Oxford University 20,

Henley Hawks 23

Henley Hawks held on to inflict an embarrassing defeat on Oxford University at Iffley Road last night.

Hawks effectively fielded a second team, with only two of their starting XV from Saturday’s 85-3 hammering of Barking lining up for kick-off.

But they proved too strong for an Oxford side, who looked well below the standard they will need to give Cambridge a decent game at Twickenham on December 6.

This defeat, played in front of a sparse crowd, must act as a wake-up call for the Dark Blues, who now have four matches to get it right for their Varsity showdown.

Very few parts of the students’ game functioned, although No 8 Alex Waddingham, captain for the night, did his best to lead his struggling side.

Fly half Charlie Marr kicked Oxford ahead with a fifth-minute penalty and controlled the tempo early on.

Marr’s second penalty made it 6-0 on nine minutes, but Henley replied with a well-struck drop goal from their No 10, Adam Lubbock.

A raft of penalties made for a scrappy period, while the students did well to clear after Henley No 8 Rupert Crossland broke into their 22.

Hawks could have levelled, but Lubbock slipped as he struck a penalty awarded for a scrum infringement.

Henley kept coming and Oxford lock Tim Little was sin-binned.

From the resulting lineout, lock Andrew Cannock was driven over and Lubbock converted for 10-6.

Although Marr impressed with some probing kicks, Oxford twice lost attacking lineouts and failed to mount consistent pressure.

Henley ended the half on top, deservedly extending their lead with a Lubbock penalty.

Hawks picked up where they left off and scored a second try in very similar fashion on 47 minutes.

This time, Marr was the Blues man yellow-carded and captain Chris Emmett was driven over from the resulting lineout, Lubbock converting for 20-6.

Oxford started to find some rhythm and managed a close-range try on 56 minutes through Waddingham.

Marr converted to make it 20-13, but missed a straight-forward penalty to reduce the arrears further.

Lubbock slotted a three-pointer on 68 minutes and Henley led by ten again.

Flanker Gus Jones fumbled as he tried to break through for Oxford, but replacement scrum half Stuart Commins produced a moment of magic to tap and go from halfway.

His pace took him to the line and Marr converted for 23-20.

Such a close margin probably flattered the students, who are set to field a far stronger team against Russia on Sunday, and Henley were able to close out a deserved victory.

Oxford University: Hudson*, Wareham (Bramham-Law* 41), Cho (Boardman 59), Turner*, Dargan (Mather* 34), Marr*, McCulla (Commins 45), Anderson* (Park 72), Wisson (Grounds 41), Direen (Powell 59), Little, Fell (Craggs 20, Hitchings 51), Rickner, Jones, Waddingham (capt). *Denotes Blue.

Henley Hawks (starting XV): Haynes, Gillespie, Baggett, Lillington, O’Neil, Lubbock, Drake, Skipworth-Martin, Clarke, Manning, Clements, Cannock, Woodward, Emmett (capt), Crossland.

Referee: J Sullivan (RFU).

Man-of-the-match: Crossland.