FLY-HALF Jack Avery was taken to hospital with a damaged spleen during Oxford Harlequins’ 31-18 defeat to second bottom Weston-super-Mare in National 3 South West.

Avery was stretchered off in the sixth minute after being knocked out by a tackle, but was released from hospital yesterday.

The defeat leaves Quins in the last relegation spot and five points from safety.

Full-back Chris Young went over to give the hosts an early lead, before Avery was stretchered off.

  • Latest Sport news

Quins went further behind when Kirk Middlemiss and Sylvan Edwards both scored to make it 17-0.

A Will Sharratt penalty ensured Quins were on the scoreboard at the break.

In the second half, Sharratt added another three points from the boot, but the hosts extended their lead when Cronan Gleeson took advantage of a cruel bounce to score.

Paul Sprague added another try for Weston-super-Mare, but Quins found another gear to reduce the arrears.

Rupert Cowan and Latu Ngungutau had tries disallowed, but the former went on to touch down after a lung-busting 65-metre run.

Quins attacked relentlessly and were rewarded when Kristian Borthwick went over the line.