Gareth Rees was delighted with the victory in his first match as Oxfordshire coach.

The Cokethorpe School teacher said: “When we get the basics right, we have got the ability to hurt teams and play some exciting rugby.

“As we made changes, it was slightly more difficult to sustain the patterns we were looking to play. It was encouraging that we kept on trying to play.

“The players have had a hard season and a lot of them are quite battered, but they have come out with a positive attitude and a willingness to play.

“We were well led up front with some strong performances in the front five.

“We know Essex will be tougher and we have got things to work on, but you could not have wished for a better start.”