Devon Under 20s 21, Oxfordshire Under 20s 9: For the second successive year, Oxfordshire fell at the semi-final stage of the Tetley's Under 20 Championship when they went down to Devon at Plymouth on Saturday.

In fine conditions, a large and vociferous crowd, saw the visitors kick off with the wind at their backs and take command of the forward exchanges in the opening stages.

However, Devon, looking dangerous on the break, caught Oxon off side in the seventh minute and opened the scoring with a penalty.

Two minutes later, the visitors' fly half, Stuart O'Flanagan, replied with two penalties.

These came either side of the sin-binning of Oxon's wing forward, Ben Millard, for pulling down a maul.

Also, influential second row Brin Walker had to leave the field for treatment to a nasty facial injury.

It was significant that on Walker's return some 14 minutes later, his team regained line-out domination and won a scrum against the head.

Territory and possession remained with Oxon, but the scores were levelled just before half-time with a second Devon penalty.

The home side started the second half with a bang as their their pack produced a converted try.

Oxon reduced the deficit in the 56th minute with another penalty from O'Flanagan.

But the decisive score came ten minutes from the end when Devon's flying winger, Darren Ritchie, raced in for an unconverted try.

The visitors battled back with some scintillating running rugby, but the stronger Devon pack held sway and they concluded the scoring with a further penalty.

A fine Oxon performance was marred in the final minute of the game when full back Tom Wade was sent off for foul play.

Disappointment indeed for the young stars of Oxon rugby, but to reach the last four of a national competition in successive years is an achievement that players and coaches alike can feel rightly proud.

Oxon Under 21: T Wade (Henley), S Allwood (Banbury), H Lamb (Witney), J Lamb (Witney), L Gibson (Oxford), S O'Flanagan (Brookes), S Button (Banbury), R Smith (Banbury), L Bennett (Bicester), A Gilbert (Banbury), B Walker (Gloucester), A Kaye (Henley), B.Millard (Banbury), T Booker (Henley), C Cimpoias (Henley) (capt). Reps: N Graham (Brookes), D Hunter (Henley), C Phillips (Banbury), C Mackinnon (Brookes), C Cocks (Brookes), L Rosier (Henley), H Bevan (Oxford).