Southern Counties North

ALCHESTER left it late to record a scrappy 10-9 victory at basement boys Marlborough.

The tone was set when Alchester centre Tom Miles missed an easy penalty.

Alchester enjoyed more territory and possession, but could not score, while a well-struck drop goal put Marlborough 3-0 up at the break.

The errors continued in the second half, with Marlborough adding to their tally via two penalties.

Alchester finally managed some coherent play in the last ten minutes, with flanker Matt Flegg scoring after a break down the right.

It was Alchester’s other flanker, Lou Byrne, who was driven over for the winning try, but the visitors still had to defend well.

Wallingford had to be content with a 5-5 draw at Aylesbury.

Aylesbury No 8 James Woodfall missed an early penalty, then Wallingford opened the scoring after fly half Ralph Smith’s grubber forced a five-metre scrum.

An impressive shove saw No 8 Ian Jeffreys get the touchdown.

Wallingford full back Angus Brettell was denied a try due to a foot in touch.

Home wing Richard Few and Wallingford flanker Rich Bower were sin-binned before the break.

Scrum half Derek Viljoen impresseed in the Wallingford defence, but they could not stop Few running in the equalising try.

An off-load from prop Antony Marris was adjudged forward to Brettell just yards from the line, but Woodfall sliced a penalty wide to win it.

Grove, who had a week off, dropped to third.