Grove’s players were shattered after having victory snatched away in an extended period of stoppage time in their enthralling South West 1 East match under the Newbury floodlights.

The hosts triumphed 23-20, but went into injury time trailing by seven points. A converted try levelled the scores before Newbury kicked the winning penalty in the tenth extra minute.

After Newbury scored an early penalty goal, Grove replied when Brendon White’s flipped pass set up a try for Tom Clipsham.

Fly half Harry Carr’s conversion put the visitors 7-3 ahead.

 

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Newbury’s left wing sailed over for a converted try which gave them a three-point advantage at the break.

They doubled this with another penalty early in the second half.

Again Grove responded, with debutant winger Tom Wells sending White over for a try.

A penalty by Carr, plus a close-range try from prop Cash Chilvers, who charged over put Grove in command at 20-13.

A converted try enabled Newbury to level the scores before that late, late penalty condemned Grove to defeat.

Witney were unable to maintain the pressure after an excelent first half and fell 24-7 away to third-placed Windsor.

Under the shadow of Windsor Castle, Witney seemed inspired and took a 7-0 lead with a jinking try from fly half Matt Clarke.

Henry Lamb, who missed three penalty goal attempts, converted for 7-0.

Just before half-time, the hosts replied with an unconverted try from their scrum half.

After taking a 12-7 lead with a try next to the posts, Windsor dominated the match and moved out of reach with two well-constructed tries, one of which was converted.

In the last 15 minutes, Witney found new energy, but basic errors and over-eagerness spoiled their chances.

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