Oxford Cavaliers overcame biggest rivals Crawley Jets 28-12 in a Rugby League Conference South game full of hard-hitting defence and determined running at Marston Ferry Road on Saturday.

The Jets, fresh from a huge win over Kingston, were brimming with confidence as they took the field, but a couple of early penalties from Simon Hicks, forced them to play catch-up.

Crawley scored the only try of the first half following an up-and-under which saw Thompson go over, but Cavaliers still led 8-6 going into the break. In the second half, Cavaliers maintained their strong defence and began to get on top. A drop goal from Hicks and a dashing solo try from Scargill put them in command and good inter-play from Martoo and Scargill released Caro Wild for his third try of the season.

Oxford, seemingly unaffected by the heat, pressed on with determined running from their forwards. Rushworth, Martoo and Scordi forced the Jets into making endless tiring tackles, sapping their reserves, and opened up the field for the speedy home back division to test the Jets even further.

The visitors hit back with a try from Fitzgibbon, but Cavaliers sealed the victory through a further drop goal by Hicks. Ross, following a missed penalty attempt, then scored the cheekiest try of the day, falling on a fumble behind the Crawley line.