GROVE remain at the Southern Counties South summit after beating Yeovil 39-24.

Tries from Ali McCarthy, Rory Gratwohl and James Monks gave the visitors the perfect start, McCarthy converting all three to give Grove a 21-0 lead.

But James Wiltshire’s yellow card upset their momentum, with Yeovil converting two tries.

Steve Dixie’s try made it 26-14 at half-time, but the visitors lost Mark Roberts and Martin Walsh to the sin bin after the break.

A pair of Yeovil scores, one converted, cut the deficit, but two McCarthy penalties gave Grove breathing space.

Ollie Nichol’s try sealed victory with eight minutes left, McCarthy converting.

Lloyd Allen’s late try saw Witney beat Shipston on Stour 17-12 and keep their 100 per cent record in Southern Counties North intact.

Ben Fisk crossed for an unconverted fourth-minute try, before Allen crossed and Tom Puddle added the extras.

But Witney lost their focus and two Shipston tries in ten minutes, one converted, levelled the scores.

The visitors dominated the second half but struggled to find a way through, until Allen popped up with eight minutes left for an unconverted score.

A heroic Bicester comeback proved in vain as they lost 27-24 at home to Stow-on-the-Wold.

Two Dan Walker penalties sandwiched an unconverted try for the visitors to put the hosts 6-5 ahead.

But a pair of quickfire scores, both converted, saw Stow race into a 19-6 lead at the break.

Another try increased the gap, but Walker’s third penalty kick-started the comeback.

Two Will Anns tries and Charlie Bethell’s effort drew Bicester level, but a Stow penalty made the difference.

Wallingford lost 16-12 at Aylesbury and Didcot went down 41-14 at home to Reading.

Elsewhere, Chipping Norton lost 23-12 at home to Milton Keynes in their top-of-the-table clash in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier.

Gosford All Blacks closed the gap to the leaders with a 60-7 triumph over Hungerford, while Abingdon beat Slough 48-15.

Wheatley claimed a narrow 22-19 win over Tadley, but Oxford were beaten 39-27 at Bletchley.

Littlemore’s match at Drifters was cancelled.