WHEATLEY were left heartened by an impressive performance despite a 38-29 defeat at Slough.

As a result, the Berkshire hosts secured promotion from the BB&O Premier.

Slough led 17-15 at the break, thanks to tries from Craig Fullicks, James O’Reilly and Max Miles, Alex Allen converting the first.

Aaron Laman’s penalty, a James Neal score and a penalty try kept Wheatley in touch.

A Dan Rule try, converted by Laman, made it 22-17 to the visitors, but Slough’s Rob King crossed, Allen adding the extras.

Simon Chadbone was yellow carded for Wheatley and the hosts were awarded a penalty try, before making it 38-22 when Allen crossed and O’Reilly converted.

Wheatley grabbed a bonus point when Sanda Mpanza charged over, Laman adding the extras.

Meanwhile, Littlemore overcame Milton Keynes 54-13.

The hosts opened the scoring with a penalty.

But Littlemore hit back to lead 14-3 when Jonny Williams and Stewart Beale, who converted both, crossed.

Milton Keynes replied with a try of their own to cut the lead to four points.

However, Littlemore raised their game and took a 21-10 advantage into half-time, thanks to Cameron Bashford’s fine try. Beale added the extras.

After the break, Williams crossed for a second time, before Darren Andrews sped over.

Aaron Ward (2) and Scott Fernquest also got in on the act, with Beale converting four of the second-half tries.

Didcot beat Abingdon 19-15.

In the Championship, Chipping Norton won 45-19 at Harwell.

Lewis Giddings, Ben Granville and James Hoskyns-Jones crossed for the hosts, with Diego Alba Venero converting two tries.

Oxford beat Berkshire Shire Hall 58-5.

Wallingford returned to winning way with 24-20 victory at Reading in Southern Counties North.

Having lost their last two matches in league and cup, they bounced back in Berkshire.

Tries from Rhys Arnold, Nathan Chapman and James Norris, as well as three Phil Dawes penalties helped them to victory.

Second-bottom Gosford All Blacks suffered a 14th defeat of the season when beaten 34-5 at home by Aylesbury.