones pounced on a loose ball to score.

On 39 minutes, centre Jack Monnington’s try gave Abbot a 17-7 lead.

Jones grabbed his second try after the break, converted by Avery-Wright.

Quins hit back on 55 minutes when Tupou broke two tackles and fed centre JJ Baird, whose pass sent left wing Harry Whittington sprinting over.

Abbot’s Brent Stroude and Tupou were yellow-carded in the closing ten minutes, but the score remained unchanged.