Bicester defended magnificently and attacked clinically to defeat skilful Southern Countiers North leaders Reading Abbey 29-22 at Oxford Road on Saturday.

Both teams scored four tries, but while Abbey fly-half Tom Waterhouse could convert only one try, Bicester centre Tom Miles improved three tries and landed a penalty.

Abbey led 10-3 with tries from full-back Gavin Dampies and centre Arron Ross.

Bicester equalised on the stroke of half-time, when open-side flanker Dan Spencer plunged across for a try. Miles added the conversion to his previous penalty to make it 10-10.

A second try for Dampies, converted by Waterhouse, restored Abbey’s lead, but from turnover ball, the hosts again drew level with a try Mike Haris, which Miles improved.

More superb running led to Miles scoring a try which he converted to make it 24-17, but an unconverted try by Waterhouse cut their lead to two points.

Then Bicester No 8 Steve Limbrick combined with Harris to send winger Peter Tarrega racing over in the right corner, despite having John Behan sin-binned.

Abbey then laid siege to the Bicester try line, but the home defence held out.

Wallingford trounced basement boys Swindon College Old Boys 60-0.