Devon 53, Oxfordshire 17: Oxfordshire matched neither Devon's higher league experience, nor their superior power, as they were well beaten in their Tetley's County Championship match at Plymouth on Saturday.

On a fine day in front of a meagre crowd, Devon ran in eight tries to their opponents' two.

However, Oxon actually took the lead in the fourth minute with a try by winger James Hewitt, converted by fly half James Cathcart.

Ed Lewsey and Tom Barlow replied with a penalty and unconverted try, before Cathcart regained the lead with another penalty in the 26th minute.

Then the Devon pack assumed the ascendancy. Two converted tries followed for their No 8 Alan Miller.

Oxon's cause not helped in the closing stages with the departure of captain Darren Oxley with a leg injury and the sin-binning of full back Charlie Oyabade for a professional foul.

In his absence and in injury time, Devon scored another converted try to make it 29-10 at half time.

Despite Oxon coach John Brodley deploying all his replacements, the second half was totally dominated by the impressive Devon pack.

Four tries and two conversions followed.

All credit to the Oxon side. Gallant to the end, they produced a consolation try in injury time by second row Craig Burrows, converted by Cathcart.

In the other group game, Cornwall beat Hertfordshire by 38-17 .

The defeat means that Oxon travel to face Hertfordshire at Old Albanians RFC next Saturday, knowing that defeat will mean an immediate relegation and return to the County Shield competition.

Oxfordshire (Chinnor unless unless stated): C Oyabade, J Hewitt, S McIvor, D Oxley (capt), L Westerman, J Cathcart, W Deeley, S Matthews, T Nicholas (Henley), J Winpenny, M Hutchins, C Burrows (Rhymney), A Du Toit Serdyn, D Seymour, T Johnson. Reps: T Whelan; J Forster; J. Wilcox-Jones (London Welsh), T Wood, D Burns (Reading).