A LATE Oxford Harlequins comeback at Royal Wootton Bassett could not prevent a 34-33 defeat in South West 1 East.

The hosts opened the scoring with an unconverted try, before Rhys Painton touched down to level the scores.

Quins then had a nightmare two minutes, conceding a converted try before Archie van Dijk was red-carded.

This seemed to spur the visitors on and Joel Hopkins drove over, Ed Yeates converting, before Callum Cashman touched down.

The hosts hit back with a converted score to lead 19-17 at the break, but two Yeates penalties put Quins ahead.

A converted try gave the home side a 26-23 lead, before a penalty and a try made it 34-23 with four minutes remaining.

Yeates kicked a penalty and converted Matt White’s try, but the visitors just fell short.

Banbury Bulls produced a professional performance to beat Beaconsfield 35-12.

The Oxfordshire side had several players unavailable but started well, Tom Burman touching down after Jack Briggs found a gap.

Ed Phillips added the conversion and soon kicked another two points after Tommy Gray intercepted on the halfway line and sprinted over.

Justin Parker scored Banbury’s third try after he was played in by Joel Thomas, the reliable Phillips making it 21-0.

The away side did not give up hope and were rewarded by an unconverted score in added time at the end of the half to trail by 16 points at the break.

They further reduced the deficit after the break, the hosts knocking on outside their 22 and Beaconsfield pouncing on the mistake for a converted try.

Banbury were soon back in the groove and Thomas and Burman went over, Phillips converting twice.