GROVE returned to winning ways in Southern Counties South with a convincing 45-14 triumph over Swindon College Old Boys.

The previous weekend’s defeat at Swindon was still fresh in the memory during an even opening quarter, with the visitors striking first through a converted try.

But Grove began to turn the screw and Ali McCarthy touched down before adding the extras himself.

Scores from Ben Nicholl and Steve Dixey, both converted by McCarthy, gave them a 21-7 lead at half-time.

Guy Nicholl secured the bonus point when he crossed shortly after the restart for his twelfth try of the season.

Grove cruised to victory with further scores by Luke Matthews, Ben Law and Kieran Lambourn, McCarthy twice adding the extras, before the visitors crossed for another converted try on 70 minutes.

Witney’s 100 per cent record in Southern Counties North remains unblemished, thanks to their 33-10 triumph over Stow-on-the-Wold.

Callum Godfrey continued his excellent form with an unconverted 15th-minute try, before a penalty for the visitors reduced the deficit.

The hosts piled on the pressure and Rhys Morgan crossed, Tom Puddle adding the extras to make it 12-3 at the break.

Second-half tries from Puddle and Ryan Harris increased the lead, the former twice adding the extras.

But some poor defending saw Stow cross for a converted try to make it 26-10, before Godfrey scored his second try, Puddle adding the two points.

Bicester were outplayed in a 63-8 home defeat to Reading.

The hosts went 14-0 down early on but reduced the gap to six points through Reece Sullivan’s try and a Dan Walker penalty.

But converted scores either side of half-time saw Reading lead 28-8.

The visitors were soon out of sight, with five converted tries completing the rout.

Didcot were edged out 22-19 at home to High Wycombe, while Wallingford lost 41-15 at Shipston on Stour.

In the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier, Chipping Norton climbed to second with a 33-0 home triumph over Hungerford.

Abingdon went down 41-26 at home to leaders Milton Keynes and are now just three points above fifth-placed Wheatley, who beat Slough 30-22.

Oxford were beaten 60-7 at Tadley, while neither Gosford All Blacks nor Littlemore played.