RUGBY UNION: Grove back on top after 11-try cruise (From Bicester Advertiser)

RUGBY UNION: Grove back on top after 11-try cruise

11:00am Tuesday 8th January 2013 in Rugby

Southern Counties North

GROVE regained top spot after a 76-10 demolition of hosts Slough.

Their victory, coupled with Reading Abbey’s home defeat to Milton Keynes, saw Grove open up a two-point lead.

Nick Sevier, Dave Maryon and Paul Miles all bagged doubles in the 11-try haul.

Joe Bellinger, Owen Gustafson, James Eckert and Roger Sevier also touched down, with the latter adding nine conversions and a penalty.

Alchester climbed to fifth following a 26-7 home win over Aylesbury.

Victory came at a cost – back-row forward Adam Thompson having to be stretchered off early on with a knee injury.

Alchester took the lead when captain Tom Isles charged down a clearance and Andy Harbottle pounced on the loose ball to score.

Harbottle had replaced Thompson after being out for a year with a leg injury himself.

Fly half Tom Miles slotted a penalty, but Aylesbury hit back with a try from Jamie Brown, converted by James Woodfall.

However, frustration led to Aylesbury’s Jordan Stanmore, Alex Cornish and Woodfall being sin-binned before half-time.

Alchester exploited this, with wing Andy Blacklock scoring twice – the second beating eight or nine defenders for a great solo try, which Miles converted.

Miles added two second-half penalties, while Aylesbury had Adam Moore sin-binned late on.