BICESTER lost 27-10 at Swanage & Wareham in the semi-finals of the Southern Counties Intermediate Cup.

Philip Graves and Bicester’s Tom Miles exchanged penalties as the first half ended 3-3.

But the visitors’ ball retention was poor after the break and they were duly punished.

Matthew Roberts crossed behind the posts. Graves added the extras.

Erin Inglis then sailed past several Bicester defenders and dived over, before Robert Elford plunged across.

Graves and Stephen Woolley converted the tries to make it 24-3.

Jacob Warren extended Swanage’s lead with a drop-goal, before the hosts had Gary Smith sin-binned.

Bicester took advantage as Francois Weise raced over and Miles added the extras.

Didcot handed Tadley a walkover in their South West Division Cup tie.

Wallingford slipped to a third successive defeat in losing 36-0 at Beaconsfield in Southern Counties North.

The south Oxfordshire side remain sixth as a result, but were unable to make the most of their game in hand.

Meanwhile, Abingdon recorded their first victory of 2017, beating Chesham 21-13 in the BB&O Premier.