GUY Nicholl scored a hat-trick of tries as Grove crossed eight times to beat Windsor 48-28 at Cane Lane.

The sides shared 12 tries in the South West 1 East clash as Grove stretched their winning run to three matches.

Nicholl’s try and a Danny Ferguson conversion handed Grove a 7-0 lead on five minutes, but Windsor levelled.

And with still less than ten minutes on the clock, Joe Chilvers crossed.

Ferguson added the extras to make it 14-7.

Grove were on a high and Rory Gratwohl crashed over for an unconverted try, before the visitors struck back to take the score to 19-14.

Windsor then took the lead with a converted try, but the hosts led 26-21 at the break when Ferguson crossed and added the extras.

The south Oxfordshire side opened the second half with unconverted scores from Ben Law and Nicholl, before Windsor picked up their four-try bonus point to make it 36-28.

But Grove were in control and Ferguson claimed his second try and Nicholl pounced to complete his hat-trick.

Ferguson converted to make it 48-28 and, despite losing Cash Chilvers to the sin-bin late on, victory was never in doubt.

In Southern Counties North, Wallingford rescued a 26-26 draw at home to Thatcham.

Ralph Smith’s score and a converted penalty try gave the hosts a 12-0 lead.

But they went into half-time 21-12 down after Thatcham scored three converted tries.

James Norris dived over for the hosts and Phil Dawes added the extras.

Thatcham extended their lead with an unconverted try, but Norris went over again and Dawes converted.

Didcot hammered Oxford 69- 12 to go second in the BB&O Championship. Ronnie Booth, Andy Pynegar and Josh Witts all crossed twice early on.

Grant Adams, Matt Collingwood, Thomas Kennedy and Justin Sammüller also scored.

Witts kicked 17 points from the boot, while John Stephens landed a conversion.

Harwell edged past Berkshire Shire Hall 22-19.

James Hoskyns-Jones (2) and Rob Douglas crossed.

Mike Phillips kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Faringdon beat Aldermaston 19-0.

Meanwhile, Abingdon suffered a 17-0 defeat to Milton Keynes in the BB&O Premier.