WITNEY put in a below-par performance to lose 21-16 at Reading and suffer their first defeat of the season.

The hosts took control and opened up a 13-0 lead in the South West 1 East clash, thanks to two unconverted tries and a penalty.

But a rare period of pressure saw Witney’s Deaglan Bartlis pushed over for an unconverted try to cut the deficit at the break.

Matt Clarke slotted a penalty at the start of the second half.

Reading responded with three points to make it 16-8, but Arron Lambourne’s unconverted score boosted Witney’s hopes.

However, the home side hit back with a try to make it 21-13, before a Clarke penalty set up a tense finish.

Witney pushed for a further score, but had Clarke sin-binned late on.

Oxford Harlequins remain bottom after a 22-10 defeat at home to Reading Abbey.

Maurice O’Connell drove over for the visitors on six minutes, with Joe Murphy adding the extras.

But Quins responded through Keni Fisilau’s try, which Huw Dimond converted to make it 7-7.

Murphy kicked a penalty and added the extras after Oliver Lovett’s score to give Reading a 17-7 lead.

Huw Dimond was on target with a penalty for Quins before the break.

There was only one score in the second half as Abbey’s Michael Kruzycki drove over for an unconverted try.

Banbury suffered a 38-0 defeat at league leaders Maidenhead.

The north Oxon side conceded four tries in the first half to trail 24-0 at the break.

Banbury improved, but conceded two scores in the last 20 minutes.

Grove moved up to third following a 34-20 victory over Chippenham.

There was only one game played in the BB&O Championship, with Chipping Norton going top despite suffering a 15-14 defeat to Aldermaston.