OXFORD RL ended a run of nine-straight defeats to earn their first win of the season in a bad-tempered clash at home to Hemel Stags.

The 24-18 victory saw Oxford move off the bottom of the Kingstone Press League 1 table on points difference.

Josh Nathaniel danced through to open the scoring at Tilsley Park, with Allan converting to make it 6-0.

On 20 minutes a fight broke out between Oxford’s James Cryer and Hemel’s Elliott Munnelly, but it was the Blues’ Daniel Igbinedion who was sin-binned after getting involved in the scuffle.

Tries from Casey Canterbury and Andrew Hoggins, both converted by Allan, made it 18-0.

But just minutes before the break, another fight broke out, resulting in Oxford’s Jack Smith and Hemel’s Mike Stewart being sent off.

The visitors finally got off the mark when Lloyd James crossed for a converted try.

After the break, Kam Pearce Paul dived over for Stags, BJ Swindells added the extras.

The hosts hit back through Marcus Brooker’s try. Allan converted to make it 24-12.

Once again the game turned ugly when Tuago Egodo was put on report for allegedly striking Oxford’s Aaron Nicholson on 70 minutes.

Aaron Hall sailed past the Oxford defence for a converted try, but it was only a consolation.