ALCHESTER emerged 40-24 winners from their Southern Counties North basement battle at home to Swindon College Old Boys.

Returning fly half Tom Miles put Alchester ahead with a penalty, but two tries, the second an interception effort from Adam Thompson’s loose pass, and a conversion put Swindon 12-3 up.

Back-row forward Thompson made amends by crashing over a try that Miles converted.

Alchester led 18-12 at half-time, with Miles slotting a penalty and full back Robin Tyreman going over.

A penalty try and conversion saw Swindon regain the lead, but Alchester replied decisively.

Adam White scored twice in quick succession, followed by a try from centre partner Matt Flegg, with Miles converting two to lead 37-19.

Swindon managed a fourth try, but Miles’s penalty wrapped up the win.

Wallingford lost 31-25 at home to Stow-on-the-Wold, despite a late fightback.

Full back Phil Dawes kicked Wallingford ahead with a penalty, but Stow stormed back to lead 19-3.

George Roddan scored the first try, with Nick Cafearo converting.

Cafearo bagged try No 2 and converted another effort from Dave Lane.

Wallingford flanker Kris Blaszko notched from a driving maul.

The hosts had the wind behind them after the break, but Stow went further ahead.

Roddan and Cafearo ran in their second tries, Cafearo converting the latter.

Wallingford secured two bonus points with centre Ralph Smith (2) and No 8 Jermaine Webster going over, Dawes converting the first, but Stow held on.