Centre Carl Strutt grabbed a hat-trick of tries as Witney went clear at the top of Southern Counties North after thumping Bicester 58-3 in a bruising derby at Hailey Road.

Bicester battled fairly well, but still suffered a nine-try deluge.

Witney captain James Lamb was set up by his brother Henry for the first try, full back Ed Mitchem converting and adding a penalty.

Strutt broke through to score try No 2, then ran in an interception score from halfway, with Mitchem converting for 22-0.

Lock Joe Rowles powered over, Mitchem converting.

Two minutes after the break, scrum half Gareth Campbell raced in for try No 5, Mitchem again converting.

Bicester knuckled down and produced their best period of the match, with centre Chris Nash and wing Leigh Rushworth going close.

Fly half Tom Barnes slotted a penalty to get the visitors on the board.

Strutt completed his try treble following Henry Lamb’s chip, then the latter put James Lamb over for his second, Mitchem converting.

There was still time for Gareth Campbell to bag a second try and wing James Monks to side-step through.

A depleted Grove slipped to third after losing 22-6 at Amersham & Chiltern.

Prop Richard Keen and lock Rob Weaving were unavailable on the morning of the match.

Amersham captain Dan Kinsey slotted the first of five successful penalties after three minutes.

A counter-attack ended with Grove No 8 Ben Nicholl being forced out deep in the Amersham half, but Kinsey soon converted a try from wing George Mitchard.

Fly half Roger Sevier made it 10-3 with a penalty, while Grove felt home hooker Stefaan Myburgh, a former Springbok triallist, was lucky to escape with a yellow card after a shoulder charge on Zach Grant.

Kinsey slotted a penalty just after the break, but Roger Sevier made it 13-6 with his second three-pointer.

Amersham’s pack took charge and only strong defence, led by wing Tom Harrington and flanker Jamie Fredericks, kept them out.

But three instances of dissent allowed Kinsey to slot three more penaties.

Chipping Norton saw Chris Dixon Dixon and Darren Warner deepen their injury crisis after a 12-0 defeat at Aylesbury.

Both players ended up in hospital on a miserable day for Chippy.