Oxford Harlequins moved out of the relegation zone in National South West 3 with a crucial 49-14 triumph over fellow strugglers Amersham & Chiltern.

Defeat would almost certainly have condemned Quins to the drop, but they are now a point clear of the Bucks club with two fixtures remaining.

Quins took the lead on 12 minutes with a well-struck penalty by fly half Matt Smith.

With lock Luke Browne a tower of strength in the lineouts, Quins had plenty of ball, and it was Browne who burst out of a maul to send scrum half Jack Cosins racing under the posts for a try which Matt Smith converted.

The home side, with prop Sam Steventon and hooker Simon Chadbone outstanding in the loose, went further ahead with a Smith penalty and then a try from Jonny Tevita put them 18-0 clear by half-time.

Quins upped the tempo in the second half. Flanker Sione Vaiomo-unga’s bruising runs found cracks in the Amersham & Chiltern defence and their lock Cam Gentles was yellowcarded.

Quins exploited the one-man advantage as Smith timed his pass well to send wing Pablo Pepiol over in the corner for his debut first-team try. Smith converted from the touchline.

A minute later, Smith’s brilliant chip was gathered by full back Martin Nutt, who caught the ball on the halfway line and outstripped the defence to score under the posts. Smith converted for 32-0.

Jerry Rice scored a breakaway try which Ross Bugden converted to reduce the arrears, but Quins quickly replied as flanker Sione Vaiomo-unga burst out a maul, broke two tackles and ran round near the posts for an excellent try.

Smith converted and then kicked a penalty.

Quins’ final try came from centre Tom Jelly, Smith converting from the touchline, before Amersham & Chiltern had the last word via Brad Reeve’s try, converted by Bugden.