ALCHESTER bounced back from their early exit in the Oxfordshire Shield to edge visitors Chesham 10-7 in the BB&O Premier Division.

With the scores level, Adam Thompson provided the difference with a penalty, following a spell in the sin-bin.

The home side started brightly with some structured possession rugby, but they were undermined by errors which meant they were unable to convert early dominance into points.

Chesham were first to get on the board, when their fly half Billy Moore broke through for a converted try after some good strategic kicking.

Alchester shrugged off the disappointment and hit back with powerful forward runs.

They were denied a try by the narrowest of margins, when the referee deemed the ball had been held up over the line by some last-ditch Chesham defending.

The hosts also went into the break a man down, with second row Dave Hazell sent to the sin-bin.

They were only back to a full complement for a matter of minutes before fly half, Thompson, saw yellow for some over enthusiastic rucking.

But despite the numerical disadvantage Alchester drew level.

Winger Toby James crossed for a try, which was converted by captain Adam White.

Playing basic phase rugby, Alchester looked the more likely to score and their defence held strong when the visitors attempted to push forward.

Thompson made amends for his yellow card when he returned to the field, by slotting home a penalty from 20 metres out to put Alchester in front for the first time.

It turned out to be the winning score, which kept them sixth in the table ahead of the short trip to Chipping Norton on October 24.