OXFORDSHIRE Under 18s battled back in style to defeat Gloucestershire 24-12 at Bristol Grammar School.

The visitors trailed 12-0 at half time thanks to two tries and a conversion in their first ‘England pathway’ match, which leads towards selection for the South West team.

Oxon began their comeback early in the second half as No 8 and captain Matt Farrell-Cox (Abingdon) went over from a driving maul.

Flanker Alex Collis (Shiplake College) bagged try No 2 before school colleague, replacement Joe Carey, added a brace.

Fly half Rory Garrett kicked two conversions, while and fellow Abingdon School pupil, flanker Mike Dewar, and lock Doug Backhouse (Banbury) put in stand-out performances.

TRIES from Liam Duggan and Francois Blin earned Bicester Colts a narrow 14-12 victory in their friendly at Oxford.

Leo Bethell converted both scores.

OTHER SCORERS

Under 16: Bromsgrove 0, Banbury 45 (tries J Anderson 2, L Catania 2, C Mallock 2, R Lines; cons J Briggs 5).

Under 15: Banbury 22 (tries J Peters 2, O Howlett, M Saar; con J Manning), Daventry 5.

Under 10: Chinnor A 0, Banbury A 30 (tries C Davies 2, J Hancock, C Smith, J Joubert, H Nelson).