BUCKS Cup holders Amersham and Chiltern started their South West Two season with a thrilling 24-22 win over Bucks rivals Aylesbury.

BUCKS Cup holders Amersham and Chiltern started their South West Two season with a thrilling 24-22 win over Bucks rivals Aylesbury.

The close encounter went down to practically the last kick of the game, when Aylesbury could have squared it with a conversion. In the event it sailed wide of the target and Amersham claimed all the points.

The previous form gave Amersham the edge going into the derby encounter. They have beaten Aylesbury on their last three meetings but never by more than six points.

Amersham started without new captain Brian Richardson, who had a viral infection, and fly-half Ryan Thomas, but they nosed in front early on.

David Richardson's try put them 5-0 up, but Aylesbury responded with a converted try of their own.

After the break, Richardson pushed his side back in front, by a point, with two penalties but again Aylesbury came back with a converted try to make it 17-11.

Again, it was Richardson who closed the gap for Amersham before O'Dell edged them in front with a try and when Dave Choules converted a drop goal to make it 24-17, Amersham looked home and dry.

But ten minutes of injury time made it a tense finish and when Aylesbury broke through the Amersham defence again, the conversion would have earned them a point, but it went wide of the target to seal it for the home side.