CASEY Canterbury scored his second successive hat-trick as Oxford RL defeated Hemel Stags 40-12 in their Kingstone Press League 1 opener at Tilsley Park, Abingdon on Sunday.

The hooker followed his treble against South Wales Ironmen in the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, with some more deadly finishing as the Blues eased to their third successive win.

Stags scored the first and last tries, but, in between, it was the hosts who ruled the roost.

Canterbury crossed for his first try after six minutes, with Harvey Burnett’s conversion levelling the scores at 6-6 after the visitors’ earky score

Second-row forward William Cooke powered over for an unconverted try to put Oxford ahead for the first time.

Further tries from Canterbury, replacement Callum Bustin and stand-off Callum Windley, plus one conversion from Burnett ,gave the hosts a commanding 24-6 advantage at half-time.

Early in the second half, Oxford had two tries disallowed, before prop Dunane McCrae went over for their sixth try.

Burnett’s conversion put them 30-6 ahead.

Bustin then forced his way over for his second try, before Canterbury completed his-hat-trick with Oxford’s final try, with Burnett adding his fourth conversion.

After Hemel’s second converted try, Oxford had yet another score disallowed.

However, they still recorded a resounding victory.