IF any team are going to halt the two-horse race between Oxford Harlequins and Grove at the top of Southern Counties North, it is likely to be Witney, who staked their claim with a 40-8 victory over Buckingham.

Witney led 22-3 at half-time thanks to tries from scrum half Dave Wilsker, No 8 Martin Lyall, lock John Williams and loose head prop Dave Leatherbarrow. Francis Grant added one conversion.

Buckingham's brief spell of pressure brought them a try early in the second half, but Witney regained their composure as Grant slotted two penalties.

Witney added two tries in the final five minutes through pacy wingers Mark Blacker and Ben Dunmore, the second after good work by the pack. Grant added another conversion.