PHIL Dawes missed a late penalty as Wallingford fell to a 23-20 defeat at home to Bicester in a dramatic local derby.

The hosts, who maintained their 100 per cent record in the division, had led 14-10 at half-time in the Southern Counties North clash, thanks to tries from James Norris and Finbarr Aherne, both converted by Dawes.

Bicester’s points came from a charging try by winger Pete Tarrega plus a conversion and a penalty by Tom Miles.

In the second half, the visitors went 20-14 ahead with a try by replacement lock Matt Dye, which Miles converted, along with a penalty.

Two penalty goals by Dawes levelled the scores, before a magnificent 35-yards kick by Miles put Bicester back in front ten minutes from time. Then came Dawes’s late miss.

In South West 1 East, Grove continued their fine start to the season in beating Newbury Blues 19-18 at Cane Lane.

Jamie Cummings bagged 19 points as Abingdon scored a resounding 34-7 victory at home to previously unbeaten Didcot for their first victory of the season in the BB&O Premier Division.

Cummings scored two tries and landed three conversions and one penalty.

Abingdon’s other tries came from Dale Cross, Ollie Young and Jamie Lockrie.

Harwell lost 22-0 to Wheatley in the Championship.