WITNEY failed to leapfrog Newbury Blues into third place as they lost 25-17 in a bad-tempered affair.

A Dan Thorne penalty got Newbury up and running in the South West 1 East clash, but Witney took a 5-3 lead when Jake Thomas crossed.

Newbury's Josh Winfield crashed over, Thorne adding the extras, before the latter kicked a penalty and crossed for a try to make it 18-5.

That lead was cut when Witney were awarded a penalty try. Henry Lamb converted.

Witney's Charlie Dyde was then sin-binned, before captain Gareth Campbell and a Blues prop were yellow carded after a punch-up.

Newbury made it 25-12 when Matt Horne went over and Thorne added the extras.

The visitors put the last score on the board when Arron Lambourne touched down for an unconverted try.

Oxford Harlequins went down 34-3 at Towcestrians.

Huw Dimond's penalty gave Quins an early 3-0 lead.

But a James Falvey three-pointer, Craig Holton's score, a penalty try, and Ben Roe's touchdown made it 22-3.

Falvey converted twice.

Alex Chalcroft and Matt Yuill tries, the latter's converted by Falvey, secured the win for the league leaders.

Grove were unable to make it two league wins in a row, losing 32-18 at High Wycombe.