SOUTHERN COUNTIES NORTH: Bicester fired a warning to their rivals that they are genuine promotion contenders when they ended Olney's unbeaten record with a decisive 27-13 away victory.

Inspired by their skipper, flanker Anthony Nightingale, and man-of-the-match fly half Mark Nash, Bicester tackled ferociously and counter-attacked in devastating style to leave their opponents rattled.

The visitors struck with spectacular opportunist tries by right winger Chad Ward, centre Chris Nash and flanker Martin Lynstrom and a well-worked score by hooker James Davies.

Bicester led 8-3 at the break, thanks to a 40-metre penalty and a try by Ward.

During the second half, they added three tries, two of them converted by Ward, to one by Olney.

From the moment Francis Grant landed two early penalties, Witney controlled their match at home to Swindon, and they marched on to record a 30-12 victory.

Witney's first try came from a third-phase move as centre Mike Dunbar went over, and a superb Grant conversion put the home side in the driving seat at 13-0.

Swindon were gifted a converted try by some fumbled passes, but Witney stayed on top and Dunbar went over for his second try before he limped off with a tweaked hamstring.

Early in the second half, Will Worrall took a quick penalty and somehow managed to reach out and score to make it 25-7.

Swindon scored a try with ten minutes left, but fittingly, it was Witney who had the last score when Andy Merriman set up Jez Hicks.