NEWBURY Blues moved to within two points of second-placed Salisbury following a 50-5 thrashing of hosts Leighton Buzzard in South West One East, writes Richard Ashton.

Centre Josh Bartlett gave Blues a dream start after he dodged a series of defenders to cross from 50 metres, Dan Thorne adding the conversion in the fifth minute.

The visitors moved further ahead midway through the half when Josh Winfield went over in the left-hand corner, and when Ryan Davis slipped a couple of tackles and galloped 65 metres to score, Newbury were 17-0 ahead after 33 minutes.

Leighton Buzzard hit back shortly before the interval as they registered their only try of the day, a quick tap and go penalty closing with them going under the posts.

However, in what summed up their day, the conversion was missed and the hosts trailed 17-5 at half time.

Newbury began the second half strongly and extended their lead five minutes into the second period, Bartlett streaking away from the last defender to go in under the uprights for his side’s bonus-point score. Thorne’s conversion made it 24-5.

Bartlett turned provider on 58 minutes as he released Mike Walker for another converted score as Blues all but put the game to bed.

Almost immediately afterwards Bartlett completed a superb hat-trick, sprinting in from 40 yards before Thorne again added the extras to push the score to 38-5.

Walker’s second converted try came with 10 minutes remaining, and Winfield added to his tally with another five-pointer on the left wing to complete a one-sided encounter.

Newbury do not have a game this weekend, returning to action with a vital clash against fourth-placed Witney on Saturday, February 13.

Tadley Tigers’ BB&O Premier promotion hopes were dealt a blow as they were beaten 36-15 at home by league leaders Gosford All Blacks.

The hosts took a fourth-minute lead with a Craig Raymond penalty, but they conceded the opening try when fly-half Harry Sutton sent wing Miles Johnson over. Tim Ellis added the extras to make it 7-3 to the Oxfordshire side.

Tadley centre Charlie Cox put his side back in front when he weaved his way over for an unconverted try, and Tom Bartlett also went over before Raymond converted to put the hosts 15-7 up at the break.

However, the second half proved disastrous for Tadley, with Johnson grabbing his second converted try early on.

The All Blacks scrum were now dominant and flanker Joe Piggott forced his way over to score, Ellis converting to make it 21-15.

An Ellis penalty pushed his side further in front and they took complete control when Johnson completed his hat-trick with another fine finish.

And the comeback was completed when Ben Bodinham crossed after a sparkling run, Ellis again reliable with the boot. Tadley visit Hungerford on February 13.

Relegation-haunted Hungerford were thrashed 47-10 at Slough.

A shocking first half for the visitors ended with them trailing33-0 thanks to a brace of tries from Robbie Morrison, and Joe Sole, Ruairi O’Connor and debutant Cameron Ruddock also dotting down.

Liam Coffey Barratt added four conversions.

Ruddock and Max Miles extended the lead before Hungerford scored twice late on, but it was merely consolation for the visitors.

London Irish slipped back to the foot of the Aviva Premiership following a 38-10 defeat at Sale Sharks, Newcastle’s 26-19 win against Harlequins lifting them three points above Exiles.

Irish host Worcester at Madejski Stadium on Sunday (1pm).