A depleted Grove slipped to third in Southern Counties Northafter losing 22-6 at Amersham & Chiltern - their their first defeat of the league campaign

Prop Richard Keen and lock Rob Weaving were unavailable on the morning of the match.

Amersham captain Dan Kinsey slotted the first of five successful penalties after three minutes.

A counter-attack ended with Grove No 8 Ben Nicholl being forced out deep in the Amersham half, but Kinsey soon converted a try from wing George Mitchard.

Fly half Roger Sevier made it 10-3 with a penalty, while Grove felt home hooker Stefaan Myburgh, a former Springbok triallist, was lucky to escape with a yellow card after a shoulder charge on Zach Grant.

Kinsey slotted a penalty just after the break, but Roger Sevier made it 13-6 with his second three-pointer.

Amersham’s pack took charge and only strong defence, led by wing Tom Harrington and flanker Jamie Fredericks, kept them out.

But three instances of dissent allowed Kinsey to slot three more penalties.