WALLINGFORD underlined their BB&O Premier Division title credentials by defeating local rivals Bicester 32-18 at the Hithercroft.

But Bicester might have snatched victory if they hadn't gifted Wallingford 15 second-half points.

The visitors started the stronger, but Wallingford scored first when centre Henry Pooler linked with flanker Simon Henderson, who crashed over in the corner.

Bicester's Chad Ward kicked a 30th-minute penalty after home flanker Matt Chapman was sin-binned.

The visitors had to repel some strong attacking and Pooler was denied a try after touching the corner flag before Bicester took the lead just before the break.

Flanker Anthony Nightingale, winger James Holton and scrum half Steve Risbridger worked the ball inside where a 15-metre forward drive ended in a try for hooker Darren Cassidy.

Wallingford's Olli Henderson reduced the arrears with a 43rd minute penalty.

Ten minutes later some great interplay between backs and forwards saw Pooler outpace the cover to score and Olli Henderson converted.

Ward's penalty made it 15-13, but home winger Nick Risk crossed on the left for Olli Henderson to convert.

A spectacular individual try from Ward gave Bicester hope.

Wallingford didn't panic and responded almost immediately when full back Henry Venners found a gaping hole to go through and score for Olli Henderson to convert.

Risk was denied a second try by a forward pass before Olli Henderson slotted a 35-metre drop goal.

A second-half rally could not save Gosford All Blacks from a 24-10 home defeat to Slough.

Fly half James O'Reilly scored and converted Slough's opening try early on.

A further Slough try followed through centre Johan Landman as he outflanked the cover. O'Reilly again converted.

Gosford were constantly outwitted at the rucks as Slough showed far more endeavour and only poor handling kept the score down.

The hosts, for whom flanker Dan Hughes and No 8 Liam Beesely were oustanding, improved after half-time.

But flanker Alex Hankinson bagged two unconverted tries to put the game beyond Gosford.

Replacement Matt Self scored with almost his first touch after a pop pass from Hughes.

Self dived over for try No 2.