OXFORD Saints missed out on the play-offs despite finishing their Southern Conference season with a thrilling 24-22 victory over Ouse Valley Eagles at Abingdon’s Tilsley Park.
Saints completed their Central Division 1 campaign in third place with five wins and five defeats, including two narrow losses to champions Sussex Thunder.
The hosts had to hold on after establishing a 21-3 advantage against their opponents from Bedford.
Saints took a 7-0 lead when Tony Glover charged up the middle for a touchdown that Sam Fielden converted.
Mike Turner kicked a field goal for the Eagles, but Oxford replied almost immediately with a touchdown from Sam Armstrong, Fielden’s kick giving them a 14-3 lead at half-time.
The hosts seemed set for a commanding victory when Glover escaped up the sideline and outpaced the defenders for a 54-yard touchdown run. Fielden made it 21-3.
Eagles changed their offence and Kase Chibwe raced in for two touchdowns, neither of which was converted.
Then quarterback Nick Tilbury threw a pass to Akintunde Adewale over the middle for a 24-yard touchdown.
This time Turner kicked the extra point and Eagles took a 22-21 lead.
With time running out, Saints head coach Andrew Day called for a field goal and Fielden kicked the ball straight through the uprights from 34 yards to snatch a dramatic lead.
Stern defence, with George Wright and Martin Fitzpatrick to the fore, enabled the hosts to hang on.
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