OXFORD RL frittered away a 14-point advantage to lose 32-26 away to Hemel Stags in their first Kingston Press League 1 Shield clash.

After a slow start, the visitors hit back to lead 16-12 at half-time thanks to tries from Adam Dent, Jordan Gill and Scott Fleming, with Harvey Burnett adding two conversions.

Things looked promising for Oxford, when Nathan Kitson – in his first game back at the club – and Stu Biscomb went over for tries, one of which Burnett converted.

But with a 26-12 lead, the visitors fell away badly, allowing Stags to score three more tries and snatch a dramatic victory.