Southern Counties North

GROVE went top of the table after a 27-23 victory over Windsor, despite having No 8 Guy Nicholl sent off.

Nicholl was sin-binned in the first half and then shown a second yellow card for what the referee ruled was a spear tackle.

Grove, who lost prop Steve Dixey to sickness just before the kick-off, took the lead with a first-minute penalty from fly half Roger Sevier, but Windsor soon hit back with a converted try.

Wing Harry Carr won the chase to touch down scrum half Owen Gustafson’s box-kick to give Grove an 8-7 lead.

Centre Joe Bellinger’s tackle stopped a Windsor try, but they kicked a penalty.

Bellinger then ran in an interception try, with Sevier converting, but a Windsor penalty made it 15-13 at the break.

Grove, for whom flanker Matt Young shone in defence, had to withstand more pressure before Carr sliced through a breakaway try, converted by Sevier.

Windsor slotted a penalty after Nicholl’s red card and added a converted try during a powerful onslaught.

Grove won the game when full back Nick Sevier popped the ball for Gustafson to dive over, and closed it out with some controlled pick-and-drives.

Alchester lost 18-12 at Tadley after a patchy display.

Wing Ieuan Robinson’s try, created by centre Tom Miles and full back Robin Tyreman, put Alchester ahead.

The visitors pack held sway, but Tadley equalised with a try.

Alchester wasted a great chance on 42 minutes, but prop Charlie Surman scurried over for a try, converted by Miles.

However, a penalty and two tries won it for Tadley.

Wallingford fell to a 27-12 defeat at Wootton Bassett, who went second.

Bassett led 24-0, thanks to tries from Grant Murdoch, Andy Phoenix, Dave Martin and JP Travers, with Dave Hogg converting two.

Luke Best replied with a Wallingford try before Hogg added a penalty.

Fraser Hunt bagged a second Wallingford score late on, converted by Ralph Smith.