We are very much entering the business end of the Regional 2 Thames season, with just three games to go following the most recent round of fixtures this weekend just gone. Let's take a look at the results.

Aylesbury 43-43 Grasshoppers

A remarkable high-scoring draw at Ostler's Field kicks us off, with nothing to separate Aylesbury and Grasshoppers after 80 minutes as 86 points were shared between the two sides.

Grasshoppers edged the first half to lead 26-19 at the break, but four second half tries to three saw Aylesbury reach parity, as missed conversions kept the sides level. The result works in favour of both sides, with Aylesbury climbing into the final promotion playoff spot in fifth with 55 points, while Grasshoppers have a little breathing room in the final survival position in ninth, on 41 poijnts and eight clear of London Irish Wild Geese.

Beaconsfield 17-48 Brunel University

Brunel all but clinched promotion to Regional 1 with a clinical second half performance against second place Beaconsfield, who now must be content with a promotion playoff spot after defeat at home.

Beaconsfield had led at half time as Declan McCormack and Rafe Sadleir both crossed to go up 10-7, but the supremely physical and athletic Brunel University players were able to dominate in the second 40 minutes to pull away for a convincing five point victory in Buckinghamshire.

This means that the league leaders now need just one point to make sure of being crowned champions, so far accruing 92 points from nineteen games ; Beaconsfield weren't able to take any points from the fixture and while they remain in second with 77 points, have allowed teams below them to catch up, which could end up being crucial come the end of the regular season.

Harpenden 17-24 Marlow

Marlow continued their steady rise up the table with an impressive away win at Harpenden, who may now have slipped out of contention for the promotion playoffs.

In a match that faced a lengthy injury delay in the opening minutes of the game, Stash Maltby's impressive long range penalty nudged Marlow ahead once play had restarted ; in what appeared to be a brutal encounter, Harpenden had the better of the rest of the first quarter and got the first try of the day via Matthew Shaw as good forwards work saw them cross the line.

Another Maltby penalty took Marlow to within a point at 7-6 and then went ahead as they continued to take advantage of Harpenden indiscipline, kicking deep into the 22 and deploying the catch and drive, Joshua Richardson peeling and then scoring with Maltby converting.

In a seemingly endless first half - with further treatment required, stretching the period to over 65 minutes - it was Harpenden who ended the better and James Speirs cut a perfect line to cross the whitewash, the conversion giving Harpenden a half time lead of 14-13.

The defence was strong from both sides and weren't willing to cede much ground, but once again the hosts gave away a penalty in a good area and Maltby made sure with another three pointer as Marlow went ahead once more, only to see Alex Birch put one between the posts minutes later as the Hertfordshire outfit went tit for tat at 17-16.

Indiscipline continued to cost Harpenden dear as they gave up good field position and allowed Marlow to attack their territory, with determination eventually paying off after an offload to scrum half Jack Downing following a five metre scrum put his side over for their second try. No conversion, but Maltby stepped up to take a penalty soon after to make it 24-17, which is how it ended at the final whistle after a mammoth two hours of rugby.

Marlow were unable to take a bonus point but will be more than content with the win, keeping themselves in the playoff mix with 53 points from 19 games, one behind Teddington and two behind Aylesbury. Harpenden, however, must now rely on other results going their way to see them head into the playoffs too, but look set for safety, currently on 43 points and needing one win - in effect - to make sure of level 6 rugby for next season.

Teddington 22-31 OPRFC

Old Priorians confirmed their place in the playoffs with a hard earned win against Teddington, breaking away in the last twenty minutes as the hosts continue their poor form of late.

OPs went ahead early through Funbi Osuntoki's try, but the Twisters went down to thirteen men for two yellow card offences, allowing Teddington to level things up. Priorians weathered the storm well and actually retook the lead through a Charlie Harte penalty. The home side exploited space and went in at half time 12-10 up following a well worked try.

With hard tackling throughout, Teddington deservedly extended their lead to seven with around half an hour to go, forcing OPs into penalty errors ; Timmy Oyinlola levelled the tie after an excellent cross kick from Rory Gaffney, the momentum decisively swinging in the away side's favour with Teddington's failed attempt at a try rather than going for the posts.

Escaping out of their own half, Mishka Fibbens and David Howe were the try scorers for OPRFC as 17-10 down became 31-17, Teddington getting a consolation fourth in the final ten minutes to at least come way with something from the fixture.

Priorians remain in fourth, now with 73 points from 19, just one behind Belsize Park and four behind Beaconsfield with three games to play. Teddington move down one place to sixth, but are also just a point of the playoff spots, with 54 points.

Windsor 27-5 Oxford Harlequins II

Oxford Harlequins II confirmed their relegation from Regional 2 Thames with defeat away to Windsor, as their losing streak extends to nineteen games, Windsor retaining hope of making a survival spot with a routine victory.

Quins have amassed thirteen points and with head back to level 7 next season, while Windsor leave their fate in the hands of others - 31 points from nineteen means they are ten points from safety and look likely to face one of London Irish or Grasshoppers in the survival playoff.

That completes our round up. For further fixtures, results and the full league table, please visit the RFU website :

Regional 2 Thames