Oxford Cavaliers paid the penalty for a slow start and lost 40-26 at home to Gloucestershire Warriors in the South West Division of the Totalrl.com Rugby League Conference.
The visitors punished Oxford for continually losing possession and had already posted five tries before Adam White put the home side on the scoresheet just before half-time.
In the second period, the Cavaliers came out fighting, and their youthful endeavour soon began to tell against older opponents.
Adrian Clarke twice burst through to score as the west countrymen began to flag in the high temperatures.
Other Cavaliers players to touch down, in a half which saw them outscore their opponents 22-12, were Piers Skinner, Marc Grant and Dan Hunter (twice).
Oxford boss Matt Walsh was pleased with the overall performance.
"Considering that we had none of our RAF lads out there, we played really well, especially in the second half," he said.
"I reckon we have the makings of a pretty effective side and I'll be disappointed if we don't move up a gear against Worcestershire next week."
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