OXFORDSHIRE ran in seven tries to record a 43-19 victory in County Championship Plate Pool 3 at Dry Leas.

But had it not been for Dorset & Wilts' shocking start, this comfortable win could have been a decent contest.

The visitors were visibly shaken as Oxon romped into a 29-0 lead after just 31 minutes.

And when home fly half James Cathcart ran in a breakaway try from 90 metres on the stroke of half-time, they seemed set to lose by a cricket score.

The second half, however, was a completely different story as Dorset & Wilts scored 19 consecutive points and took control up front.

But after collecting two wins from two championship games, Oxon remain a real title threat, particularly if they can focus for the entire 80 minutes.

The hosts took the lead inside a minute and proceeded to turn up the heat.

Centre Alex Wallace and full back James Hewitt combined to give right wing Martin Nutt an easy finish.

Six minutes later, it was 10-0 after lock Craig Burrows went over in the left corner.

Captain Jamie Cope was having a field day, punching through a shell-shocked defence, and his break set up try No 3.

The resulting scrum saw Kenny Bingham pop the ball to Nutt and this time Cathcart converted from wide on the right.

Dorset & Wilts were struggling to clear their line, let alone mount an attack, and a poor clearance gave winger Andy Noyce room to scamper over on the left.

Noyce struck on 16 minutes and the visitors somehow managed to hold out until succumbing again just after the half-hour.

Centre Andy Henley powered his way over for a debut try after Cathcart's clever flick, and the fly half's conversion made it 29-0.

Dorset & Wilts finally managed to get a foothold with No 8 Hayden Hokianga, winger James Croke and lock George Leyland all threatening.

The deficit meant they passed up a kickable penalty in stoppage time and were punished by Cathcart's intercept try and conversion, just as they looked like scoring themselves.

Dorset & Wilts came out fired up and scored a fine try through centre Guthry Holiday on 48 minutes after good work from Croke and scrum half Sam Hardcastle.

Fly half Ben Stevenson slotted the conversion and made it two kicks out of two when Hokianga twisted his way over on the hour mark.

Oxon lacked their early rhythm and almost slipped up when Bingham ran the ball out of his own try area.

The hosts stopped Matt Guy running in on the left wing, but conceded a deserved try to Croke in the right corner after 78 minutes.

Nutt came close to his hat-trick in stoppage time after dancing into the 22.

But it was fitting that Cope, the only Oxon forward to shine throughout, surged over after Cathcart's break, with the Reading man also converting.