ED Berridge scored a hat-trick of tries as Banbury recorded their biggest win of the season when beating Swindon 89-0 away from home.

The win keeps Bulls’ faint promotion hopes alive as they still trail Old Centralians, who occupy South West 1 East’s sole play-off spot, by four points with three games remaining.

Duncan Leese racked up an impressive 34-point haul as he crossed twice and converted 12 of Banbury’s 13 tries against their relegated hosts.

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  • Banbury's Ed Berridge dots down for one of his three tries against Swindon Picture: Simon Grieve

Bulls led 40-0 at the break, thanks to scores from Berridge (2), Leese, Dan Kirwin, Dan Brady and Ian Isham.

Banbury’s dominance continued after the break.

Leese, Berridge, Justin Parker, Brady, Tommy Gray, Jack Briggs and Kirwin dived over for a dominant bonus-point win.

Witney are on the brink of relegation after a 59-14 defeat at Old Centralians.

They are now 11 points adrift of safety with a maximum of 15 available.

The hosts raced into a 33-14 lead at the break, George Bvuma (2), Tim Wilcox, Ross Hannaford and Ryan Townsend crossing, Wayne Mulhearn converting four times.

Witney’s tries were scored by Dan Wakeman and Matt Clarke, Ted Landray adding the extras.

Old Cents dominated the second half, with Lewis May (2), Hannaford and Bvuma crossing, Mulhearn kicking three conversions.

Oxford Harlequins earned a bonus point as they pushed champions Newbury Blues all the way in a 36-25 home defeat.

Kieran De Lange’s try put the hosts in front, before the leaders hit back to lead 12-5, Alex Bancroft converting his own score and Harvey North going over.

Quins hit back through Freddie Myatt.

But two lapses in concentration proved costly as Toby Thorne and Rory Jones crossed, Dan Thorne converting, to make it 24-10.

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  • Freddie Myatt breaks a tackle for Oxford Harlequins against Newbury Blues Picture: Ric Mellis

Quins responded brilliantly to close to within four points after the break when James Stacey and Myatt dived over.

But two quick tries from Jones and Dan Thorne, the latter converting once, made it 36-20.

The game was out of sight, but Quins had the last say when Ed Tolley crossed.

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