Oxford University showed plenty of promise in a 24-10 victory over a young Wasps side at Iffley Road on Monday night.

Having been beaten 74-10 by Northampton in their previous match, the Dark Blues defended far better this time and scored three good tries.

Captain Jacob Taylor was named man of the match and provided the high point with a superb solo try.

There was a flashpoint in just the second minute when Taylor was taken out in mid air by a reckless tackle from Wasps centre Ollie Evans as he jumped for a high ball.

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Referee Dan Parrott had no hesitation in sending Evans off, but fortunately Taylor was able to continue.

Wasps full back Piers O’Conor got away with a charged down clearance on 11 minutes as Dark Blues centre Matt Janney went close to the opening try.

But fly half George Cullen soon slotted a penalty after Oxford demolished the visitors’ scrum.

This was the signal for Wasps to lay siege to the home 22 and, after being repeatedly held up and following the sin-binning of Oxford prop Lewis Anderson, they finally struck.

Some tidy mauling work ended with prop Will Stuart scoring on the left.

Following a scrum against the head, Janney sliced through midfield and the ball was quickly recycled for Sam Egerton to go over.

Cullen converted his scrum half’s try to leave the hosts 10-5 up at the break.

Oxford continued to hold sway at scrum time, but it was a piece of solo skill that saw Taylor weave his way through for their second try on 47 minutes.

Cullen converted and the Dark Blues were in control.

A pushover try from George Messum, who had shifted to No 8 after an early injury to Fraser Heathcote, extended their advantage, Cullen converting from out wide.

Taylor took one for the team with a yellow card to stop a late Wasps attack led by replacement James Small-Edwards, the son of Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards.

The visitors had the final say with a try in the corner from Callum Sirker.

Oxford University: J Taylor*, Doe* (Strang 49), Janney*, Macdonald*, Lamont*, Cullen (Goodfellow 63), Egerton* (de Berker 59), Anderson* (Scaife 66), Gardner* (Quayle 69), Williams* (Western 69), Reeson-Price*, Peter (MacGilchrist* 50), Messum, Jones*, Heathcote* (Thomas 6). * denotes Blue.

Wasps: O’Conor, Howe, Evans, Eastwell (McLean 69), Dolan (Sirker 56), Sheppard (Small-Edwards 46), Bliss, Darkintis (Beckett 47), James (Edgson 47), Stuart (Darkinitis 51), Bloxham, Rolfe, Baldwin, Lyons, Hirskyj-Douglas.

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