Oxford University produced a clinical display to hammer Major Stanley's XV 51-5 at Iffley Road.

The scratch opponents were never going to pose the threat offered by Saracens and Sale in the Dark Blues’ last two matches, but the students will have been pleased by their reduced error count.

This was a strong, if not spectacular team performance, with stand-out displays from lock Ian Kench and centre Alex Cheesman.

The former was named man-of-the-match after a superb second-half performance, while the latter has gone from a bit-part player to a real force in the No 13 shirt.

Oxford struggled for rhythm early on and fly half Ross Swanson hit the post with a penalty.

Willem Klopper, a late replacement for Nick Haydon at scrum half, opened the scoring with a tenth-minute try created when Cheesman broke through two tackles.

Swanson converted, but his side took time to gain the upper hand.

Ten minutes later, a well-flighted cross-kick from Stanley’s replacement fly half Owen Farrell gave wing and Saracens teammate James Short an easy finish on the right.

Oxford’s flying wing Tim Catling had gone close on the left before he ran in try No 2 on 25 minutes following a sharp inside pass from centre Jules Allfrey.

Swanson added a penalty after another powerful break from the irrepressible Chees-man.

It was 24-5 at the break after the Dark Blues’ backs created a massive overlap for lock Nic Van Zyl to touch down on the right, Swanson converting via a post.

The second half began in slightly flat fashion for the students, who had to make do with a Swanson penalty on 53 minutes to keep the scoreboard moving.

Stanley’s had gone close when Short beat full back Will Browne to a bouncing ball, but only threatened sporadically.

Swanson soon added a try, however, as he finished in the left corner after Kench accelerated through the middle.

Oxford replacement flanker Mike Rickner was sin-binned after a scuffle on halfway, but they still had the momentum.

Catling added his second try in the 66th minute after Kench eluded the defence with a spectacular long pass most backs would have been proud of.

There was still time for two more tries to cheer the large crowd.

First, No 8 Chris Davies ploughed over from close range, then Browne weaved his way through at great speed for the try of the match.

Allfrey converted both as Oxford passed the 50-point mark and ended an entertaining match on a high note.

Oxford Univ: Browne, Morris* (Mahony* 50), Cheesman*, Allfrey, Catling*, Swanson* (Boyes 65), Klopper (Waite 74), Lutton* (Oliver 67), Rosen* (capt) (Rogers 67), Tomaszczyk* (Kane 77), Kench*, Van Zyl* (Outen 61), Makoto, Gibson (Rickner 32), Davies*.

Major Stanley’s XV: Hylton (Esher), Short (Saracens) Mezger* (Barnes 58), Green-halgh (Northampton), Gregory* (Richmond), Nutt (Ox Harlequins) Fenwick (Canterbury Maori 58), Slade* (Westcombe Pk) (Farrell (Saracens 14), Henry* (Richmond) Barr* (Rosslyn Park) 40), Waller (Northampton) (Chadbone (Ox Harlequins) 62), Dalgleish* (Henley) (Ritchie (Rosslyn Pk) 58), Frasier (Harlequins), Anderson (Wasps) (Chance (Westcombe Pk) 40), Ascroft-Leigh (Newbury) (Graham (Henley) 58), George (Richmond), Volley (capt, London Scottish) (Clarke* (Richmond) 52), Wray (Saracens) (Boyle (Ox Harlequins) 39).

Referee: L Pearce.