Newbury Stags 72, Oxford 10

OXFORD were overrun by their committed hosts in a Southern Counties North clash that saw them concede 1000 points for the season.

The heavy defeat keeps Oxford just two points above the drop zone, but in most seasons their paltry tally would have seen them already relegated.

Although the visitors had a lot of possession, they were regularly exposed by Stags’ greater incision and pace.

Oxford, who could only field one replacement, were not necessarily that poor as individuals, but they lacked cohesion as a unit.

Many of Newbury’s 12 tries came on the break, exemplified when flanker Sam Vine finished a swift counter attack for their first on five minutes, wing Will Spencer converting.

Stand-in fly half Alex Henk, more usually a hooker or No 8, showed promise with his ball carrying for Oxford.

But the visitors already had a resigned air about them when wing Steve Denner sprinted in on the left.

Oxford full back Dom Coe slotted a penalty via a post to make it 12-3, but then had the misfortune to kick the ball dead from inside his own 22.

Stags’ inside centre Nick Spencer, a former Oxford Harlequins player, raced in for the first of a try treble on 23 minutes and added his second on the half hour, Will Spencer converting.

More slick hands sent outside centre Phil Simmons over for try No 5, Will Spencer converting.

Burly prop Max Ellison barged his way over for 36-3 at half-time.

Oxford needed a steady start to the second half, but Coe handed Nick Spencer his hat-trick try when his attempted fly-hack clearance fell to the centre’s feet five metres out.

Will Spencer converted this and set up Vine’s second score with a surging run.

Newbury’s ninth try was another kamikaze effort as Henk’s sliced clearance evaded Oxford replacement Sam Morton and gave Denner an easy run in for Will Spencer to convert.

On 61 minutes, Vine broke through far too easily for his hat-trick, while it wasn’t long before Simmons eased in for his second, fly half Dave Jones converting both.

Oxford then put together some decent pressure and were rewarded when No 8 Aaron Day dived over following prop Liam Owen’s improvised grubber kick.

There was still time for Stags lock Ashley Taylor to power over for try No 12.

Oxford: Coe, McLennan (Morton 43), Da Silva, Clarke, Jewell, Henk, Thompson, Walter, Khan, Owen, Viner, Tyler, MacDonald (capt), Croci, Day.

Referee: S Hardwidge (Berkshire).

Oxford man-of-the-match: Henk.