RUGBY LEAGUE: Hat-trick hero gets Cavaliers off mark (From Oxford Mail)

RUGBY LEAGUE: Hat-trick hero gets Cavaliers off mark

6:31pm Wednesday 27th May 2009 in

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John Connaughton scored a hat-trick of tries as Oxford Cavaliers posted their first win of the season with a 48-30 victory over Southampton Spitfires in the Rugby League Conference London & South Division at Stratfield Brake, Kidlington.

Connaughton’s treble came midway through the first half.

And they stepped up the pressure in the second half, with half-backs Tom Waterfield and James O’Riley exploiting gaps in the tiring visitors’ defence.

Oxford University post-graduate James Batstone rounded off his first game of the season with two tries, showing good acceleration and some deft footwork.

Stuart Hannah was another to bag a brace of tries and Adam White also crossed the Southampton line.

Spitfires scored a late consolation try after Cavaliers dropped the ball.

Oxford coach Mark Shaw said: “I was very pleased to get the first win, a lot of positives from the game. The squad is growing in confidence and the teamwork is improving.”