Oxford University were far from convincing despite winning their traditional fixture against major Stanley's XV at Iffley Road, writes Ed Mezzetti.

There were some strong displays from No 8 Derek Asbun and full back Jon Hudson in the 27-12 triumph, but too often the Dark Blues lacked fluency and control.

Their set pieces need some tightening, certainly when Northampton visit on Monday night, while captain John Carter, who sat the match out with a shoulder injury, will have plenty to mull over as he compiles his Twickenham team.

Stanley’s started with Mike Rickner at lock and Gareth Davies at flanker instead of advertised international pair Garath Archer and Sione Vaiomo’unga respectively.

After a harum-scarum opening, fly half Matt Janney kicked Oxford ahead with a fourth-minute penalty.

The Dark Blues lacked intensity and it was no surprise when they conceded the opening try on 11 minutes, Stanley’s wing James Strong finishing a good handling move. Fly half Adam Phillips converted.

This seemed to fire Oxford up and some far better ball retention allowed lock Tom Evans to be driven over from close range.

The students were held up on the right wing, but managed a second try on the half- hour when full back Jon Hudson applied a simple finish on the left, Janney converting for 15-7.

Oxford lost lock and stand-in skipper Karl Outen to a worrying shoulder injury.

Just before the interval, Hudson broke from deep inside his own half and cruised to within five metres of the Stanley’s line before giving a spectacular off-load.

Oxford almost fluffed the opportunity, but Asbun managed to twist over for a 20-7 lead.

The students struggled to regain momentum after the break and needed some desperate defence to keep their opponents out.

Stanley’s second-half replacements included Littlemore lock John Keown, who was a late recruit from the corporate marquee!

Oxford replacements Will Rowlands and Scott Fernquest almost linked up on halfway, but the former’s off-load went forward when the latter had a clear run to the line.

However, Rowlands soon received a pass from Asbun to dive under the posts on 66 minutes, Hudson converting.

Stanley’s created a one- on-one chance for Strong, but Oxford wing Jez Mather stood up well to make the tackle.

The visitors’ persistence was rewarded when replacement prop Will Bigley, of Henley, squeezed over just before the final whistle.

Oxford University: Hudson, J Mather*, Perkins (Fernquest 47), Turner (H Guinness* 41), Cho, Janney (Jones* 53), Egerton (O’Donovan 15-30 [blood] & 67), Grounds (H Macdonald* 59), Oliver* (Wisson 47), Direen, Outen* (capt) (Rowlands 35), Evans*, Law, Morlet, Asbun (Powell 67).

Major Stanley’s XV: Allen, Strong, Hawker, M Davies, Vaikona#, Phillips, Barr*, Kershaw, Ross, Tomouli#, Short, Rickner, G Davies, Sherriff* (capt), Coombes. Reps: Penny, Fuller, McKeand, Bonney, Traynor, Baggett, Depel, Bigley, Keown.

* denotes Blue. # denotes international.

Referee: S McConnell (RFU).

Man-of-the-match: Asbun.