Oxford Harlequins have paid tribute to local rivals Gosford All Blacks for coming to their rescue on Saturday.

Dave Boreham sets up an attack

Torrential overnight and morning rain led to the pitches at Harlequins' Horspath Road ground being waterlogged.

"Water was pouring off Shotover Country Park and there was a river running between two of the pitches," said Quins' secretary Keith Latham. "I've never seen anything like it there."

But rather than call off their top-of-the table clash against Swanage & Wareham in South West Division 2 East, Quins sought alternative venues.

Latham's first port of call was Gosford All Blacks, who have two new impressive pitches at their Stratfield Brake ground.

"I contacted Gosford's president, John O'Shea, whom I know well, and he readily agreed to help us," said Latham, whose car had conked out after he had driven through two feet of floodwater in Horspath Road.

After also looking at their own training pitches at Marston Ferry Road, Latham went for the Gosford option.

"For such a high standard game, there was only one choice we could make," said Latham, who then phoned the news to the travelling Swanage team.

Quins won the match 17-7 to extend their lead at the top of the table to four points.

Afterwards, Latham paid tribute to Gosford for their assistance.

"That's what rugby at this junior level is all about, helping each other out, and I'm very grateful to Gosford for their help," he said.

Harlequins were keen to fulfil the fixture, as continued success in cup competitions has cut down their free dates. Already, they are playing two games this weekend.

While their first XV are involved in a league game at Amersham & Chiltern on Saturday, their second team will be representing the club 24 hours later at home to Harwell in their delayed second-round tie in the David Charles Oxfordshire Cup.

Quins' run into the last 64 of the Powergen Intermediate Cup has caused another fixture switch.

Their fourth-round tie at home to unbeaten Gloucestershire Division 1 leaders Barton Hill will be played on Saturday, November 30.

Quins' home league game against Chippenham, scheduled for that day, has been moved to December 28.