OXFORD RL returned to form with a fine showing to beat a resilient South Wales Scorpions 40-26 in Kingstone Press League 1.

South Wales recovered from 16-0 down early on and threatened an unlikely comeback at Parc Dyffryn Pennar after the visitors made a fast start.

Blues were out of the blocks quickly and Aaron Jones-Bishop released Andy Matthews to go over. Nathan Kitson missed the conversion.

Minutes later Scorpions gave away two penalties and Oxford took advantage, Steve Scott forcing his way over. Kitson’s kick made it 10-0.

Blues scored a third on 17 minutes when Kitson found space to run under the sticks, and he converted his own try.

However, Scorpions hit back through Paul Edwards, with Paul Emanuelli landing the goal. Then Connor Farrer went over two tackles later. Emanuelli’s kick was wide.

Remarkably, Scorpions were first over the line in the second half and levelled it up at 16-16, with Ian Newbury going over in the corner and Emanuelli converting.

But Oxford regained the lead with Josh Scott scoring a try and Kitson converting.

It remained topsy-turvy as Tala Petelo scored under the sticks, and Emanuelli converted, to leave it 22-all.

Blues began to pull away. Craig Cook forced his way over, Kitson converting, and a pinpoint Emanuelli kick found Zak Williams who outjumped his opposite man to ground in the corner. Emanuelli’s kick hit the post.

Oxford wrapped it up with late scores from Cook and Aaron Jones-Bishop, Kitson converting them both.