Oxford Harlequins went four points clear at the top of the table when they beat second-placed Swanage and Wareham in a fiercely- contested match at Stratfield Brake on Saturday.

Matt Sims touches down for Oxford Harlequins

The game was switched at the last minute to Gosford All Blacks' ground as Quins' pitches at Horspath Road were waterlogged after heavy morning rain.

Quins adjusted well to their new surroundings and right-wing Matt Sims had an early score disallowed for a foot in touch.

However, he was not to be denied and eventually opened the scoring on the half hour.

With Swanage down to ten men after flanker Warren was sin-binned, Quins won the ball on halfway and centre Matt Maudsley put in a delightful diagonal chip kick. Gareth E Jones, on as a replacement for injured centre Mike Swadling, gathered cleverly and drew his man before passing to Sims, who looped round the outside to score a super try.

In the second half, a big boot upfield by Sims set up the position from which scrum half Anthony Cope nipped over for a try to make it 10-0.

Five minutes later, Quins scored the try of the game. The ball was recycled several times, before fly-half Chris Penney released Maudsley, who sent Martin Nutt on a jinking run for a brilliant try, which Penney converted.

Swanage, reduced to 14 men after a red card, scored a late try through flanker Gordon.

Grove recovered from a slow start to win 13-8 in their basement battle at home to Amersham & Chiltern.

With several players suffering from chest infections, Grove were not with it in the first half, at the end of which they trailed to a single penalty goal.

After a stiff half-time lecture, they raised their game and scored a try when Richard Williams's charge-down set up a kick-and-chase score for fellow centre Ben Dean.

Williams landed the conversion and two penalty goals, as Grove, with Dean Hammett outstanding at fly half, took charge of the game.

Chiltern scored a late try to set up a fraught last five minutes for the home fans, but their side hung on for three valuable points.