BICESTER were left to rue a shaky start as they were beaten 37-32 at home by Beaconsfield in an entertaining Southern Counties North encounter.

The visitors led 15-0 after 18 minutes, but Bicester fought back quickly to equalise seven minutes before the interval.

However, the visitors pulled away and it needed a late try from Mike Harris to secure Bicester two bonus points from the high-scoring game.

Beaconsfield got off to a flying start and established an early advantage thanks to a Jack Beard penalty, along with tries from Lewis Stenson and Christopher Creak.

Beard converted the second score.

But Bicester hit back as, following good work from winger Peter Tarrega and prop Gareth Evans, Will Anns crossed, with Tom Miles adding the extras.

Miles closed the gap further by kicking two penalties.

However, the visitors went on to lead 25-20 at the break as Jonathan Sobczyk scored two unconverted tries, sandwiching a converted Matt Dye effort for Bicester, which was set up by Steve Limbrick’s surging break.

After half-time, Alex Spring dived over for Beaconsfield and Beard converted, before Bicester responded with an unconverted try from Harris, following a close-range penalty.

The visitors scored their final try when Andrew Galligan dotted down and they seemed well out of reach at 37-25.

Bicester, however, were still full of running, and when the visitors were penalised at a scrum, Bicester replacement winger Christian Mann embarked on an exhilarating sprint down the left.

Dye offloaded to Harris, who darted across for his second try, which earned the hosts four-try and losing bonus points.

Miles converted, with the last kick of the game.

Bicester will entertain Wallingford in an Oxfordshire derby clash on Saturday.

Alchester, whose match at Chesham in Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier last week was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, entertain Chipping Norton on Saturday.

Other result: Windsor 3rd 36 Bicester 2nd 5 (try B Carr).