Oxford Univ 8, Fijians 46

By MICHAEL KNOX OXFORD University gave a rousing performance in front of 2,500 crowd but could not stop the powerful and pacy Fijians from cruising to a comfortable victory at Iffley Road last night.

The Dark Blues held their own in the first half and were far from flattered by the tourists' 15-3 interval lead.

But after the break, Fiji, fielding seven of the side who trounced Scotland 51-26 at Suva in May, pounced on the slightest error to pull away.

With Andy Roberts to the fore in the line-out, Oxford held their own up front, but the backs got little change from the strong-tackling tourists.

After 16 minutes, the students deserved be 3-0 ahead courtesy of Nick Booth's penalty.

Fiji fly half Nicky Little, nephew of the great All Black centre Walter Little, levelled the scores with a penalty and then converted a try by elusive winger Fero Lasagavibau, who scored a hat-trick against Scotland.

Just before half-time, Oxford full-back Richie Woodfine, who had earlier prevented a try with a great tap tackle, misdirected a Garry Owen.

Fiji seized on the error and full back Jonetani Waqabitu finished off an excellent move in the left corner.

Waqabitu scored again just after the interval as Little's conversion and penalty stretched the Fijians' lead to 25-3.

Oxford had their moments and elusive scrum half Shaun Barry nipped over for a try from a short penalty ten metres from the line. Unusually, Booth's conversion from in front of the posts was charged down.

Despite some mazy runs from Oxford centre Nathan Ashley from limited possession, Fiji dominated the rest of the game and added further tries from prop Joeli Veitayaki, Lasagvibau and scrum Samisoni Rabaka.

Little, Waqabitu and replacement Opeti Turuva all added conversions.

After four successive wins, the Dark Blues left the field disappointed by the margin of defeat, which was a quite respectable scoreline against an international outfit.

But Oxford certainly gave the watching Cambridge side plenty of food for thought before their Twickenham clash on December 8.

Oxford Univ: R Woodfine, N Booth, N Ashley, J Kinniburgh (N Marsh 80), N Humphries, K Shuman, S Barry, A Collins, B O'Connor (M Parker 74), A Reuben, A Roberts, A Russell, N Celliers, R Heaslip, T Miuchi.

Fijians: J Waqabitu, A Bosekora, V Satala, L Koroi, F Lasagavibau, N Little (O Turuva 74), S Rabaka (M Taga 68), D Rouse, G Smith (capt), J Veitayaki, A Naevo, I Tawake, W Masirewa (T Butukanavula 79), S Tawake, K Sewabu.

Referee: R Dickson (Scotland).

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