FLY half Sam Watkinson played a starring role as Oxford Harlequins sealed a dramatic 27-26 victory over local rivals Witney at Marston Ferry Road on Saturday.

Watkinson contributed 17 points and was instrumental in Ben Douglas’s match-winning try in the South West 1 East clash.

Witney headed into the match on a two-match winning run and there was little to separate the sides in a game that could have gone either way.

Harlequins suffered two blows early on, with No 8 Angus Milton sin-binned and captain Allan Purchase forced off with a back injury.

But it was the hosts who took the lead on 18 minutes as Axel Poulet crossed in the corner and Watkinson converted for 7-0.

The visitors pulled level on 26 minutes when Sam Collins forced his way over and Henry Lamb added the extras.

Indiscipline cost Quins again as Kyle Sharp was binned, but the visitors could not take advantage.

Watkinson slotted a penalty to give the hosts a three-point advantage.

But it was Witney who led at half-time as Dave Hyde dived over for 12-10.

The visitors missed an opportunity to extend their lead at the start of the second half as Lamb’s attempted penalty sailed wide.

And after Witney gave away a penalty on their five-metre line, Quins tapped and found Watkinson, who jinked past two players to go over.

He added the extras for 17-12.

Witney hit back on 59 minutes with Lamb converting his own try to make it 19-17.

The topsy-turvy pattern continued as Watkinson’s penalty nudged Quins ahead on 73 minutes, before the match then looked to turn in Witney’s favour.

Jack Robinson was sin-binned for offside at a ruck and after a Witney line-out, Hyde powered over for his second try and the bonus point.

Lamb kicked the extras for 26-20.

But there was one last twist as Watkinson broke forward for Quins and sent Douglas clear to score with two minutes to go.

Watkinson converted and Quins held on.

Grove suffered a 16-10 defeat at unbeaten Newbury Blues in a match that saw seven yellow cards and a red.

Mike Martin’s penalty and Rory Gratwohl’s converted try hauled Grove back into the game at 13-10.

But a penalty on the hour mark proved enough to help Newbury seal victory.

Tom Clipsham, Ollie Rees, Joe Chilvers and Cash Chilvers were sin-binned for Grove.

Cash Chilvers was red carded after a brawl at the end of the match.