OXFORD RL were unable to build upon their first win of the season as they fell to a 48-10 defeat to Coventry Bears at the Butts Park Arena.

The Blues conceded nine tries in the Kingstone Press League 1 encounter to leave them third from bottom.

Coventry wasted no time in opening up a 20-0 lead inside 29 minutes, with Joel James, Jack Morrison, Eddie Medforth and Brad Brennan crossing.

James converted two of the four tries.

Oxford stemmed the tide, with two successive penalties helping them make ground upfield.

Danny Allan then found Aaron Nicholson, who stepped over the line to get the Blues off the mark.

Allan made it 20-6 with the conversion.

Oxford had the bit between their teeth and went close again as the half came to an end, Allan weaving around the defence before Jordan Siddons was held up.

But they were hit by a sucker-punch from the Bears with Medforth finding space and acrobatically touching down as the hooter sounded to make it 26-6 at the break.

Three tries in the first 13 minutes of the second half all but put the game beyond Oxford, with Liam Thompson, Jono Millzewski, and Joe Batchelor crossing.

James converted twice to stretch the lead to 42-6.

Allan did restore pride, showing power and poise to go over.

But the hosts had the last say as Chris Barrett twisted away from the Blues defence to cross.

Meanwhile, Oxford’s Jack Smith and Siddons have been charged for punching during last week’s win over Hemel Stags.