Kingstone Press Championship One

OXFORD RL were edged out 40-34 in a pulsating clash with London Skolars at New River Stadium.

The visitors came off worse in a match that featured 13 tries and saw Oxford’s Brett Robinson and Skolars’ James Anthony sent off after a mass brawl.

Oxford’s losing bonus point saw them remain in third place, but they will feel this was a chance missed after leading 18-6 at half-time and having two tries disallowed.

Sean Morris put the visitors ahead with an interception try, converted by Jonny Leather.

Lucas Onyango read Brett Robinson’s kick to the corner and collected the bouncing ball to score under the posts.

Leather’s conversion made it 12-0 on 20 minutes.

A try from Mike Worrincy, converted by Dylan Skee, got London on the scoreboard. But Oxford hit straight back with Morris off-loading for Shaun Robinson to score the first of a try double, Leather converting.

Shaun Robinson was denied another try just before the break when he was adjudged to have put a foot in touch.

Skolars burst out of the blocks in the second half, scoring five tries in the opening 20 minutes.

Ade Adebisi and Joe Price touched down first, Skee converting the latter, before both sides were reduced to 12 men.

Rob Thomas, who finished with a hat-trick of tries, added a quickfire brace, both converted by Skee to make it 28-18.

Alex Hurst’s try left Oxford trailing by 14 points with 20 minutes to go.

But Leather’s length-of-the-field effort, which he converted himself, gave the visitors hope.

Morris beat two defenders before setting up John Clough for Oxford’s fifth try, Leather again converting.

The visitors had a stunning Tommy Connick try ruled out for a forward pass and Skolars took full advantage.

Thomas went over for his treble with ten minutes to go, Skee converting.

Shaun Robinson ran in a sixth try for Oxford, but it was not enough and Skee kicked a penalty to seal Skolars’ victory.