A depleted Wallingford side lost 52-7 at South West 1 East title favourites Cheltenham, but showed enough spirit to suggest a brighter future.
Missed tackling proved costly early on as tries from Jason Graham, Ashley Wager, Richard Morris, Rich Athey and a Chris Surman conversion put Cheltenham 22-0 up.
Wallingford managed to steady the ship and makeshift centre Will Woodward broke through to score under the posts, full back Ralph Smith converting.
Woodward’s centre partner Pete Holton was sin-binned for slapping No 8 Charles Daniell and Cheltenham took advantage with Morris scoring his second try.
Jermaine Webster, Ian Jeffreys and Will Woodward all carried the ball well for Wallingford after the break.
But Daniell, Ben Stew, Tom Lait and Lee Douglas added further tries, Surman converting two as Wallingford’s pack, who lost flanker Dorian Jenkins to the sin bin, started to struggle.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here