South West 2 East report

After back-to-back league titles, Witney knew life would be tough this season and this really came home when they lost 30-12 at home to Abbey on Saturday.

Abbey's attacks had been thwarted by sound Witney defence but they managed to conjure up some space for their winger to go over to take an eight-point lead after an early penalty.

Witney kept in touch with the first of skipper Paul Thomas's hat-trick of first-half penalties, but Abbey seemed better organised and were rewarded with two more tries before the interval.

At half-time, Abbey led 18-9, but Witney took the game to their opponents, with Jez Hicks and Jez Habberley both starting to win better line-out ball.

Gary Wicks also showed up well in his debut as Witney's forwards pressurised their visitors. All they could muster was a further penalty from Thomas.

Abbey, though, scored twice more to make it a convincing victory.