National 3 South West

OXFORD Harlequins’ 38-15 defeat at Old Patesians was part of a triple blow to their survival hopes.

With relegation rivals Amersham & Chiltern and Old Redcliffians both winning, Quins are now six points adrift of safety.

Quins felt the 38-15 scoreline flattered Old Pats and that they were unlucky not to score more tries in an improved second half.

Fly half Matt Smith put Quins ahead with a third-minute penalty, but Old Pats flanker Henry Tapsel was driven over, wing Leo Fielding converting.

Smith created a try for centre Johnny Tevita on 21 minutes.

However, tries from Fielding and full back George Hughes, both converted by Fielding, put the hosts 21-8 up at the break.

Home No 8 James Pettigrew and Tevita were both yellow-carded.

Centre James Butler bagged Old Pats’ bonus-point score on 44 minutes, Fielding converting.

Quins soon replied with a try, scored by scrum half Jack Cosins after a great move involving wing Huw Jones and centre Martin Nutt.

Smith converted, but further try chances went begging for Tevita and Jones, while Nutt was sin-binned.

Fielding slotted the resulting penalty, then with the final action, converted a try from replacement Josh Stevens.