Bletchley fought against the odds, and a numerical disadvantage, to beat Bicester at Manor Fields

It may have been cold but it was a fiery encounter between Bletchley and Bicester, one which saw Bletchley reduced in numbers but coming out on top 39-27.

Bletchley took the lead at Manor Fields after just eight minutes when Josh Sprules finished off a series of powerful pick-and-carry phases close to the line, forcing his way through traffic to open the scoring. Captain and fly half Cameron Watkins added the conversion to make it 7–0.

Bicester responded four minutes later with a converted try of their own, but Bletchley would hit back quickly when Ollie Comery crossed over, Watkins again with the boot to make it 14-7 after 16 minutes.

The game swung back and forth, so it was little surprise when Bicester took a 17-14 lead on 32 minutes, but a Watkins penalty levelled things up just a few minutes later.

But then the flashpoint on the stroke of half-time. After Watkins was picked up and carried by a Bicester player, despite not even having the ball, a fracas ensued. Two Bicester players were shown yellow cards, as was prop Luke Cooper for Blechley, while Scott Aspinall was shown a red card for his involvement in the scrap. The outcome left Bletchley playing the remainder of the match with 14 men, and temporarily reduced to 13.

Despite their numbers disadvantage, Archie Barrett gave Bletchley the lead five minutes into the second-half, but Bicester would kick themselves within two points at 22-20 ten minutes later.

They looked as though they would make their numbers advantage count with a try on 58 minutes to lead 27-22, but that would be the end of their fortunes as Bletchley hit back in style.

Comery finished off a great move for his second try of the afternoon before debutant Sam Garwood marked his first appearance in emphatic fashion after a long line-out with his first try for the club to extend Bletchley’s lead.

The home side cemented the result four minutes from time when Barrett got his second try after a brilliant blindside move.

The win sees Bletchley to eighth in Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern North.