NEWBURY Blues boosted their South West One East play-off hopes with a 23-12 win against Salisbury at Monk’s Lane.

Saturday’s victory enabled third-placed Blues to close the gap on second-placed Salisbury to just three points, with leaders Towcestrians, who beat Witney, way out in front.

Three Dan Thorne penalties put Newbury 9-0 up at the break.

Salisbury hit back with an unconverted try, but Newbury crossed the whitewash soon after to extend their lead to 16-5.

The visitors then notched their second try, only for Blues to respond with a late score to seal the victory.

Blues travel to Leighton Buzzard this Saturday (2.15pm).

Meanwhile, Thatcham’s survival hopes in Southern Counties North received a blow in a 16-15 loss against relegation rivals Drifters.

Thatcham went ahead through an unconverted Sean Richardson try only for Drifters to hit back immediately with a try of their own and a 7-5 lead.

Drifters then kicked a penalty, but a try by Thatcham’s hooker Ash Taylor made it 10-10.

Another penalty from Drifters gave them a narrow 13-10 advantage at the break, but Thatcham took a 15-13 lead when Louis Kanaar Brown was driven over the line.

Sadly, Thatcham’s indiscipline cost them and Drifters slotted a further penalty with three minutes to go to snatch victory, leaving the home side with a losing bonus point.

Tadley Tigers enhanced their Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier title chances with a 28-17 win at Crowthorne.

Tigers edged to a 7-0 victory in the corresponding home fixture in October and they found the going tough again as Crows opened a 7-0 lead through a converted George Watson try.

With 20 minutes gone Tigers were 14-0 behind following a James Huckle touchdown, but they hit back through a Chris Dennison penalty.

Tigers reduced the arrears further when centre Tom Bartlett ran from the halfway line to score, with Dennison’s conversion making it 14-10 to the hosts.

Crows extended their lead to 17-10 at the break with a Doug Charman penalty, but it was all Tigers in the second half.

They cut Crows’ lead with another Dennison penalty and went ahead for the first time in the match when Bartlett crossed for his second score.

A Dennison three-pointer put Tigers 21-17 ahead and they completed the comeback when winger James Hutchins crossed for a superb try, with Dennison converting.

Tigers host Gosford All Blacks this Saturday (2.15pm).

In the same division, Hungerford climbed out of the bottom two with a resounding 61-7 home win against Risborough. They travel to Slough this Saturday (2.15pm).

London Irish qualified for the European Challenge Cup quarter finals in the most dramatic fashion as their 31-17 victory in Agen - coupled with a last-gasp try by Grenoble against Edinburgh - ensure they snatched the last of the best runners up spots.