IN-FORM Witney dug deep to earn the derby day spoils on Saturday, edging Oxford Harlequins 11-7 in a well contested encounter at Hailey Road.

Keni Fisilau’s converted try gave the visitors an early lead, but Henry Lamb went on to kick six points and Matt Clarke crossed the whitewash as the west Oxfordshire side extended their winning run to six games.

The victory leaves Witney third in South West 1 East, while Quins remain sixth after picking up a losing bonus point.

The visitors started the better, winning a lineout on Witney’s 22-metre line, before centre Fisilau danced through for a try under the posts on seven minutes.

Sam Watkinson added the extras to make it 7-0.

But Witney responded well and after No 8 Charlie Bennett’s break, they won a penalty for offside at a ruck and fly half Lamb slotted the penalty on 13 minutes.

Soon after the hosts were awarded another penalty and from the resulting line-out the ball was spun out to Clarke.

The centre then jinked past two defenders and outpaced the backline to touch down for an unconverted score to make it 8-7.

Witney were pressing and captain Gareth Campbell was tackled just short of the line, leading to Quins No 8 Fotu Latu being sent to the sin bin for stopping the release.

Lamb kicked the penalty to make it 11-7 at the break.

Quins went on the offensive in the second half and were camped inside Witney’s 22.

But they were unable to reach the try line as prop Pete Boulton was held up and Latu was stopped short.

Despite the visitors’ best efforts, Witney defended solidly and held out for victory.

Meanwhile, Grove suffered a narrow 6-0 defeat at home to fourth-placed Newbury Blues.

The south Oxfordshire side are now without a victory since November 21.