WALLINGFORD suffered defeat on the opening day of the Southern Counties North season, falling to a 33-21 loss at 14-man Aylesbury.

The Oxfordshire side took the lead after two minutes, thanks to a penalty.

But Aylesbury went onto dominate the rest of the match, scoring five tries, despite having Liam D’Almeida red-carded in the first half.

Scott McKenzie’s converted try put the hosts 7-3 in front, but a Wallingford penalty reduced their lead to one point.

However, Aylesbury made it 22-9, a penalty for the visitors sandwiching tries from James Serrano and D’Almeida.

The hosts, though, were forced to play the rest of the match with 14 men as D’Almeida was sent off for not using his arms in a tackle.

Wallingford took advantage straight away to score an unconverted try.

But they trailed 28-14 at the break when James Woodfall intercepted a pass and crossed for the hosts.

Marc Buther was sin-binned for Aylesbury in the second half and Wallingford crossed for their second score to reduce the arrears to seven points.

However, Dan Whittall dived over for the hosts to make the game safe.

Gosford All Blacks were also beaten in their season opener, losing 26-13 at home to Beaconsfield.

WHEATLEY had a late try disallowed as they were beaten 19-13 at Chesham.

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier newcomers started the campaign positively, taking a 3-0 lead, thanks to an Arron Laman penalty.

Chesham hit back with an unconverted try, but Laman was accurate from the tee, again, to make it 6-5.

However, the visitors lost their discipline and the home side responded with two penalties and a try to open up a 16-6 lead.

Wheatley improved after the break and Joe Taylor crossed. Laman converted to make it 16-13.

But, almost immediately, a lack of discipline cost the visitors again.

They conceded a soft penalty, which Chesham kicked for a six-point lead.

Wheatley bombarded the home defence and, after a catch and drive, crossed the line, but the maul was adjudged to have stopped three times and the try was disallowed.

Newly-promoted Littlemore were beaten 43-7 at Bletchley, while Didcot lost 22-15 at home to Milton Keynes.