County Championship Shield
OXFORDSHIRE were hammered 67-12 by defending champions Surrey in their Pool 3 opener at Guildford RFC.
Surrey proved too strong for an inexperienced Oxon side, scoring ten tries.
Wing George Owen (2), full back Matthew Betty and centre Sean Cunningham scored first-half tries for Surrey, with fly Neil Hallett kicking three conversions and two penalties.
Oxon had lock Will Clayton sin-binned, but managed a try from another Oxford Harlequins man, fly half Will Hilton, before the break.
The visitors’ other second row Richard Haire (Witney) was yellow-carded before No 8 Sam McKinney went over for Surrey, Hallett converting.
Flanker Scott Moore (2), centre Neil Brown and replacement Alex Seers completed Surrey’s try tally, Hallett converting one and Seers three.
Oxon centre Matt Clarke (Witney) bagged an interception try, converted by Hilton.
Surrey lock Andy Evans was sin-binned late on.
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