Sloppy defending saw Bicester’s winning run come to an end following a 20-12 home defeat by Aylesbury at Oxford Road in Southern Counties North on Saturday.

Leading 12-10 at half-time, Bicester were only three points in arrears until eight minutes from time when Aylesbury scored a fourth try to seal victory.

Having won their last five matches, Bicester were full of confidence.

However, that soon suffered a dent when Aylesbury went ahead on two minutes.

Bicester failed to clear their lines and Michael Ducrose went over to the left of the posts for an unconverted try.

The visitors doubled the lead 13 minutes later when flanker Peter Gorley touched down from the catch and drive.

Bicester reduced the deficit with a try of their own.

Scrum half Mike Harris pounced on a loose ball before finding full back James Grosvenor, who sent winger Matty Duncalf on a 35 metre sprint to the corner for a try which went unconverted.

Bicester soon scored a second try.

No 8 Tim Farrow peeled off the maul and after being held up on the try line, prop Tom Horwood was on hand to crash over to the left of the posts.

Tom Miles converted brilliantly from close to the touch line as Bicester took a 12-10 half-time advantage.

But it all went wrong for the hosts after the break.

Eighteen minutes into the second half, Aylesbury regained the initiative when full back Alex Shearer scorched across in the corner to make it 15-12.

The visitors struck again 15 minutes later to set up a bonus-point victory.

After stealing the ball in the line-out, Bicester were turned over in open play and James Woodfall eluded some weak Bicester tackling to allow replacement winger Sam Page to streak over in the right hand corner for Aylesbury’s fourth unconverted try.

On Saturday, Bicester will look to get back to winning ways when they travel to Beaconsfield.

OTHER RESULTS

BBO 4 North: Bicester 3rd w/o Alchester 2nd.

Friendly: Wheatley 2nd 39 - Bicester 3rds 22 (tries J Behan, S John, F Everitt, C Ridehalgh; con S John 1)