TONY Glover scored four touchdowns as Oxford Saints came on strongly to beat Ouse Valley Eagles 35-14 at Tilsley Park.

The hosts could not convert their dominance in the first half, going in at half-time tied at 14-14.

But three of Glover’s scores came after the break as Saints cruised to a 35-14 victory in Southern Conference Central Division 1.

Both sides’ defences began strongly, but the deadlock was broken by the hosts’ James Walter, who sprinted in for a 44-yard touchdown.

Dean Fuller’s extra point effort was deflected, which allowed Ouse Valley to edge 7-6 in front when Mike Turner’s kick was successful following Richard Batten’s score.

Turner, a former Saints player, was on target again after running back Kalaba Chibwe charged over from five yards out.

The home side squandered chances and were not helped when quarterback Ben Denton was sidelined with suspected possible concussion, so Kyle Swann briefly took over.

But Oxford’s coaching staff experimented with a tactical switch late in the second quarter.

Running back Walter moved to quarterback for a drive which wore Eagles down.

The Saints kept the ball on the ground and alternated between runs from Walter, Antonious Athanasiou and Glover.

They drove the length of the field before Glover ran over the line for a 22-yard touchdown.

And Walter then found Richard Bloomer, who just stayed in bounds to claim the two-point score which made it 14-14.

Saints came out strongly in the second half and another strong drive led to Glover punching through.

Fuller added the point to open up a 21-14 advantage.

Further chances went begging before Glover claimed his hat-trick from close range in the fourth quarter.

Fuller was accurate again, as he was when Glover completed his four-timer late on following more good defensive work by Saints.

The second successive victory was the perfect preparation for their meeting with table-topping Sussex Thunder on Sunday, May 21.