WITNEY’S hopes of escaping relegation were dealt a major blow when they fell to a 31-19 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Swindon.

The loss leaves the west Oxfordshire side 11 points adrift of safety in South West 1 East with six games to go.

Witney had headed into the contest confident of closing the gap against a Swindon side, who started the weekend bottom of the table.

But they were made to pay for an error-ridden display.

Witney Gazette:

  • Carl Strutt goes on the run during Witney's defeat at home to Swindon Picture: Ric Mellis

The visitors led 17-0 at the break when Adam Westall converted his own try and Mike Thompson crossed twice.

Witney hit back to within five points when Scott Mortimer and Tom Gaffney dived over, Ted Landray converting the latter.

But their comeback did not last long as Thompson completed his hat-trick, Westall adding the extras.

Witney replied again when Wayne Caffekey went over, Landray converting.

But Swindon were out of sight when Pete Kwel crossed, Westall adding the extras.

Banbury kept their promotion hopes alive with a 45-14 win at home to Royal Wootton Bassett.

Bulls have moved up to third, but they remain six points behind second-placed Old Centralians, who occupy the play-off spot.

Banbury raced into a 21-0 lead when Jack Briggs, Callum Horne and Dan Brady crossed, Duncan Leese converting.

  • Jack Briggs scores Banbury's opening try in their victory over Royal Wootton Bassett Video: Banbury RUFC

The visitors replied just before half-time, Sam Davies touching down and Thomas Fieldsend adding the extras.

Tommy Gray secured the bonus point for Banbury after the break, Leese converting.

Bassett responded through Charlie Hix, Fieldsend adding the extras.

But Ed Phillips kicked a penalty, before converting tries from Sam Stoop and Briggs as Banbury eased home.

Witney Gazette:

  • Jack Briggs crosses for his second try during Banbury's victory at home to Royal Wootton Bassett Picture: Simon Grieve

Oxford Harlequins lost 43-29 at Beaconsfield.

The hosts took the lead through Matt Brown, Alex Lewis converting.

But Quins went 12-7 in front when Allan Purchase and Johnny Henderson crossed, Toni Turetta converting once.

Beaconsfield opened up a 24-12 lead, thanks to tries from Brown, Lewis, who kicked one conversion, and Idrush Labri.

Quins reduced the arrears to five points at the break when Martin Nutt drove over, Turetta adding the extras.

Alex Enright crossed twice for the hosts, Lewis converting once, but Quins replied both times through Matt White and Noel O’Brian.

The game was in the balance at 36-29, but Labri dived over in the last play, Lewis adding the extras, to deny the visitors at least a losing bonus point.