Bicester held on to record a 19-10 success over Alchester in a hotly-contested derby encounter at Fritwell on Saturday.

The visitors lost the penalty count 13-6, but they did just enough to take the local honours, despite a superb second-half response from the home side.

Bicester went ahead after 13 minutes when, after good work by the forwards, Tom Horwood stretched across to the right of the posts for an unconverted try.

The visitors extended their lead when Dan Spencer went over, although referee Aubrey Collings had already blown for a penalty try, which was easily converted by Andrew Cook.

Alchester’s response was immediate, however, prop Charlie Surman going over following a line-out, with Adam White adding the ext-ras.

With Andrew Faulkner banished to the sin-bin, White reduced Bicester’s lead to two points early in the second period with a penalty.

Both sides looked for the telling blow, with replacement Matt Duncalf, and winger Peter Tarrega going close for Bicester.

And Bicester’s nerves were jangling when Alchester drove to the posts from a scrum.

But only great work from Bicester centre Dave Ham-pton prevented a certain try by home prop Craig Boyce.

Soon after, however, Bicester got the crucial score following a swift break.

Mike Harris sent Dave Aslett clear down the left wing, and he touched down under the posts, allowing Andy Cook a simple conversion as Bicester held on for victory.

This weekend, Bicester travel to High Wycombe in the Southern Counties Interm-ediate Cup semi-final.

OTHER RESULTS Bicester 2nd 59 (Tries: A Macdonald 3, J Sawyer 2, D Ahu-Gooch 2, G Williams, T Miles; cons: T Miles 7), Grove 2nds 17; Bicester 3rd 5 (try J Entwistle), Abingdon 2nd 37.