BANBURY Bulls were unable to hold on to their lead as they slipped to a frustrating 15-10 home defeat to South West 1 East promotion rivals Royal Wootton Bassett.

The second-placed visitors crossed after a late line-out to claim a victory that puts them ten points above the Oxfordshire side in third.

Banbury were without Chris Davies, Kieran Fitzgibbon, Justin Parker and Duncan Leese through injury and suspension and went behind to Troy Cusack’s 15th-minute penalty.

The hosts did not feel they were getting the rub of the green and Ed Phillips was yellow-carded for his protestations.

Despite being a man down, Banbury took the lead just before the break when Tommy Gray exchanged passes with Caleb Shepherd and touched down, Alex Caviezel-Cox converting.

Wootton Bassett edged in front after the restart as Daniel Hale crossed to finish off a silky move, before Phillips kicked a penalty to make it 10-8 to the hosts.

It looked like they might hold on, until Scott Parry touched down, Cusack converting, to give the visitors victory.

Meanwhile, Oxford Harlequins were beaten 42-13 at Buckingham.

Jack Crowe’s second-minute try gave the visitors the perfect start, but the home side quickly went in front through a penalty and a converted try.

Buckingham added another penalty in the 16th minute, before their second converted try made it 20-5 at the break.

Dan Todd’s penalty three minutes after the restart reduced the deficit, but it did not spark a comeback.

The hosts scored four tries, one converted, before Harry Burn went over on the stroke of full-time.