Domino's Oxford Saints survived a tense finish to reach the British Senior League Division 2 semi-finals with a 22-15 win over the Advance Personnel Surge, from Staffordshire, at Oxford RFC.

The result was in doubt until 30 seconds from the final whistle.

The Surge intercepted a pass from Oxford quarterback Wayne Mayers with about three minutes left, giving them an unexpected chance to snatch victory.

But the Saints defense forced two incomplete passes from Surge quarterback Richard Large.

He was sacked by defensive end John Lee and, on fourth down, Large threw another incompletion which meant the ball was turned over to Oxford.

Now Saints travel to play the Personal Assurance Knights, from Farnham - 33-0 winners over Merseyside Nighthawks - in the last four on Sunday, August 13.

Saints had beaten the Surge 44-0 earlier in the season, but Sunday's match was a completely different affair.

The visitors took the lead in the opening minutes when Large threw a 79-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Neil Sullivan. Jon Wyse added the extra point. But Oxford bounced back in the second quarter with American Henry Johnson catching a 15-yard touchdown pass from Mayers. The extra point kick was missed, leaving the half-time score 7-6.

Saints finally took the lead in the third quarter when running back Brian Myers scored on a three-yard run and quarterback Mayers ran in the two-point conversion to make it 14-7.

Johnson, this time playing on defense, again came up with another big play in the final quarter when he intercepted a wayward pass from Large and sprinted 41 yards for a touchdown. Fullback Chris Wright ran in the two-point conversion.

Trailing 22-7, the Surge rallied with wide receiver Lee Taylor catching an eight-yard touchdown pass from Large.

Wsye caught the two-point conversion pass and, with the scoreline at 22-15, it set up an exciting finish.