LOWLY Gosford All Blacks showed plenty of Christmas spirit as they fought back to gain a bonus point in their 18-13 defeat at Wallingford.

Despite losing centre Rhys Hayward with a pulled thigh muscle, the visitors took the lead after 25 minutes with a 40-metre penalty goal by full back Chris Bennett.

Phil Dawes levelled in kind for Wallingford, who took an 8-3 interval lead when tight -head prop Lawson Dallimore was driven over for an unconverted

try.

All Blacks suffered another blow early in the second half when lock Andy Simm went off with the recurrence of a shoulder injury.

Wallingford took advantage of the reshuffle and No 8 Ian Jeffreys touched down for an unconverted try.

Wallingford fly half James Wiltshire then dummied his way through and raced over in the corner for an unconverted try on 52 minutes.

To their credit, Gosford rallied with winger Jack Briggs scoring a try after great driving play from flanker Luke Newton, tight head prop Myles Selvey and centre Ben Bodinham

Harry Sutton quickly drop-goaled the conversion to make it 18-10.

This inspired the visitors to push for a losing bonus point with six minutes remaining when the reliable Bennett landed a penalty.

Tom Miles scored 18 points as Bicester recovered from a slow start to record a runaway 43-10 victory at home to Milton Keynes.

The visitors started well, taking a sixth-minute lead with a penalty goal from Brian Purcell.

It was not until the 25th minute that Bicester drew level with a penalty from Miles.

But by half-time, the home side were 17-3 in front.

Miles went over wide out before putting fly half Dave Hampton over for their second try, both of which he converted.

The early part of the second half belonged to big No 8 Francois Wiese, who scored two tries in five minutes as Bicester turned the screw.

Again Miles kicked both conversions.

Flanker Ryan Biscoe scored an unconverted try, before the visitors rallied to score their only try through replacement Brian Phipps converted by Purcell.

But Bicester had the final say when centre Lemeki Valevou scored their sixth try.

Miles converted to seal an easy victory which keeps them in second place in the table.