JAMES Walter scored a hattrick of touchdowns as Oxford Saints thrashed Swindon Storm 42-13 to book a place in the Southern Conference West Division 2 play-offs.

Grant Tebb (2) and Ryan Kingshott also reached the end zone as Saints avenged a 50-16 defeat away to Storm earlier in the season.

Tebb said: “After our previous encounter with Swindon we felt like we really had a point prove.

“The potential on this team is huge, and we know that when it goes right we are scary opponent to come up against.

“The offence this year has been rolling, we know what we are capable of and the talent at the coaches’ disposal is a wonder, it’s such a good unit to be a part of.”

Tebb and Walter struck in the first quarter, the latter with a 52-yard run, but on both occasions Spencer Duffy’s extra point attempt was blocked.

The visitors hit back immediately with a 66-yard touchdown, scored by Luke McEnroe, who kicked the extra point himself to reduce Oxford’s lead to 12-7 at the first break.

It took time for either side to find a rhythm in the second quarter, where the only score was another effort from Tebb.

Rich Bloomer finished off the two-point conversion, stretching the lead to 20-7 at half-time.

The advantage grew to 19 points in the third quarter, thanks to Walter’s second touchdown.

Kingshott starred in the move which put the game well beyond Swindon.

He carried the ball several times and finished it off, with Bloomer adding another two points to make it 34-7.

A solo effort from Robert Leaper restored some pride for Storm, but Walter had the final say by completing his hat-trick.

Kingshott completed the scoring with another two-point conversion.

The emphatic result ensured Saints can begin preparing for the play-offs.

But before then the regular season concludes this Saturday, away to Cornish Sharks.