Alchester broke their duck for the season at the seventh attempt with a 16-15 home victory over Marlow in Southern Counties North.

Two penalties from Tom Miles saw Alchester lead 6-3 at half-time, while the same player hit the crossbar with a mammoth 55-metre attempt.

The hosts had captain Dan Kimber sin-binned in the second half and 12 more points from Marlow, countered by a Miles penalty, meant another defeat looked likely at 15-9.

However, centre Adam White crashed for through for Miles to convert and Alchester survived a late Marlow penalty miss.

Bicester had to be content with a 20-20 draw at second-placed Thatcham.

The visitors led 20-13 with four minutes left before Joe Leadley converted Liam Rowland’s try.

Andy Cook could not land an even later drop goal to win it for Bicester.

Dan Spencer kicked two penalties for Bicester before Leadley converted Tim Apperley’s try.

Bicester’s John Behan went over for Spencer to convert, but Leadley kicked a drop goal.

Although Thatcham had prop Matt Langdon sent off for stamping, Leadley equalised with a penalty.

Tim Farrow’s try, converted by Spencer, looked to have won it for Bicester.