GROVE earned a crucial 14-13 victory over basement boys Bicester to climb four points above the South West 1 East relegation zone.
Benny Davies crossed twice in the first half, Dave Maryon converting both, as the visitors led 14-3 at the break.
Dan Spencer had kicked a penalty for the hosts after the opening try.
Grove’s Guy Nicholl was sin-binned and Bicester took advantage with Spencer and Charlie Bethell going over.
But neither try was crucially converted as the visitors dug deep for victory.
Banbury beat Marlow 51-7 at home.
Jack Briggs, Ian Isham, Tommy Gray and Jacob Mills went over to make it 29-0.
Marlow scored a converted try after the break, but Banbury’s dominance continued.
George Grieve (2), Pete Boulton and Sam Stoop crossed.
Ed Phillips kicked four conversions and a penalty.
- Winger George Grieve crosses in the corner for his first try during Banbury's win over Marlow Picture: Simon Grieve
Witney earned a 12-7 home win over third-placed Chippenham.
Phil Thomas kicked a drop-goal and three penalties to make it 12-0 after 56 minutes.
The visitors scored a converted try and piled on the pressure, but Witney held on for a deserved victory.
- Deaglan Bayliss is caked in mud as he charges forward for Witney during their impressive win over Chippenham Picture: Robert Fisk
Fourteen-man Oxford Harlequins moved up to fourth with a 29-12 win at Swindon.
The hosts scored an early try, but Ed Yeats went over, Jack Wiggins adding the extras, for the vistiors.
Quins’ Fotu Latu was red-carded on 19 minutes.
However, James Stacey dived over, Wiggins converting, to make it 14-5, only for Marlow to hit back just before half-time.
Yeats and Huw Dimond crossed for Quins, before Wiggins, who converted the first, kicked a late penalty.
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