BICESTER lost 41-36 at South West 1 East side Newbury Blues in pre-season.

Played over three periods of 30 minutes, Bicester won the first session 19-5, thanks to tries from Pauliasi Sema, Tim Farrow and Dave Aslett.

Dan Spencer kicked two conversions.

Dickie Walsh and Mike Harris went over as Bicester lost the second period 17-10.

They were then 34-29 down overall in the third, but re-took the lead when Sema went over for a converted score.

However, Newbury took victory late on, with Josh Winfield going over and Richard West adding the extras.

  • HENLEY Hawks take on the RAF tonight (7.30) in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the start of their National League 1 campaign next month.

Pete Davies’s side beat Pontypridd 27-21 on Saturday and start the new season against Rosslyn Park on September 5.

Coincidentally, Chinnor travel to the London-based club for their last friendly tomorrow evening (7.30).

They overcame Birmingham & Solihill 57-19 last time out.