A YOUTHFUL Oxford Harlequins were unable to make it seven games unbeaten as they lost 19-9 at second-placed Salisbury.

The defeat saw Quins drop three places to seventh in South West 1 East amongst a tight midfield pack.

With the main pitch at Salisbury flooded, they were forced to play on another rugby field unaffected by the recent wet weather.

In a hard-fought encounter, the hosts started strongly and two Tom Lane penalties gave them a 6-0 lead after nine minutes.

A three-pointer from Huw Dimond put Quins on the scoreboard with 27 minutes played and he slotted another penalty to draw the sides level at half-time.

Salisbury started the second period as brightly as they had the first, scoring a try three minutes after the restart.

Prop Gareth Blackborow crossed and Lane added the extras to make it 13-6.

The hosts stretched their lead seven minutes later with a Lane penalty.

Quins pressed hard and were unlucky not to score when No 8 Fotu Latu looked to have been driven over.

Dimond landed a penalty to reduce the host’s lead to 16-9, but the reliable boot of Lane ensured Salisbury stretched their advantage back to ten points.

The visitors attacked strongly in the closing stages, but it was not to be Quins day.

On Saturday, they look to maintain their unbeaten record at Marston Ferry Road when they host Leighton Buzzard.

Grove were unable to kickstart 2016 with a victory as they were comprehensively beaten 53-0 by leaders Towcestrians at Cane Lane.

Craig Burrows’ side are now without a victory since November 21 and on a five-match winless run.

They travel to sixth-placed Maidenhead this weekend.