OXFORD Harlequins’ fight to avoid the drop got even tougher after they were convincingly beaten 65-5 by league leaders Redingensians.

Quins have dropped to second bottom in National 3 South West and are now seven points adrift of safety with three games remaining.

The task doesn’t get any easier for Quins as they travel to second-placed Exmouth this weekend.

On Saturday, they battled manfully, but were out of it by half-time with the visitors putting 43 points on the scoreboard.

They went behind in the sixth minute when Olly Poole breezed through under the posts, with James Brooks adding the extras.

Two minutes later it was 14-0 as full back Joe Duffelen went over. Brooks converted.

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Quins’ pack were holding their own with skipper Luke Brown prominent in the line out and No 8 Miller in the loose.

However, Brooks extended the lead with a penalty and, with Quins prop Ollie Barlow in the sin-bin, the Rams snatched their third try through James Baker.

Poole then scored his second, before Duffelen added another. Brooks converting both.

The visitors had the final say of the half as Olly Foxley went in under the posts.

Brooks added the extras.

After the break, Quins got themselves on the scoreboard as Rupert Cowan went over.

However, they were unable to build upon that try and momentum swung back in the visitors’ favour when Lloyd Willcocks was sin-binned.

Jack Steadman then steamed over the line and Luke Flower also touched down.

In the last few minutes, Azza Hopkins and Will Clarke dived over the whitewash, with Brooks converting the latter score.