OXFORD fought back from 18-4 down to beat Hemel Stags 23-22 in a thrilling game at Iffley Road in which Jonny Leather slotted a late drop goal to secure victory.

It saw Oxford record their first success on home soil and inflicted a first defeat of the season on the visitors.

Aidan Pritchard put Hemel ahead on four minutes, Mike Bishay adding the conversion.

But Oxford hit back with Shaun Robinson diving over after good work from Leather.

However, the visitors took control with tries from Mike Forgham and Pritchard’s second, Bishay adding the extra points on both occasions.

It saw the visitors lead 18-4 with just over 30 minutes on the clock.

However, helped by a couple of injuries to Hemel players, Oxford hit back before half-time.

Tommy Connick ended a superb team move by going over, with Leather adding the conversion to make it 18-10 at the interval.

A great kick from Brett Robinson on 54 minutes saw a kind bounce allow Danny Halliwell to score and Leather’s kick made it 18-16.

Lucas Onyango then touched down in the corner to give Oxford the lead for the first time, Leather again missing the chance to add the extra points.

Hemel refused to lie down and went back into the lead on 61 minutes after a kick by Bishay was missed by the Oxford defence and Aaron Small touched down.

Bishay missed the conversion and when Leather hit a penalty with five minutes left, the scores were level.

But Leather kept his cool when presented with a drop-goal opportunity late in the game, slotting his effort between the posts for a dramatic victory.

Oxford: Leather, Onyango, Halliwell, Morris, S Robinson, Connick, B Robinson, Clarke, Roden, Ellison, Clough, Bentley, Hadden. Subs: Calladine, Osborn, Johnson, Hoggins.

Referee: D Sharpe. Attendance: 330.