RUGBY UNION: Alchester see off Oxfordshire rivals (From Bicester Advertiser)

RUGBY UNION: Alchester see off Oxfordshire rivals

11:00am Thursday 13th September 2012 in Rugby

Alchester came on strong in the second half to win 22-7 in their Oxfordshire derby at Wallingford in Southern Counties North on Saturday.

After a scrappy opening, Alchester finally opened the scoring on 27 minutes when fly half Tom Miles crossed over after an excellent midfield break.

Miles converted, but Wallingford hit back almost immediately.

Alchester conceded the latest in a string of penalties and Wallingford drove Ed Danks over for a try, which Ralph Smith converted.

Adam White spilt the ball when well-placed to score for Alchester, while Smith missed a penalty.

Alchester were left frustrated after the break when lock Matt Dye was recalled for a forward pass, but they edged ahead with a penalty from Miles.

Prop Jamie Jones pounced on a loose ball from a line-out to score Alchester’s second try.

Their third score came from the restart when full back Robin Tyreman raced up field and fed Dye to charge over.

Miles converted and Alchester survived ten minutes with 14 men after White was sin-binned for a high tackle.

A lacklustre Bicester lost 40-17 at Swindon College Old Boys in their BB&O Championship campaign opener.

Bicester managed tries through wing Dave Aslett, flanker Jake Sawyer and prop Tom Horwood, with fly half Chris Nixon converting the latter effort.

The visitors lost centres Tom Bass (finger) and Dan Spencer (dead leg), plus lock Chris Clayton (dislocated thumb) to injury.

No 8 Matthew McKee (2), wing Daniel Cooper (2) and replacement lock Wood Briggs crossed over for Swin-don, with fly half Scott Buchanan kicking 15 points.

OTHER SCORERS BB&O Div 3 North: Bicester 3rd 77 (tries M Cullen 4, D Ahu-Gooch 2, P Miller 2, A Benjamin, M Harris, I Jolliff, A Nightingale, D Brind; cons S John 5, S Risbridger), Witney 4th 0.