WINDSOR RFC climbed to 10th in South West One East with a brilliant 34-22 bonus-point victory at home to Witney.

The hosts suffered a disastrous start as Charlie Dyde and Sam Collins crossed for Witney. Matt Clarke added the conversion to the second to put his side 12-0 up.

Windsor hit back, though, and got themselves on the scoreboard courtesy of a Harry Woolman penalty, further cutting the deficit when Matt Balmer burst through a number of tackles to touch down. Woolman’s reduced the gap to 12-10.

A 24th-minute penalty from the same player put Windsor in front for the first time, but Witney second row Scott Mortimer then powered over for a converted try.

Yet Windsor ended an action-packed opening 40 minutes with the lead, Balmer again showing his powerful running to cross for what became a second converted score.

Woolman missed a straight-forward penalty early in the second period, but Windsor moved further clear when fly half Ben Grant-Adamson collected his own chip ahead before touching down. The conversion made it 27-17.

Witney refused to lie down and Collins crashed over on 53 minutes, reducing the gap to five.

However, the hosts rallied themselves and secured the try bonus point on 65 minutes courtesy of a penalty try earned by their driving maul.

Windsor visit Banbury tomorrow (Saturday).

Windsor Dames beat Crowthorne Ladies 31-10 on Sunday.