Oxford Bulls overpowered local rivals Swindon Nationwide Knights 10-5 with an excellent team display at Oxpens Road.

The Bulls showed their intentions early on by romping into a 4-0 lead after only ten minutes through Canadian Phil Sauv (2), Eldar Tulebayev and Mark Copping.

They then lost concentration as they sensed another big victory and the Knights took advantage to strike twice through James Wood, who netted late in the first period.

After some words of wisdom from bench coach Jason Lester, Oxford came out firing and Ed McKenzie scored his first goal for the club within a minute of the re-start.

Wood completed his hat-trick with a mazy run through the Oxford defence to pull one back, but Marlon Williams made amends for an earlier miss by scoring an unassisted goal to give the Bulls a three-goal cushion.

Neil Edmunds reduced the deficit again, but this prompted Oxford to hit back and kill off the game. Debutant Colin Mortimer scored from close in and American winger Thomas Penn added another in his last game before returning to the States due to work commitments.

Wood scored his fourth and Swindon's fifth, but in the final period goals from Kevin Biggs and player-manager Dave Wallington sealed the Bulls victory.

Oxford are at home to Swindon Panthers this Sunday at 7pm. to allow both teams to recover form the excitement of the earlier FA Cup match bettween Oxford United and Swindon Town.

Oxford Scoring (Goal + Assist): Phil Sauv 2+2, Kevin Biggs 1+1, Mark Boardman 0+2, James Schall 0+2, Dave Wallington 1+0, Mark Copping 1+0, Colin Mortimer 1+0, Thomas Penn 1+0, Eldar Tulebayev 1+0, Ed McKenzie 1+0, Marlon Williams 1+0, Amy Hadden 0+1, Julian McDonald 0+1, Russel Williamson 0+1.

Swindon Nationwide Scoring: James Wood 4+0, Neil Parkin 0+2, Dave Littlewood 0+2, Neil Edwards 1+0, Jarno Kosinen 0+1, Guy Sutherland 0+1.

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Article written by Laurent Hall.

Many Thanks.

James.