Maidenhead 4ths climbed to third in the league table as Bicester 3rds conceded the points because they had only 13 players and opted to play the fixture as a friendly, with Maids duo Seth Arsmtrong and Darren Sewell guesting for Bicester to ensure a 15-a-side game.

In the friendly, Maids turned in a decidedly lacklustre display and lost 22-19. Steve Bourne (2) and Jan Weddepohl scored the Maids tries, with Dave Goodman converting two of them.

Maids will certainly need to perform better when they entertain second-placed Buckingham on Saturday.