Oxford 5, Wootton Bassett 31

Oxford can count themselves unfortunate to have lost this Southern Counties North clash by such a margin.

Wootton Bassett showed why they are challenging for promotion with a strong finish, but for large parts, they were well matched by the home side.

Oxford, who gave a debut to centre Andy Clarke, are still in the relegation mire, but will have given themselves heart for the battle to come.

With the wet and muddy conditions, this was never going to be vintage fair, but both sides got stuck in, sometimes literally.

The opening ten minutes saw plenty of endeavour and a sprightly run from Oxford wing Phil Longuet-Higgins.

Then, Oxford scrum half charged down a clearance from Bassett fly half Dave Hogg and they took full advantage with No 8 Josh Grant going over in the right corner.

Grant was soon in action at the other, claiming a vital interception as the visitors went very close.

Bassett’s pressure paid off on 18 minutes, when lock Ian Mason drove over from close range.

Longuet-Higgins again threatened, while full back Dom Coe missed two very kickable penalties.

Oxford continued to hold their own up front where lock Mark Viner shone.

The hosts lost skipper Nick Graham to the sin-bin just before half-time, but had restricted Bassett to little more than a counter-attack from wing Andy Phoenix.

Bassett raised their game in the second half and centre Dan McCarthy finished well on the left.

The visitors gained momentum with the addition of replacement Chris Patterson to their back row, and McCarthy cut inside well to notch his second try, converted by Hogg, on 54 minutes.

Oxford didn’t help themselves as Coe missed touch with a penalty, but had a sniff when lock Dave Floyd was yellow-carded after 62 minutes.

Before they could take advantage, Oxford replacement Sam Moreton joined Floyd in the sin-bin despite protesting he could not roll away from the tackle.

Bassett went 24-5 up on 71 minutes when No 8 Tim Gallimore finished off a pushover try and Hogg converted.

With a bonus point in the bag, Bassett’s superior fitness was telling and Phoenix dived over for try No 5, Hogg converting.

Referee Simon Blake played plenty of stoppage time, but Oxford didn’t add to a tally that had not reflected their efforts.

Oxford: Coe, Longuet-Higgins (McLennan 39), Clarke, Jewell (Smith 41), Cosford, Gustafson, Cousins, Graham (capt), MacDonald, Walter, Viner, Day, Thompson, Arthur, Grant (Moreton 65).

Referee: S Blake (Oxfordshire).

Oxford man-of-the-match: Viner.