Berks/Bucks & Oxon Premier.

Bicester 21, Stow 18.

STOW failed to continue their recent good form and just fell short in a very entertaining match at Bicester.

The home side started the better and went ahead with a penalty which was quickly followed by an unconverted try scored from a blind side break. Stow started to get into the game but struggled to build any real momentum.

However, their first score came when play was switched to the blind side, with Will Ford going over in the corner.

Two James Ford penalties put Stow ahead but on the half-time whistle they were caught offside in front of their posts. The kick went over to leave the game nicely balanced at 11-11.

The second half saw both sides attack at every opportunity with the defences working well.

The first to crack was Stow when they failed to clear their lines. A penalty was kicked to the corner and, from the resulting line-out, a clean take and drive gave Bicester the score.

Stow rallied and after a period of sustained pressure from the forwards, Craig Chapman breached the Bicester defence to score under the posts, leaving James Ford to slot the conversion.

Bicester had the chance to retake the lead but knocked on with the try line beckoning. With just a couple of minutes left it looked as if Stow could hang on, but then a clearance kick failed to find touch, Bicester ran it back and after a series of phases they found space for a successful overlap on the right.

Stow ended with a losing bonus point, but they will be disappointed in their performance.