TIM Rumford is urging his players to step up to the plate when Oxford Rugby League begin their Kingstone Press League 1 home campaign against York City Knights on Sunday.

Oxford were beaten 32-10 at Coventry Bears on the opening day of the season on Good Friday.

Head coach Rumford was bitterly disappointed by the result, and is looking to make changes this weekend as he searches for a much needed reaction at Iffley Road.

“We need to starting rising to these challenges,” he said.

“The honeymoon period is over, we’ll be looking to bring in some players.

“But it happens at this level, we’re not going to cast anyone aside but it’s important we realise as a club and as individuals where we are.

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“Having a wake-up call early on certainly won’t do us any harm.”

York are also licking their wounds after a 28-12 defeat at home to Keighley Cougars, but Rumford is under no illusions about the test that awaits his side.

He added: “The game against York is going to be really tough, but it’s a great challenge.

“It’s our first home game of the season and there’s lots of interest locally and we need to step up.”

He added: “If we can be competitive in the closing stages of the game then it will give us a chance of taking the points – that’s what we’re looking for.”