New club Alchester marked their first ever league game with a 21-19 win over Broadmoor Staff in Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier.

Alchester made the breakthrough when George Symonds crashed over under the posts before having to go off with a shoulder injury. Adam White converted.

Broadmoor’s pack continued to dominate the scrum but Alchester competed well in the rucks and mauls, producing some good quick ball for the backs.

Andy Blacklock’s try converted by White made it 14-0 before Broadmoor replied with a try.

The second half was again dominated by the Broadmoor pack, but thanks to strong defensive work from Matt Flegg, Niall Morrow and Steve Miller, their backs could not break through.

Alchester went further ahead with a Ben Ancil try converted by White.

Broadmoor’s pressure told with two converted tries making it 21-19, but Alchester held on.

Gosford All Blacks triumphed 26-9 at Abingdon to avenge last season’s defeat in the Oxon Shield.

The home side took an earlty lead with a penalty, but Gosford soon opened their account with an unconverted try from Murray Stewart.

Alex Webb gave away a penalty for Abingdon to regain the advantage with a second penalty.

It didn’t last long, however, as Harry Sutton scored and then dropped-kicked the conversion before extending the lead with a penalty.

Gosford maintained their running rugby and after another Gosford raid into the Abingdon 22, the ball came back to Sutton who calmly slotted a drop goal from 35 metres.

Gosford scored the best try of the match after a move involving Andy Shepherd, James Holburn and Sutton, Murray Stewart taking the ball at speed to dive over.

Abingdon put over their third penalty but Gosford had the last word with another Sutton penalty.

Oxford began their season with a 50-12 win away to Oxfordshire rivals Harwell, their tries coming from Stu Waknell (2), Sam Myers, Phil Longuet-Higgins, Jamie Kirkaldy, Andy MacDonald, Kenny MacLennan and Duncan Lynchsmith.

Harwell’s tries were scored by Ben Lacy and Andy Lee, the latter’s converted by Dave Beaven