MISSING six regulars and again fielding five teenagers in their side, Oxford Cavaliers crashed to a disappointing 64-22 defeat at Crawley which surely ends hopes of a semi-final place in the RL Conference.

An old-fashioned battle saw the Jets deservedly take the points due to Oxford's poor handling and even worse defence, but visiting officials were still left questioning the performance of Cambridgeshire referee Phil Westmorland.

In a match which simmered throughout, Oxford lost six players injured through Crawley's confrontational approach, yet were hammered in a one-sided penalty count.

The game reached its inevitable conclusion when, with ten minutes left, a brawl involving 16 players ended with two Crawley forwards prostrate on the ground, and Cavaliers' stand-out prop John Williams sent off to cap a disappointing end to a dispiriting day.

Oxford trailed 12-0 after as many minutes but then settled down to produce some entertaining rugby.

Slick handling saw full back Kevin Whitley go over, with Peter Barnes goaling, and Oxford continued to claw their way back despite an injury to prop Mark Shaw, who was punched in an off-the-ball incident. Two Barnes penalties brought Oxford to within two points after 25 minutes and they could have gone ahead if Jamie Shore had been able to collect debutant Stephen Crane's superbly-flighted long pass with the line open.

Instead, Crawley hit back and at the interval held a 20-10 lead.

In a cauldron atmosphere, and with Oxford fielding a youthful side which lacked several key experienced players including Tony Smallman, Jez Shires and Kev Peacock, it was clear that the Jets had a firm grip on the points.

The hosts steadily added to their score throughout the second half, but for Oxford there was at least the consolation of two well-orchestrated moves which both ended in tries for stand-off Simon Hill, to which Barnes added the conversions.

Oxford were, however, now down to just 11 men, with Scott Smith in the sinbin for a late tackle and they were unable to maintain their momentum.

Oxford Cavaliers: Whitley, Ferris, Woods, Barnes, Shore, Hill, Crane, Williams, Skordi, Shaw, Griffin, Williams, Crane. Subs: Cusden, Flavin, Lymer, Aljoe, Foster, Smith.

Current Southern Group leaders West London are the visitors next Saturday when Oxford play their final home game of the season.

While the outstanding West side are now uncatchable at the top, Oxford can remember their visit to Staines.

Cavaliers led from start to finish with only a last minute Louis Ratapu try stealing the points for Wests. With that undeserved defeat still rankling, Oxford will be up for the victory in what is definitely the match of the round.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.