Bicester successfully carried out coach Clive Davies's advice to 'keep the ball alive whenever possible' as they beat Abingdon 61-0 in an 11-try spree.

Abingdon won their share of the set-piece possession, but were invariably turned over in the tackle, and in the loose, where the Bicester back row, led by flanker Tony Nightingale, were outstanding.

Colts Tom Alcroft, Will Lynch and Jeremy Pearce scored tries for Bicester after coming on as second-half replacements.

Bicester's other try-scorers were Chad Ward (2), Patrick Coogan (2), Jason Smith, Fijian debutant Peter Buinimasi, lock Peter Jones and Jeremy Pearce. Coogan added three conversions.

For Abingdon, the commendable efforts of props Simon North and Andy Abbey, together with flanker Tim Nash and No 8 Xavier Lecocq to galvanise their side into action, proved to no avail.