Witney put the season's past disappointments behind them to scramble into the David Charles Oxfordshire Cup semi-finals with the narrowest of victories at home to Oxford Harlequins on Sunday.

Witney are struggling in the South West 2 East relegation zone largely due to losing tight matches in the closing stages.

That nightmare seemed set to materialise again as Quins, trailing 16-10, scored a try deep into injury time.

But Paul Browne's tricky conversion attempt from the touchline drifted on the wind to leave Witney mightily relieved winners.

The decision to switch the game from Witney's waterlogged main ground, to the drier fourth pitch at the top of the hill, played into Quins hands, as they possessed the stronger backline.

In addition, the hosts were hit by the absence of skipper and quickest runner Paul Thomas, who injured himself 24 hours earlier when coming on as a replacement for the second team.

Witney were further disrupted when hooker Andy Merriman injured his shoulder in the second minute and was eventually replaced just before half-time.

By this time, Quins were 10-0 ahead and apparently cruising into the last four.

Their first try came after 25 minutes, when Witney lost possession in front of their posts, and Quins centre Dave Boreham put scrum half Nick Walker over for a simple try. Browne, who had already landed a penalty, converted.

After Quins' winger Steve Chadbone had seen a try disallowed for a foot in touch, Witney crucially got back into the game right on half-time.

Mounting pressure on Quins' line resulted a try from a tap penalty for No 8 Martin Lyall, which made it 10-5 at the break.

It was now that the worsening weather did Witney a big favour as the visitors not only had to play into the teeth of a violent squally shower, but had trouble catching the wet ball.

Witney, match hardened by playing a higher stand of rugby week-to-week, took the game by the scruff of the neck.

A well-worked move, which featured a great pick-up by centre Mike Dunbar, put winger Ben Dunmore over for a try in the left corner to level the scores.

With full back Luke Hollick adding two penalty goals, Witney seemed on course for victory.

But Quins refused to give up. Throwing caution to the wind, they worked the ball upfield, and lock Damian Todd followed up Steve Chadbone's break to touch down in the corner.

Browne's conversion attempt, although well struck, missed the target and Witney could start celebrating a rare victory.

Witney: Hollick, Phillips, Dunbar, Murray, Dunmore (Gidlow 48), Herbourn, Blackman, Gosling, Merriman (Aldridge 39), Wicks, Hicks, Habberley, Campbell, Worrall, Lyall.

Oxford Harlequins: GD Jones, Steve Chadbone, Boreham, J Cope, Pooler, GE Jones, Walker (A Cope 73), Molyneux, Simon Chadbone, Donnelly (Lennon 50), Todd, Price, A Jones, Browne, Newman (Nye 67).

Referee: A Davies (Oxon).