GROVE remain in trouble near the bottom of the table after they were beaten 42-10 by rivals Witney at Hailey Road.

The south Oxfordshire side are still three points above the South West 1 East relegation zone with two games remaining.

And they are in need of a victory in Saturday’s crunch match against second-bottom Reading at Cane Lane.

Witney led 12-0 after David Hyde and Charlie Bennett touched down and George Lewis converted.

Grove responded with Graham Crapper going over and Mike Martin adding the extras.

Lewis and Martin exchanged penalties as Witney led 15-10 after 32 minutes.

It was 20-10 at the break when Charlie Dyde crossed.

In the second half, Witney added tries from Dyde, Hyde and Aaron Lambourne, Lewis landing two conversions and a drop goal.

Meanwhile, Josh Witts played a starring role as Didcot clinched promotion to the BB&O Premier with a 33-20 victory over south Oxfordshire rivals Harwell.

Witts scored 18 points in the Championship clash, helping them secure second place behind runaway leaders Phoenix.

Didcot also completed a treble of wins over Harwell this season in the process.

Fourth-placed Harwell opened the scoring with a penalty, but four tries in the first half from Ben Tolson, Joe Leverson, Justin Sammuller and Witts gave Didcot a 26-10 lead at the break.

Witts added three conversions.

The second half was a closer affair, with Witts converting his second try.

Two converted scores, one being a penalty try, and two penalties saw Harwell close the gap, but Didcot eased in.