Oxfordshire bowed out of the National Under 20 Championship with a 24-22 quarter-final defeat by Kent at Stratfield Brake.

The hosts led 22-10 at the break, but Kent sneaked through thanks to a touchline conversion.

Scrum half Morgan Thompson gave Oxon the lead with a 45-metre penalty on 14 minutes, but the visitors hit back with two tries.

This was against the run of play and when Oxfordshire's pack drove deep into Kent territory, the ball was spun out for full back Henry Swailes to score on the right.

Thompson converted this and a second try when Tom Clipsham burst through the centre to score under the posts.

The half ended with a forward drive which saw Thompson go down the blind side to notch in the corner.

Oxon lost fly half Ben Hewitt at half time through a head injury and Kent edged ahead with two tries and a conversion. Despite some fine attacking rugby by Oxfordshire's backs, this was the final score.

Manager Tim Boycott-Brown said: "This is one of Oxfordshire's better under 20 teams, having retained eight players from last year's semi-finalists.

"The squad are naturally disappointed not to progress any further, but are very appreciative of the support given by Gosford All Blacks throughout the season."

f=Helvetica s=5.6Oxon: Swailes (Oxford), Corpe (Chinnor), Carter (Hartpury), Clipsham (Hartpury), Gray (Banbury), B Hewitt (Chinnor), Thompson (UWIC), Pritchard-Smith (Oxford Brookes), Dixey (Grove), Batting (Chinnor), Blewitt (Chinnor), Allen (capt, UWIC), Hastings (Grove), MacFarlane (Oxford), Bellinger (UWIC). Reps: Hawken (Banbury), Pratt (Banbury), Stratford (Banbury), Nixon (Henley), Williams (Oxford Brookes), Heath (Chinnor), Westaby (Gosford All Blacks).