Oxford Harlequins 22, Old Patesians 36

Any lingering hopes Oxford Harlequins had of finishing second in National 3 South West were dispelled as Old Patesians’ pack ground them into submission.

Victory could have taken Quins to within eight points of the visitors, but they were forced to live off scraps.

The hosts scored the more exciting tries and fly half Jeff Stewart had a poor game with his tactical and place kicking.

But Old Pats were supremely well-drilled and patient.

Patesians threatened thro-ugh their scrum half Nellie Webber on six minutes, but took the lead soon afterwards with a penalty try, converted by fly half Adam Seager.

The hosts hit back immediately when Stewart finished in the right corner after No 8 Jason Welburn had broken through the middle.

Patesians struck again on 23 minutes, No 8 James Pettigrew touching down after a 20-metre driving maul.

Seager converted and his side should soon have been further ahead, but full back Barney Pascall knocked on as he tried to gather Webber’s clever chip ahead.

Quins had Welburn sin-binned and then saw their seven-man pack comprehensively driven off their own scrum ball, but Pettigrew was yellow-carded after Nutt went close on the right.

Quins looked to have blown their chance after losing the line-out, but quick-thinking lock Andy Boyle charged down Seager’s attempted clearance and scored.

Patesians twice threatened through wing Jack Robinson and Seager, who almost pounced when Stewart’s sloppy kick was charged down.

But a risky pass from Robinson gifted Quins possession in stoppage time and they skilfully kept the ball alive for Nutt to cross on the right.

On 47 minutes, superb forward pressure ended with Patesians prop Simon Brown forcing his way over and Seager converting.

Three minutes later, Pascall scored on the left and Seager converted.

Nutt popped up to create a try out of nothing on 68 minutes.

His break, from inside his own half, split the visitors open before flanker Ryan Newman took the pass and fed full back Huw Jones to score.

Stewart’s conversion meant Quins momentarily had two bonus points, but they soon shot themselves in the foot.

Jones was forced into touch near his own line and naively handed Patesians the ball.

The visitors took a quick line-out, with replacement scrum half Geraint Davies touching down all too easily.

Seager slotted a penalty in stoppage time.

Oxford Harlequins: H Jones, Nutt, Cope, Maley, Ricker (Andre 60), Stewart, Sewell, Eckert (capt), Needham, DeLange (capt) (Boulton 77), Cross (Purchase 61), Boyle, Newman, Knapp, Welburn.

Referee: D Neagle (Hampshire).

Quins-of-the-match: Nutt.