Chipping Norton maintained their 100 per cent record by edging out hosts Grove in the EDF Energy Senior Vase.

Having been unbeaten at Cane Lane for 22 months, Grove have now lost there twice on the bounce.

This third round south west encounter was all about passion and commitment, which Chippy managed throughout to deservedly edge through.

Grove outscored the visitors three tries to two, but they couldn't sustain an attacking platform for long enough and conceded too many penalties.

Chippy captain Jon Hickman led his side by example at No 8 as they closed out a match they had never been behind in.

The first quarter was largely cagey with neither side gaining much control.

Grove passed up a kickable penalty on 15 minutes and wasted the catch-and-drive chance when hooker Steve Dixey's lineout throw wasn't straight.

Hickman was already prominent with his driving runs and almost created the opening try when he scythed through after 22 minutes, but scrum half Hayden Hamilton couldn't hold the pass.

The visitors didn't have long to wait, however, as fly half Adam Smith fed full back Barry Nutt with a well-delayed scoring pass to cap a period of real pressure.

Smith converted from near the touchline, but Grove soon responded.

Flanker Carl Alder showed great strength to twist over following a close range lineout.

Prop Tom Beauchamp made a vital interception after a break from Chippy flanker Matt Dawson before Smith turned down a straight-forward kick at goal.

Chippy's coaching team weren't happy, but Grove never relieved the pressure and visiting wing Craig Korszewski finished powerfully on the left.

Grove brought on regular scrum half Paul Maryon at the break, but were still regularly conceding penalties.

Two successful kicks from Smith made it 18-5 and Chippy looked in control.

But they had prop Lee Tustin sin-binned on 58 minutes as they tried to defend Grove's driving maul and the match swung again.

No 8 Jamie Fredericks drove over following another powerful scrum and Roger Sevier converted for 18-12.

Smith slotted a second penalty soon afterwards, but his side were now on the back foot.

Grove centre Ben Nicholl was stopped just short after good work from Paul Maryon and Dave Johnson.

Two minutes later Fredericks bagged his second score from an old-fashioned pushover try, Roger Sevier again converting.

With 15 minutes to go it was 21-19 and the nerves were jangling.

Chippy gained good field position, but Smith conceded a penalty for some back chat to referee Keith Latham.

Paul Maryon was yellow-carded for an alleged trip as the pressure mounted.

Crucially for Chippy, they were able to pin Grove back in their own half.

The penalties kept coming and Smith slotted the decisive kick in stoppage time.

Grove mounted a desperate late assault, but saw replacement flanker Jason Whyte red-carded for dissent on the final whistle.

Grove: D Maryon, Lewis (P Maryon 40), Johnson (capt), B Nicholl, Burns, N Sevier (Whyte 55), R Sevier, Bashford, S Dixey (Wallbridge 75), Beauchamp, Grant, Harpwood, Alder, G Nicholl, Fredericks.

Chipping Norton: B Nutt, Townsend, Hall, A Tustin, Korszewski, Smith, Hamilton, Pope (Chapman 69), Waldron, L Tustin, Hancock, Hawken, Gillett (Woodward 59), M Dawson, Hickman (capt).

Referee: K Latham (Oxfordshire).

Man-of-the-match: Hickman.