GROVE made a bright start to life in Southern Counties South with a comeback 29-20 victory away to North Dorset.

Relegated from South West 1 East, the visitors feared the worst when they trailed 13-3 following a slow start.

But they stormed back to draw level at half-time thanks to a try from Dave Maryon and conversion by Conor Hull, who added his second penalty goal.

Grove dominated the second half, with Guy Nicholl scoring their second try and 11 points from the boot from Hull, who had a 100 per cent kicking record.

In Southern Counties North, Wallingford’s 25-3 success at home to Bicester was marred by a serious injury to Sam Botting, who suffered a broken ankle.

The visitors built up a 15-0 lead thanks to tries from Pete McKinley and Ralph Smith, plus a conversion and penalty from Jack Edwards.

Bicester scored a penalty during a strong period of pressure, before the impressive Nathan Chapman was put over by Peter Swainston for Wallingford’s final try. Edwards, who landed a second penalty added the conversion.

Newly-promoted Littlemore lost 38-17 away to Abbey.

Gosford All Blacks came from 10-0 down with 20 minutes left to win 13-10 away to newly-promoted Oxford in the BB&O Premier.

The home side took a 7-0 half-time lead, when after a thunderous drive from Karl Crockford, scrum half Danny Williams fed fly half Shane Turner, who danced over for a try that Tom Murton converted.

In the second half, Gosford, relegated from Southern Counties North last season, were hanging on and conceded a penalty, which Murton landed to make it 10-0.

Tiring Oxford were then disrupted by injuries to Josh Morris and Elias Charlett and the visitors closed the gap with a penalty and a try.

Two minutes from time, Gosford snatched victory with a late try.

Didcot started with a bonus point 29-13 win away to Tadley.

The visitors dominated the first half, scoring tries through Tom Kennedy and Charlie Ellis and a conversion from Lucas Hill. Tadley replied with two penalties to make it 12-6 at the break.

Didcot scored a try through Craig Samuel, converted by Josh Witts, before Tadley went over for a converted try.

But a penalty from Witts, who converted a try by Stephen Moran, saw the visitors home.