HEAD coach Tim Rumford cut a disappointed figure as Oxford RL exited the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup at the hands of Lock Lane at Maidenhead.

The Blues went down 37-22 in the third round encounter and now move focus to their Kingstone Press League 1 opener against Newcastle Thunder on Sunday.

Rumford said: “We gave away too many penalties on the last tackle, which made life hard for ourselves.”

Lock Lane opened the scoring through Royce Geoffrey’s try, converted by Danny Rowse.

But Oxford levelled at 6-6 on four minutes when Nathan Kitson drifted through and Jorge Richardson added the extras.

Callum Butler restored the visitors’ lead with a try converted by Rowse, but it was soon 12-12 when Andrew Hoggins crossed.

Richardson kicked the two points.

Lock Lane raced into a 25-12 lead at half-time with Adam Garlick and Nathan Fozzard touching down.

Rowse converted both and kicked a drop goal.

It was soon 31-12 when Nicky Saxton went over and Rowse continued his good kicking form.

Blues responded with Aaron Dobek going over and Richardson adding the extras.

But Garlick scored his second, Rowse converting, before Josh Nathaniel crossed for a consolation try.