Southern Counties North

GROVE maintained their remarkable record of taking a bonus point from every game this season and remain top of the table despite a 14-12 defeat at Aylesbury.

The home side struck first when their excellent full back scored a fine try which was converted.

Grove lost scrum half Ben Nicholl to the sin-bin after a mass punch-up and Aylesbury added another converted try for a 14-0 lead.

Roger Sevier’s penalty reduced the arrears before the break and he did the trick again shortly afterwards for 14-6.

Two more Sevier penalties brought Grove to within two points, before new boy Dave Wells was given a yellow card for handling in the ruck.

Shortly afterwards, another punch-up ensued, which was made worse by some spectators getting involved as the game finished on a sour note.

Wallingford cruised to their first league win in three months as they saw off bottom club Slough 34-12.

Tries from Rich Bower, Fraser Hunt and Ben Selwood, the last converted by Olli Henderson, opened up a 17-0 half-time lead.

Slough started the second half full of drive and got on the scoreboard with a converted try.

Wallingford hit back when Anthony Marris hacked through to score and Phil Dawes slotted the extras.

Just as it looked like the floodgates might open, Henderson’s pass was intercepted and Slough added another converted try to make it 24-14.

But it was the home side who had the last word, Henderson and Selwood adding further tries.

Alchester lost 14-0 at home Milton Keynes, for whom Phil Powell scored a try and two penalties.

Scott Aspinall also slotted a penalty for the visitors.