KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP ONE

OXFORD RL suffered their fifth successive defeat with a 36-20 reverse at University of Gloucestershire All Golds.

Jack Briggs demonstrated his increasing influence in the Oxford side with two tries, but All Golds were well worth their win.

Oxford lie second-from-bottom, but there is no relegation this season, so returning to winning ways is simply important to morale rather than their status in English rugby league’s third tier.

The hosts opened the scoring on nine minutes when Ben White’s break was finished by Craig Cook, with Matt Bradley kicking the first of six conversions.

All Golds were dominating possession and field position and it took Oxford 20 minutes to mount an attacking raid in the home half.

By then they were 12-0 down, Bradley dummying through after Sam Te’o had instigated a searing break down the right.

The third try came just after 23 minutes, Cook rolling the ball backwards for Brendan Smith to pick up and dot down.

Oxford had the better of the final minutes of the half and Alex Thompson forced his way over for their opening try.

The visitors raised their game after the break, with Briggs finishing Sean Morris’s break for his first try.

Andrew Hoggins then touched down after Michael Crabtree was first to Thompson’s neat chip over the line.

Tommy Connick converted only one of these, so All Golds led 18-14.

But three tries in a devastating ten-minute spell sealed the spoils for the hosts Miles Fairbank stepped through the defence following Bradley’spass for the first score.

Seven minutes later, Fairbank somehow got an off-load away almost on the line and Frank Foster dived over for his first professional try.

The third was a classic counter attack, with Cook feeding Phil Cowburn whose inside pass sent Jarrod Ward away and Thomas loomed up in support to finish.

Oxford needed two tries for a losing bonus point, but managed one when Briggs touched down Jimmy Rowlands’ looped pass and the latter converted.

OXFORD Cavaliers stayed third in Conference League South, despite not playing this weekend.

The division’s only fixture saw Valley Cougars defeat Bristol Sonics 50-14.

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