GROVE battled to a 19-5 victory over Swanage & Wareham to maintain their flawless record in Southern Counties South.

The Oxfordshire side dominated from start to finish to make it six wins from six.

Both teams had to contend with difficult conditions at Cane Lane, with a string of handling errors at key moments scuppering Grove’s chances of taking an early lead.

It took them until five minutes before half-time to get on the board, Steve Dixey driving over for an unconverted try.

Guy Nicholl touched down early in the second half, with Ollie Nicholl adding the extras, to give Grove a 12-0 lead.

But a yellow card for Paul Miles halted their momentum and the visitors took advantage, their unconverted try cutting the deficit.

With 15 minutes to go victory was still far from confirmed, but another Guy Nicholl try, again converted by Ollie Nicholl, was enough to seal the points.

Witney also continue to boast a 100 per cent record after beating Reading 26-8 in Southern Counties North.

Arron Lambourne set the ball rolling when he touched down after a driving maul, Tom Puddle converting to give the hosts a dream start.

The visitors responded well and cut the deficit with a penalty under the posts, before an unconverted try in the corner gave Reading a shock 8-7 lead.

Witney edged ahead through Lloyd Allen’s unconverted score to make it 12-8 at the break and they took control in the second half.

Callum Godfrey touched down twice and Puddle added the extras to give the hosts a valuable bonus-point win.

Witney host Grove in the preliminary round of the Oxfordshire Cup tomorrow.

Wallingford won 12-7 at home against Reading Abbey to climb to fourth.

Didcot fought back from ten points down to force a dramatic 16-16 draw at Chesham and avoid defeat for the first time this season.

Bicester’s match against High Wycombe was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

In the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier, Gosford All Blacks made it six wins from six with a 26-7 victory at Bletchley.

Chipping Norton are breathing down their necks after beating Drifters 48-0, while Abingdon returned to winning ways with a 26-10 triumph over Hungerford.

Wheatley beat Oxford 35-10 in their derby and Littlemore’s trip to Tadley was cancelled, with the hosts awarded a walkover.