RUGBY UNION: Quins crash to another heavy defeat (From Witney Gazette)

RUGBY UNION: Quins crash to another heavy defeat

10:00am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Rugby

National 3 South West

A NEW year did not bring a change of fortunes for struggling Oxford Harlequins, who lost 44-14 at Chippenham.

Full back Sam Saunders kicked Chippenham ahead with a sixth-minute penalty.

Quins suffered a major blow when an intereception in the home 22 saw wing Ryan Surry race clear for a try, converted by Saunders.

Chippenham lock Aaron Ascot and Quins debutant hooker Jon Direen were both yellow-carded following a flare-up.

Quins managed an interception try of their own when right wing Pita Halatokoua snatched the ball and off-loaded to centre Luke Evans, who scored, fly half Will Hilton converting.

Remarkably, Michael Baptiste scored a second interception try for Chippenham, Saunders converting.

No 8 Bobby Lyons exploited slack marking to put the hosts 22-7 ahead at half-time.

It was all over by 44 minutes as Quins conceded soft tries to flanker Frazer Clilverd and Surry, Saunders converting the latter.

Quins exerted some decent pressure, with prop Matt Edney standing out in the loose and lock Luke Browne in the lineout, but Chippenham second row Matt Bye drove over on 76 minutes.

The visitors conjured up a second try after Evans’s long run saw full back Harry Whittington score in style and Hilton convert.

But there was still time for Cliverd to go over for his brace.