Banbury suffered a 48-7 defeat at home to Newark in Midlands 2 East after being hit by a first-half onslaught.

With a strong wind at their backs, Newark ran in six tries, four of which were converted, to lead 38-0 at the break.

Newark's exceptional pack left the Banbury defence in tatters, but the hosts still believed they could turn it around.

That hope was crushed by the visitors' seventh try, a unstoppable recycling move and one of the best seen at Bodicote Park for years.

Banbury showed character to stem the tide, but could only manage one try of their own - full back Pete Flemming converting his own solo effort after being fed by No 8 Simon Brand.

Newark bagged a final try to complete the win.

OTHER SCORERS

BB&O Premier A: Witney 2nds 37 (tries C Bennett 2, W Worrall, C Murray, S Aldridge, S Copperwheat; cons Copperwheat 2, pen Copperwheat), Buckingham 2nd 23; Bletchley 2nd 5, Oxford Harlequins 2nd 48 (tries S Chadbone 2, S Taylor 2, C Ashton, P Lafayeedney, J Wilson; cons M Riley 5; pen Riley).

BB&0 Division 1 South: Oxford Harlequins 3rd side 19 (tries T Yeates, M Jones, J Went; cons T Young 2), Aldermaston 0.