OXFORD Harlequins moved off the bottom of the table with a hard-fought 19-13 win over local rivals Banbury at Marston Ferry Road.

Tries from Will Roberts, Matt Edney and Ollie Jenner helped Quins to back-to-back victories in South West 1 East, while Bulls were made to settle for a losing bonus point.

Similar to their Oxfordshire Cup tie last season, the forwards battle proved crucial.

Banbury enjoyed the majority of the territory in the first half and took a 6-0 lead through two Ed Phillips penalties.

But Quins made the most of a rare spell of pressure to edge in front at the break, as winger Roberts burst through on 34 minutes. Jenner added the extras.

The visitors hit back shortly after half-time, as centre Jack Briggs raced over and Phillips converted.

However, Quins went on to dominate and prop Edney burrowed over to make it 14-13, before they extended their lead with a hint of good fortune.

Fly half Jenner blocked Phillips’s clearance kick and, after the ball came back off the corner flag, was able to dot down unopposed.

He converted the first score as Quins led 19-13 with 17 minutes to go.

Banbury had a chance to put pressure on the hosts late on, but Sam Stoop’s attempted kick to the corner travelled over the dead-ball line and out of play as Quins went on to earn their first home win of the season.

Witney earned a 33-17 victory at Royal Wootton Bassett.

A George Lewis penalty put the visitors in front, but they trailed 14-3 after 29 minutes as Eyle Darragh and Dan Rees crossed.

David Hogg converted both tries.

The west Oxfordshire side reduced the deficit to four points at the break when Ryan Harris went over and Lewis added the extras.

A Hogg penalty extended Bassett’s lead, before Witney took charge.

Lewis added a penalty, before Gareth Campbell went over for an unconverted try to make it 18-17.

Lewis Collins then crossed twice, with fly-half Lewis, who also kicked another penalty, adding the extras for the first, to complete the scoring.

Grove suffered a 48-10 defeat at Old Centralians.