TONI Turetta scored a hat-trick of tries as Oxford Harlequins kick-started 2019 with a dominant 38-12 victory at home to Stratford-upon-Avon.

The winger had not crossed since November, but took his tally to 11 for the season as the hosts ran riot to record back-to-back wins in South West 1 East.

Quins led by 28 unanswered points at the break, with Turetta and Chris Davies both crossing twice, James Stacey converting.

Witney Gazette:

  • Chris Davies (left) celebrates one of his two tries for Oxford Harlequins Picture: Richard Cave

Turetta completed his hat-trick, before Rory Garrett also crossed as the hosts made it 38-0 after 53 minutes.

Stratford replied through Angus Wightman and Elliot Smith, Charlie Powell converting the first, but Quins were already out of sight.

Third-placed Banbury staged a dramatic late comeback to beat Chippenham 42-41 and make it seven league wins in a row.

Bulls trailed by 13 points midway through the second half.

But they fought back and Ed Phillips converted Sam Stoop’s late try to land victory.

Witney Gazette:

  • Sam Stoop dives over in the last minute to the delight of his Banbury teammates Picture: Simon Grieve

Early scores from Ed Berridge and Tommy Gray, Phillips adding the extras, put Banbury 14-0 in front.

But Chippenham hit back to lead 19-14, when Matt Dickens, Tom Fogerty and Charlie Quarren-Evans went over, Louis Ayliffe converting twice.

Banbury, though, hit back to go 28-19 ahead at the break, thanks to tries from Berridge and Stoop, Phillips adding the extras.

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Chippenham refused to lie down and opened up a 41-28 lead, when Unwin (2) and Oli Alcorn crossed, Ayliffe, who also kicked a penalty, converting twice.

However, Banbury were not finished and they stunned their hosts to take the lead with just minutes remaining.

Phillips converted his own try to reduce the arrears to six points, before the nerveless scrum-half was on target again to clinch a thrilling win after Stoop had burst over.

  • Sam Stoop crosses in the last minute as Banbury earn victory at Chippenham Video: Banbury RUFC

Struggling Witney fell to a 53-5 defeat at Beaconsfield.

The heavy loss leaves them third from bottom and six points adrift of safety.

It could have been worse for Witney, but Salisbury missed the opportunity to extend the gap in their defeat at Royal Wootton Bassett.

Tries from James Findlay and Idrusu Labri, Aled Lewis converting, put Beaconsfield 14-0 ahead.

Witney replied through Jack Birks, but that was as good as it got.

Dan Cady (2), Matt Brown (2), Freddy Pugh and Ladri then crossed as Beaconsfield stormed to victory.

Lewis converted three of the tries and kicked a penalty.