RUGBY UNION: Alchester slip to Oxon derby loss (From Bicester Advertiser)

RUGBY UNION: Alchester slip to Oxon derby loss

11:00am Thursday 25th October 2012 in Sport

Alchester’s woes in Southern Counties North continued as they went down to a 28-15 defeat against Grove in Southern Counties at Fritwell on Saturday.

It was the home side’s second successive loss and things went wrong from the start, with at least half a dozen players getting themselves in front on Tom Miles’s kick-off.

They were then caught offside, allowing Dave Maryon to put Grove ahead with a penalty.

That became 10-0 when Steve Dixey dived under the posts, with Maryon converting.

Ben Nicholl touched down for Grove’s second try and a Maryon penalty extended their advantage to 18-0.

The home side finally got on the scoreboard after 24 minutes with a penalty from Tom Miles.

The second half saw Alchester come out strong, putting some good attacking pressure on the Grove defence.

Alchester prop Charlie Surman was followed into the sin-bin by Grove flanker Matty Young early in the sec ond half as both teams were reduced to 14 men.

A break from scrum half Owen Gustafson put Grove further head as he went over for a try in the corner.

Alchester refused to buckle, second row Matt Dye diving over from short range after a good run from No 8 Joe Macaneaney. Miles seeing the conversion sail wide.

Grove closed out the game 15 minutes from time with a try out wide from full back Huw Lewis, thus securing the bonus point.

Alchester had the last word when prop Nick Britz struck back with a close-range try as the hosts finally managed to put some good attacking phases together, but it was too late.