VISITORS Bicester claimed a bonus point, but paid the price for failing to contain the slick handling of Beaconsfield’s backs as they lost 44-30 in Southern Counties North.

Dan Spencer scored two tries, while skipper Matt Dye and James Grosvenor also touched down to ensure the point.

But Beaconsfield, marshalled by centre Ross Ritchie, who scored 24 points, were ahead for almost the entire 80 minutes.

Ritchie opened the scoring within seconds, slotting a penalty when Bicester were penalised for crossing from the kick-off.

Idrusu Labri quickly dived over for the first hosts’ try, which was unconverted.

Tom Miles kicked a penalty for Bicester, but Beaconsfield stretched their lead to 22-3 with tries from Labri and Ritchie, who kicked both conversions.

The visitors responded strongly to slash their arrears to two points.

Mike Harris sent Spencer clear to dive over to the left of the posts.

Powerful running by centre Lemeki Valevou enabled Grosvenor to burst clear and just short of the line, where he passed for flanker Dye to score.

Bicester’s excellent spell continued when Grosvenor intercepted a Beaconsfield pass ten metres inside his own half and sprinted all the way to the line.

Miles converted to trim Beaconsfield’s advantage to 22-20, but their momentum stalled on the stroke of half-time, when Beaconsfield stole the visitors’ line-out and Labri charged over for his hat-trick.

The hosts gained the upper hand at the start of the second half.

Ritchie kicked a penalty from near the half-way line, before another fine handling move saw John Goss score.

Bicester stayed in touch with Spencer’s second try, thanks to No 8 Steve Limerick’s surge off a line-out.

Miles kicked the conversion and another penalty, but Ritchie kept Beaconsfield on track with three penalties.

Bicester’s next game is at home to Wallingford on October 24.

OTHER RESULT BB&O 4 North Bicester 3rd 34 (tries J Entwistle, J Wheatley, T Burrows, S John; cons S John 3, pen S John), Abingdon 2nd 12.