JAMES Grosvenor’s try proved the difference in a tightly-contested match which saw Bicester win 26-22 against visitors Wallingford.
The dramatic 77th-minute score not only sealed a fourth successive league victory for Bicester, but also claimed a bonus point.
All four of the hosts’ tries came after good work from their pack, which took just three minutes to inflict damage.
Prop Will Butler set up a ruck, from which Dan Spencer burst past two defenders to score and the Bicester skipper added the extras himself.
-
Latest Sport news
But a well organised Wallingford side caused problems throughout and they quickly responded through Peter McKinley’s unconverted try.
Lock Matt Dye stretched the home side’s lead with a try, brilliantly converted from the touchline by Spencer, but Wallingford stayed in touch with a try from Dan Sadler.
Paul Dawes converted, before Bicester had the final say of the half when a handling error was punished by Dave Hampton.
Spencer was again successful with the resulting kick to give the hosts a 21-12 cushion at the break.
Wallingford roared back into the game when play resumed.
McKinley crossed for his second try of the game.
Dawes converted and followed it up with a 25-metre penalty which put Wallingford in front for the first time, 22-21.
The game quickly became 14-a-side as Spencer and visiting hooker Henry Zaluzny were sin-binned for an altercation off the ball.
Andy Cook missed with the resulting penalty, but Bicester were not to be denied.
Again the forwards proved key, winning three successive scrums.
Although Matt Duncall’s try was ruled out for straying into touch, Grosvenor made no mistake with his chance to win the game.
Cook missed the conversion, but it was too late for Wallingford to respond.
Bottom club Alchester competed well in the first half before succumbing to a 24-3 defeat at Beaconsfield.
The visitors trailed only 5-3 at the break, their points coming from Adam White’s penalty goal.
Beaconsfield ran away with it in the second half, thanks to winger Jack Hockin’s second try, plus scores from James Watson and Pip Seymour.
Even though Beaconsfield had lock Sean Morgan sent off, Alchester were unable to add to their tally.
- Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here