Witney 41, Wallingford 5

Carl Strutt and Phil Gouldie grabbed try braces to fire Witney’s derby demolition of Wallingford in South West 1 East.

Centre Strutt and wing Gouldie were the chief beneficiaries as Witney produced the sort of display that will challenge most in this league.

It is unlikely they will retain the top spot they hold after two matches, but confidence is high after this seven-try romp.

Wallingford never recovered from conceding two tries in the opening ten minutes and face a long season ahead if they keep playing like this.

Witney could have scored in the opening minute, but inside two minutes a clinical catch-and-drive move ended with impressive hooker Sam Collins touching down.

Fly half Henry Lamb converted and did the same after Strutt capitalised on fellow centre James Lamb’s tackle-breaking run to bag his first try on nine minutes.

Wallingford were stunned and did not help themselves by twice kicking dead with a strong wind in their favour.

Collins won a scrum against the head, while wing James Monks sent his chip kick out after a useful break.

Wallingford started to gain territory and gave themselves hope on 36 minutes when flanker Matt Chapman reacted first to Tom Hill’s line-out throw, which appeared to miss its target, and dived over.

The visitors must have been buoyed when Henry Lamb missed an easy penalty after 46 minutes.

Witney, however, were sharper throughout as was shown when Gouldie snaffled a bouncing ball and sprinted over on the left wing for 19-5.

On 58 minutes, lock Owen Fowler popped a pass to No 8 Joe Rowles, who blasted over for Henry Lamb to convert.

Wallingford replacement Dan Stalker and full back Henry Venners combined well inside their own half, but the move broke down.

The visitors’ tackling was flimsy, compared with Witney’s James Lamb-led effort.

And on 71 minutes, Gouldie was able to break through and score his second try.

There was more to come as Strutt fed James Lamb for try No 6 on 76 minutes.

A seventh looked on when Monks raced 70 metres from his own half and fed replacement Aaron Lambourne, but he inexplicably knocked on.

Witney, however, ended on a high as some great hands, led by Henry Lamb, led to Strutt touching down on the right.

Witney: Thomas, Monks, Strutt, J Lamb (capt), Gouldie (Lambourne 75), H Lamb, G Campbell, Fuller (Nicholson 55), S Collins, Richens, Fowler, M Copperwheat, J Hicks, C Campbell, Rowles (Caffekey 65).

Wallingford: Venners, L Lewis, Collett (Stalker 35), Brettell (Best 51-61 [blood]), Smith, Pooler, Dawes, Marris, Hill, P Lewis (Small 69), D Jenkins, Rowberry, Matt Chapman, White (Best 61), Jeffreys (capt) (Best 31-32 [blood]).

Referee: A Rolfe (Oxfordshire).

Man-of-the-match: S Collins.