Alchester went seven points clear of the Southern Counties North relegation zone after battling to a 13-9 home victory over Stow-on-the-Wold on Saturday.

Matt Flegg scored the game’s only try after Alchester made a strong start.

Tom Miles converted this and a simple penalty from in front of the posts to give Alchester a 10-0 lead at half-time.

Stow hit back in the second half with three penalties, the latter two coming from Matt Beckley and then Robin Tyreman had been sin-binned for handling in the ruck.

It was 10-9 with ten minutes to go and Stow narrowly missed a penalty to take the lead.

But with time running out, Miles landed a 30-metre drop goal to seal victory.

Bicester maintained their promotion push in the BB&O with a battling 31-14 victory at Littlemore.

Wing Dave Aslett sped 60 metres to the line for Bicester’s opening try, converted by fly half Josh Young.

The visitors’ other wing, Matt Duncalf, scored try No 2 before hooker Philip Small went over, No 8 Dan Spencer converting.

It was 24-0 when Aslett roared in for his second.

Littlemore rallied, with flanker Darren Massey and lock Darren Warne going over. Fly half Simon Gamble converted both.

Spencer completed Bicester’s try tally, centre Mike Harris slotting the conversiion.