WALLINGFORD overcame a late rally from Gosford All Blacks to sign off for Christmas on a high note with an 18-13 home victory.

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

Phil Dawes levelled in kind for Wallingford, who took an 8-3 interval lead when 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 a recurrence of a shoulder injury.

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

Wallingford fly half James Wiltshire then raced over in the corner for an unconverted try on 52 minutes.

To their credit, Gosford rallied with Jack Briggs scoring a try after great driving play from Luke Newton, Myles Selvey and 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.

In South West 1 East, Grove lost 24-17 at Windsor.

Didcot scrambled to a 16-15 success at home to Hungerford in the BB&O Premier.

But in the Championship, Harwell were beaten 84-3 by Littlemore and Faringdon lost 24-10 against Wheatley.