BICESTER’S 100 per cent record in Southern Counties North came to an end in a 24-22 defeat at home to Buckingham.

Their chances of a seventh successive victory looked bright when they led their visitors 22-12 in the derby clash.

But Buckingham gained the ascendancy in the loose which saw them comeback to win by two points.

After the visitors took early lead through James Hulston’s try, converted by Ed Kinman, Bicester were quick to bounce back.

Winger Dave Aslett and prop Tom Horwood both went over, Tom Miles converting one of the scores, as the north Oxfordshire side led 12-7.

But the visitors responded just before the break to level the scores at half-time, when flanker Patrick Ockenden crossed.

Bicester started the second half brightly, Miles landing a penalty and converting a try from Peter Tarrega.

The winger collected a loose clearance kick and raced over from 30 yards as the north Oxfordshire side looked in a strong position with a ten-point lead.

But Buckingham bounced back, with Ockenden speeding across for his second try.

After Bicester had Dan Spencer sin-binned for an off-the-ball incident, Buckingham hooker Matthew Payne was driven across for a try and Kinman’s conversion clinched a bonus-point win.

The hosts had a chance to snatch victory, but Miles’s last-minute drop goal attempt landed just short.