SOUTH WEST 1 EAST

GROVE blew away their Buckingham bogey with an emphatic 44-24 victory at Cane Lane.

They had narrowly lost in every match against Buckingham since February 2007, but ended that run in style with wing Guy Nicholl grabbing a hat-trick in a six-try victory.

Home full back Roger Sevier kicked two penalties either side of an early Buckingham try.

Lock Richard Haire sidestepped through for Grove’s opening try, while wing Harry Carr added the first of his brace.

Haire set up Nicholl’s first, then centre Nick Sevier created his second, Roger Sevier converting all four.

In between, Buckingham managed a second try before Roger Sevier twice denied them with last-ditch tackles.

Nicholl completed his treble after the break and then drove a Buckingham player out of the goal area before he could touch down for a try.

The visitors did, however, add two more tries and a conversion either side of Carr’s second for Grove.

Leaders Oxford Harlequins won 36-12 at Swindon after the match was abandoned due to injury on 62 minutes.

Swindon lock Ian Reynolds suffered a neck injury, which led to a lengthy stoppage, but he got the all-clear in hospital.

As it was past the hourmark, the result will stand.

Centre Mike Lee’s try put Quins ahead, but fly half Adam Westall replied in kind.

No 8 Jackson Achilles, in his last game before returning home to New Zealand, and flanker Seisoni Tupou went over for Quins, with full back Will Hilton converting the latter.

Tries from fly half Zac Norris and Lee, converted by Hilton, made it 29-5 at the break.

Swindon hit back when No 8 Matt Broadbent went over for Westall to convert.

Quins lock Adam Neal bagged the final try, converted by Hilton, before the abandonment.