County Championship Shield

OXFORDSHIRE ended their campaign on a real high note by hammering Berkshire 50-10 at Oxford RFC.

The victory, which featured try doubles from Grove’s Guy Nicholl and Witney’s James Monks, took Oxon off the bottom of the Pool 3 table.

Coming after heavy defeats at defending champions Surrey and Dorset & Wilts, head coach Craig Burrows said the eight-try display gave reason for optimism.

“We played with the wind in the first half and blew them away with a quick off-loading game they struggled to live with,” said Burrows.

“We then camped in their half for the first 15 mins of the second half, playing a tight pick-and-drive game as there was now torrential rain.

“We will now look to keep the squad together for next season and build on this fantastic win.”

Oxford led 43-0 after a dominant first-half display, with all their points coming from Grove and Witney players.

Grove wing Guy Nicholl’s try double was supplemented by one from his brother, back-row forward Ben Nicholl.

Captain James Eckert and centre Tom Clipsham also added tries, while scrum half Owen Gustafson kicked five conversions to complete the Grove tally.

Witney full back Monks bagged a try in each half, with clubmate and prop Jamie Burke also on target.

Berkshire collected losing bonus points against Surrey and Dorset & Wilts, but were not as competitive this time.

They did, however, hit back after the break with tries from lock Sam Hallett and full back Joe Grindle.

But Monks’s second score finished off a fine day for Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire: Monks (Clarke 40), L Collins (all Witney), Bellinger, Clipsham, G Nicholl (all Grove), Harris (Bicester), Gustafson (Grove), Burke (Witney), Soppet (Oxford Harlequins), (Monks 60), Boulton (Oxford Harlequins) (Walsh (Grove) 58), Eckert (capt, Grove), Clayton (Oxford Harlequins), Haire (Witney), Wilkinson (Banbury) (Rihan (Witney) 55), B Nicholl (Grove).