Former leaders Grove slipped to fourth place in Southern Counties North after a 21-14 home defeat to Milton Keynes.

Grove trailed 9-3 at the break, with fly half John Barrett’s penalty being cancelled out by three from Milton Keynes’ Phil Powell.

A try from prop Richard Keen and a Barrett penalty put Grove 11-9 up, but soft tries from centre Dave Matthews and No 8 Stuart Tompkinson, Powell converting one, proved decisive.

Barrett’s third penalty secured a losing bonus point.

Oxford lost 42-12 at high-flying Wootton Bassett.

Phil Longuet-Higgins and Luke Carazzane scored their tries, with Tom Olley kicking a conversion.

Bicester pipped visitors Phoenix 18-12 in the BB&O Premier Division.

The hosts opened the scoring through Dan Spencer, Steve Risbridger converting, but Phoenix levelled with a converted try.

After the break, Risbridger slotted a penalty, but flanker Dave Harris’s try put Phoenix 12-10 ahead.

However, a second Risbridger penalty and a well-worked try from Will Morris gave Bicester the points.

Alchester stay top despite losing 20-9 to second-placed Slough.

The home side led 9-6 at the break via three Steve Miller penalties, Slough replying with two and going in front with a 60th-minute penalty.

A try, penalty and drop goal sealed Slough’s win.

Harwell battled back to win 25-19 at Redingensians 4th.

The visitors trailed 19-0 before Ben Lacy’s try gave them hope.

After the break, tries from Dave Paton and Sam Al Khalaf, plus a Dave Beaven conversion and penalty made it 20-19, and Al Khalaf’s second try clinched it.

Didcot lost 16-10 at Aldermaston in BB&O Division 2 South, Steve Stone and Greg Arthy scoring their tries.

OTHER SCORERS.

BB&O Premier A: Ox Harlequins 2nd 26 (tries A Pearson 3, H Buit; cons J Todd 3), Marlow 2nd 45.

BB&O Div 1 North: Chip Norton 2nd 33, Bicester 2nd 8 (try C Tarratt; pen Tarratt); Ox Harlequins 3rd 8 (try N Birrell; pen M Mullender), Beaconsfield 2nd 16.

BB&O Div 2 North: Gosford All Blacks 34 2nd (tries T Baughan 2, J Briggs 2, P Siret, D Rae; con E Marno 2), Buckingham 3rd 17; High Wycombe 3rd 85, Bicester 3rd 25 (tries J Holdsworth, J Willmore, D Nellis, S John, M Gulvin).