WITNEY beat Wimborne 36-22 to keep their slim survival hopes alive.

Fly-half Ted Landray played a starring role, scoring 21 points, as they moved to within six points of safety in South West 1 East with two games to go.

Victory would not have prevented relegation on its own and their bid was further boosted by next-placed side Trowbridge’s 62-12 defeat at Banbury.

Witney found themselves 8-0 down, thanks to Max Tipping’s penalty and Roy Maidment’s try.

The hosts hit back when Landray converted his own try, and they led 14-8 after 20 minutes when Jack Birks crossed, Landray kicking the extras.

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  • Witney fly-half Ted Landray dots down for one of his two tries against Wimborne Picture: Ric Mellis

But Wimborne deservedly headed into the break 15-14 in front after Maidment went over again, Tipping converting.

A Landray penalty put Witney back into the lead and he continued to star, crossing again and converting Alex Foggett’s effort, as they went 29-15 up.

Wimborne hit back in the final minute of normal time, Dec Foley crossing and Tipping converting.

But Witney made sure in the ninth minute of extra time when Dave Curry went over, Landray converting.

Banbury remain in the promotion picture after beating Trowbridge.

They remain four points behind Old Centralians, who occupy the sole play-off spot.

Bulls raced into a 12-0 lead, thanks to tries from Dan Kirwin and Joe Mills, Duncan Leese converting the second.

Wade Loftus sprinted over for Trowbridge, but the hosts made it 22-5 at half-time when Tommy Gray and Jack Briggs crossed.

Banbury’s dominance continued, with Pete Boulton, Leese, Callum Horne and Nick Pratt going over, Ed Phillips kicking three conversions.

Lee Fairclough then crossed for Trowbridge, but Banbury were not finished.

Kirwin and Briggs went over again, Phillips converting, to make it 62-12.

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  • Dan Kirwin scores his second try during Banbury's win over Trowbridge Picture: Simon Grieve

Oxford Harlequins lost 73-7 at Old Centralians.

Allan Purchase scored their only try, Rory Garrett converting, in a game where they lost Callum Cashman and Jack Crowe to injury.

George Bvuma (4), Ross Hannaford (3), Alex Cox (2), Sol Farrer, Josh Phillips, Wayne Mulhern, who kicked eight conversions, dived over.

Meanwhile, Gosford All Blacks were beaten 41-31 at Chesham in the BB&O Premier.

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