BICESTER clung on to their half-time lead to beat Thatcham 20-12 in Southern Counties North.

Two Tom Miles penalties gave the north Oxfordshire side a 6-0 lead after 12 minutes.

Peter Tarrega darted over, with Miles converting to make it 13-0.

And Bicester struck again before the break, with Christian Mann streaking over.

Miles added the extras for a 20-point half-time lead.

Thatcham’s attempted comeback started when Ashley Taylor crossed for an unconverted try.

James Thorogood then stretched across, with Joe Ledley adding the extras, but Bicester had already done enough to earn victory.

Gosford All Blacks lost 32-3 at leaders Marlow.

It took the home side 21 minutes to open the scoring, when Howard Mears dotted down for an unconverted try.

Tim Ellis kicked a penalty for All Blacks, but Marlow’s Nick Carvey replied to make it 8-3.

Gosford’s Thom Murton was sin-binned for a high tackle and the home side took advantage, with Cameron Denton crossing and Carvey converting.

Marlow had Jack Henderson yellow-carded after the break and, despite being pushed back, they extended their lead to 20-3, thanks to Carvey’s interception try.

George Jafari touched down for the hosts, who also had Pete Lewis sin-binned, before Denton dived over to complete the scoring.

Wallingford lost 36-21 at home to High Wycombe.

Dan Sadler (2) and Kris Blaszko scored the south Oxfordshire side’s tries.

Phil Dawes converted all three.