RUGBY UNION: Rob Woods plays starring role as Gosford All Blacks win Oxfordshire Shield

Gosford are now on course for the league and cup double as they hold an eight-point lead at the top of the BB&O Premier with two games left.

All Blacks former secretary and treasurer David Smith attended the game from his hospital bed at the Nuffield, witnessing an even first half.

Wheatley, who also play in the Premier, won the first two scrums against the head and were the more dangerous in the early stages.

Gradually Gosford got into the game and on 18 minutes Harry Sutton looked certain to score a try, but he was unable to gather the ball after kicking over the backline.

But they were soon on the scoreboard when Wheatley’s Josh Hilsdon screwed his clearance kick to scrum half Woods who dummied his way through from 30 metres.

Chris Bennett converted.

Wheatley responded as Hilsdon outpaced the All Blacks backline to score.

Aaron Laymen added the extras to level the match at 7-7 at half-time.

Gosford looked to improve after the break and on 48 minutes a Bennett penalty nudged them ahead.

They then made it 15-7 after Miles Johnson’s break allowed Sutton and Woods to send Will Watts over for an unconverted try.

On 51 minutes, open-side flanker Luke Newton was sin-binned for All Blacks, but they responded well and did not concede with only 14 players on the pitch.

Replacement Joe Pigott took over at blind-side on 61 minutes and made an immediate impact when he was driven over in the corner.

Bennett converted from out wide to make it 22-7.

Wheatley refused to give in, but lost Nick Banton to the sin-bin on 69 minutes.

And Piggot was next to be shown a yellow card as both sides went down to 14 men with five minutes to go.

Wheatley deservedly replied when Ben Kelsey forced his way over.

But Woods was rewarded for his outstanding performance when he twisted and turned his way to the line for his second try.

Bennett converted to complete the scoring and spark the celebrations.