OXFORD UNIV 10, LEICESTER 10: Oxford gave their best display of the season when holding a strong Leicester Tigers second team to a draw at Iffley Road last night.

Karelle DixonIn a tight, low-scoring contest, the Dark Blues displayed the qualities that they will need for a fourth successive victory over Cambridge at Twickenham in December.

After taking a ten-point lead in a dominant first-half display, they had to withstand enormous pressure and did well to concede just the one try after spending about 15 minutes pinned on their own line.

Oxford, forced to make late changes, started strongly against a Leicester side who had been delayed by a one-hour motorway hold-up, and might have been well out of sight at half-time.

With their scrum on top, Oxford had the chance to build a big score. Unfortunately, fly half Matt Honeyben missed three early penalties.

Eventually Oxford took the lead in the 26th minute. Slick passing and a neat miss-move sent the ever-dangerous full back Will Rubie speeding down the right wing, before a short inside past gave winger Karelle Dixon a clear run to the posts.

Honeyben converted and then landed a 40-metre penalty with his best kick of the night to give his side a ten-point cushion at half-time.

Leicester, whose first-half had been littered with errors, cut them to a bare minimum after the break, and by retaining possession for long periods, kept the Blues under severe pressure.

Oxford's tackling was immense with centre Andrew Willett and the back-row of Kiwi Fraser Gemmell, Australian Dave Lubans and Irishman Richie Woods immense.

With 15 minutes left, Leicester finally scored as flanker Ben Gerry nipped through half a gap close to the line.

Fly half Craig McMullern converted, and then following another spell of pressure, opted for a penalty kick at goal which he landed to level the scores.

Neither side deserved to loose in a stirring match in front of an 800-strong crowd, who were on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. Oxford: Rubie, Dixon, Allen, Willett, Ellerby, Honeyben, Taberner, Wood, Griffiths, Hughes (Nwume 53), Russell, C Edwards, Gemmell (capt), Woods, Lubans.

Leicester: Myring, Naufahu, Hipkiss (Rolt 52), Glirtherow, Hersey, McMullen, Hamilton (capt), Holford, Buckland, Nebbett (Cook), Short, Hurrrell (Wheeler), Deacon, Gerry, Balding.

Referee: D Grashoff (East Midlands).