OXFORD RL made it three victories from four games in beating South Wales Scorpions 20-12 in Caerphilly.

The win ensures the Blues will finish 13th ahead of their final Kingstone Press League 1 Shield clash against North Wales Crusaders at Abingdon’s Tilsley Park on September 11.

In a hard-fought battle, Oxford recovered from 12-4 down at the start of the second half to secure victory, with Andrew Hoggins, Harry Griffiths and Nathan Kitson crossing.

The hosts looked dangerous in the opening stages, but the visitors defended strongly to keep them at bay.

And it was the Blues who took the lead when Aaron Nicholson leapt on to Kitson’s grubber to cross.

The latter missed the conversion.

Wet conditions led to both sides making handling errors.

But Scorpions hit back to lead 6-4, with Chris Vitalini going over from close range on 26 minutes, Paul Emanuelli added the extra two points.

Oxford’s Hoggins was sin-binned for a late tackle just before the break and the home side looked to have taken advantage of the extra man straight away, but Zak Williams’s try was chalked off for crossing.

However, they did not have to wait long as Christiaan Roets powered over the line for Scorpions.

Emanuelli missed the conversion, but the hosts led 10-4 at the break.

The conditions continued to hamper both sides and a forward pass denied Scorpions another try through Sion James.

But they did make it 12-4 midway through the half when Emanuelli kicked a 40-metre penalty.

Oxford hit back almost immediately as Hoggins pounced on his own grubber for an unconverted try.

And they soon led 14-12 when Griffiths made a clean break and Kitson added the extra two points.

Roets and Kyle Scrivens nearly combined for a Scorpions winner, but the chance was lost.

And the Blues secured victory when Kitson broke away in the final seconds and converted his own try.