Charlie Marr’s boot earned Oxford University a 26-12 victory over Crawshay’s Welsh XV at Iffley Road on Wednesday night.

The fly half’s four penalties proved the difference in a patchy game.

The Dark Blues, who were captained by hooker James Wisson, shone at times, but frequently saw their scrum come under pressure.

Crawshay’s enjoyed a period of real ascendancy in which scrum half Rhodri Usher was held up, before centre Gary Williams drove over on ten minutes, fly half Chris Anderson adding the conversion.

The Students had threatened through No 8 Louis Mather on 19 minutes and levelled soon afterwards.

Flanker Julian Morlet somehow caught a clearance kick in his midriff as he attempted to charge it down – and then ran in unchallenged for Marr to convert.

Marr added a penalties on 27 and 36 minutes, the latter coming after a super run and pass from full back James Crozier.

Crozier got on the scoresheet himself just before the break, finishing a sweeping move. Marr converted expertly for 20-7.

Marr should have slotted a third penalty on 56 minutes, brought within easy range after some Crawshay’s dissent, but he struck a post.

However, he made amends with a three-pointer soon afterwards.

Crawshay’s replacement flanker Luke Dyckoff was sin-binned on 65 minutes and Marr kicked the resulting penalty.

But this seemed to inspire the visitors, who put together their best move of the match, with full back Gary Wilkes finishing on the left.

However, neither side were able to produce a rousing finale.

Oxford University: Crozier*, Williams (Beer 41), Fernquest, H Guinness*, Jones* (Dargan 60), Marr*, Harris (O’Halloran 41), H Macdonald* (Oliver* 58), Wisson (capt), Kane* (Swift 72), Greeff (Evans* 52), Durward, D MacDonald, Morlet (Lane 66), L Mather*.

* denotes Blue.

Referee: M Cooper (RFU).

* University centre Alex Cheesman has been named in the 22-man England Students squad to face their French counterparts at Richmond Athletic.