Despite being reduced to 14 men following the sending-off of centre Anthony Cope, Oxford Harlequins romped to a handsome 42-25 victory over Southern Counties North bottom club Drifters at Horspath Road on Saturday.

Cope received his marching orders just before half-time for dissent after being penalised for a short-arm tackle.

Quins were leading only 15-13 at the time following tries by prop Jon Silversides and winger Steve Chadbone, plus a conversion and penalty from Chris Penney.

Having lost flanker Adam Rudd through injury, Quins appeared to be up against it. But they steadied the ship with two penalties from Penney.

They produced some excellent inter-play between forwards and backs to score further tries from flanker Paul Browne, full back Gareth D Jones and hooker Simon Chadbone - his first for the club.

Penney converted all three to put Quins well out of reach, even though Drifters scored two second-half tries themselves.