BANBURY’S seven-match winning league run came to an end in a 32-29 defeat at home to play-off rivals Marlborough.

Bulls slipped to fifth, but are just four points behind second-placed Old Centralians.

Epeli Kotobalavu’s try put Marlborough 5-0 in front.

But Ian Isham crossed twice, Ed Phillips, who kicked a penalty, converting once, as Banbury hit back to lead 15-5.

Marlborough cut the lead to five points at the break, when Kotobalavu drove over again.

A Jake Williams penalty further cut the gap, but Banbury hit back to lead 22-13, thanks to Tom Burman’s try, Phillips adding the extras.

  • Banbury's Matt Goode puts in a big hit to set up Tom Burman's try against Marlborough Video: Banbury RUFC

But the game turned when Phillips was sin-binned and Sam Stoop went off injured.

Marlborough scored three quick tries through Ben Fulton, Amori Nailago and Kotobalavu, Williams converting twice, to make it 32-22.

Ed Berridge crossed late on for Bulls, Phillips converting, but they had to settle for two bonus points.

Oxford Harlequins made it three wins in a row when beating Swindon 34-26.

The visitors took a 21-0 lead after tries from Martin Nutt, Toni Turetta and Rory Garrett, who converted all three.

Ken Hodgson crossed for Swindon, Adam Westall adding the extras, but a Garrett penalty saw Quins go 24-7 up.

Ash Taylor went over for the visitors after the break.

But Quins hit back to lead 34-12, through Garrett’s penalty and conversion, after debutant Arron Gill crossed.

Swindon scored two late consolation tries through Andreas Bonichelli and Westall, the latter converting both.

Witney are eight points adrift of safety after losing at home to fellow strugglers Salisbury 24-22.

A Ted Landray penalty put the hosts in front, but Salisbury led 17-3 at the break as Boyd Rouse slotted a drop-goal, having converted Joe Tully and Richard Sharp tries.

Witney made it 17-17, thanks to scores from Rikki Dore and Scott Mortimer, Landray adding the extras.

Salisbury hit back through Dave Tonge’s try, Tonge converting, to go 24-17 up.

Andy Melbourne went over late on, but the conversion was missed as they fell short.