Bicester manager Mike Hutchinson felt his players really rose to the occasion at Chipping Norton.

He said: "We knew it was going to be the hardest game of the season and from one to 15 the guys played beyond all expectations.

"They all played for the shirt today without a doubt.

"It was never going to be a great rugby game in the windy conditions.

"We gave away some silly penalties in the last 20 minutes, but they all rallied round and kept pressing forward.

"We also looked the more dangerous in the backs.

"They will win the league, but we didn't want them to do it against us."

Chipping Norton director of rugby Andy Dawson said: "We made the wrong choices several times.

"We didn't seem to be able to get the final pass away.

"They scored their first try from a missed tackle in the backs, which has been our strong point all season.

"But I still thought our game plan held up very well.

"We defended very well in the first half and I felt we were going to run away with it in the second.

"The Bicester try at the end was from their only real bit of possession in the half.

"I thought the sin-binning just before that was a bit harsh.

"I let the boys make their own decisions out there.

"The lad came on at 10 and did a very good job. He is normally a full back.

"I was surprised we didn't go for goal with the penalty right at the end.

"The players had the confidence to go for the lineout, but unfortunately Bicester stole the ball."