RUGBY UNION: Grove knocked off the top (From The Oxford Times)

RUGBY UNION: Grove knocked off the top

10:30am Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Oxfordshire Club Rugby

Southern Counties North

FOURTEEN-man Grove lost top spot after slipping to a 32-21 at home to Buckingham.

Grove had wing Guy Nicholl sent off for a tip tackle on Buckingham’s Dom Reynolds in the second half, but still fought back to lead 21-20 with three minutes left.

Wing Harry Carr scored the first of a try double after five minutes, but Pat Ockenden peeled off a maul to notch for Buckingham, Andy White converting.

Full back Roger Sevier put Grove 8-7 ahead with a penalty after missing two long-range efforts, and added a second before the break.

Grove felt Nicholl’s red card changed the match and White immediately slotted the resulting penalty.

Another White penalty made it 13-11. Although Buckingham had a player yellow-carded, they scored again, White converting a try from Calum Gillie.

Grove rallied, with Carr bagging his second try after latching on to fly half Dave Maryon’s crosskick.

Sevier converted and added a penalty, but Buckingham replied with Phil Wright’s late try.

From the restart, Gillie ran the ball back with interest for a great solo try, White’s conversion completing a miserable day for Grove.

Two Phil Dawes penalties were all Wallingford had to show from a 46-6 defeat at Drifters, despite trailing just 13-3 at half-time.

Wallingford are now just one point above the relegation zone, but have a game in hand on rivals Tadley.

Alchester lost 54-7 at Olney, with fly half Tom Miles converting his own try.