Alchester just got the better of Thatcham 20-13 in Southern Counties North thanks to some consistent kicking from fly half Tom Miles.

The home side controlled the game in the first 20 minutes and Miles opened the scoring with a well-struck drop goal after the Alchester pack set up a driving maul that marched their opponents back 20 metres.

They stretched the lead to ten points on 20 minutes when returning winger Pat Coogan took a neat interception on his own 22 and raced away to score under the posts. Miles converted.

This seemed to have galvanised Thatcham, who replied with some dangerous attacking moves to test the home defence.

Their perseverance paid off on 34 minutes when Alchester were penalised at a scrum inside their own 22. Thatcham took a quick tap which gave them their first try. The Berkshire outfit struck with a second try soon after the break, moving the ball quickly through the backs to score in the corner for 10-10.

Thatcham were in control for the first 20 minutes of the second half and only excellent defence from the hosts kept the scores level.

With 20 minutes remaining, Alchester wrested control back when some solid rucking from the forwards enabled No 8 Joe McEneaney to burst through and touch down. Miles added the extras.

A penalty from Thatcham with 15 minutes left narrowed the gap to 17-13, but a Miles penalty eased Alchester’s nerves and they took a stranglehold on the game in the closing minutes to see out time.

Elsewhere, Grove easily saw off Olney 31-0. Nick Sevier and Harry Carr both helped themselves to two tries and Roger Sevier also crossed, the latter notching three conversions.

Wallingford were pipped 34-27 at home to Milton Keynes.