Gosford All Blacks exited the Southern Counties Senior Vase at the first round stage after losing 31-27 at home to Melksham.

Centre Harry Sutton gave Gosford the lead after being fed by fly half James Holburn, but Melksham replied with atry from wing Nick Tuckett.

Gosford wing Ben Bodinham rounded his opposite number to make it 10-5, but visiting hooker Mark Hyde was driven over.

Eliott Newell went over in the corner and then added a second unddr the posts, converted by Tim Ellis to give Gosford a 22-10 half-time lead.

Melksham had the wind advantage after the break and reduced the arrears with a Tuckett try, converted by Scott Simmons.

Simmons did the same to a score from Elliott Taylor to put Melksham 24-22 ahead.

Flanker Josh Patridge forced his way over from a penalty, Simmons converting for 31-22.

Gosford showed resilience, with Sutton running in his second try, but they couldn’t claw back the further four points.

Harwell’s run of poor results continued with a 39-0 home defeat to Bridport.

Bridport led 10-0 at the break and took control as Harwell faded near the end.

Oxford were handed a walkover by Sutton Benger, Alchester defeated Swindon College 17--5, while Abingdon were thrashed 74-12 at home by Broadmoor Staff.

Littlemore beat East Dorset 24-13 in their Southern Counties Junior Vase quarter-final.

Lee Gillett scored two tries, with skipper Dean Andrews also crossing over.

Gillett kicked three conversions and a penalty.

OTHER SCORERS

BB&O Premier A: Bicester 2nd 41 (tries E Rakacikaci, 2, M Rakacikaci, Q Eliki, L Massey, B Waqalevu, M Tuiwai; cons Eliki 2, Ulay; Oxford Harlequins 2nd 56 (tries O Campbell 2, W Spencer 2, C Davies 2, M Thompson, A Noyce, H Taylor, J Todd; cons J Bean 2, M Thompson), Chinnor 3rd 0.

Friendly: Grove 2nd 24, Oxford Harlequins 4th 5 (try R Telling).