Oxford Bulls returned from Solihull beaten but pleased with a much-improved performance from the last time they faced the Vikings.

Solihull, who are one of the UK's top amateur sides, had drubbed a weakened Bulls side 24-7 in February, but this time Oxford made them fight all the way before going down 10-7.

The home side took an early lead, before Oxford's American defender Jim Waterman levelled, but Solihull kept up the pressure.

The Vikings were stunned at the start of the second period when James Schall and Daryl Williams put the Bulls 4-3 in front but the home side hit back with four goals to lead 7-4 at the final break.

Slovakian Bakalar completed his hat-trick early on in the third and final period and Solihull must have thought the Bulls were buried.

But they hit back through Colin Mortimer and Schall before Solihull scored again.

Williams scored his second of the match with two minutes remaining, but Solihull had the final say with another goal.

Oxford scorers: Colin Mortimer 1+3, Daryl Williams 2+1, James Schall 2+1, Ed MacKenzie 1+0, Jim Waterman 1+0, Marlon Williams 0+1, Amy Hadden 0+1, Dave Wallington 0+1, Kevin Biggs 0+1.