Oxford University 40, New Zealand Under 21s 17: Ben Durham became a one-boot wonder as Oxford broke their duck on home soil with a convincing victory over New Zealand Under 21s at Iffley Road last night.

Oxford's Charlie Edwards wins a line-out ball against New Zealand Under 21sThe young flanker both started and finished off the move for the Dark Blues' first try after losing his right boot.

He seemed unaffected by his loss during a strong run into the tourists' 22, and was then on hand to dive over the line.

That put the Dark Blues 17-12 ahead early in the second half, and they dominated the rest of the match to record a welcome first win since their successful pre-season tour of Japan.

After an uncertain first half, Oxford's greater physical strength and teamwork won the day against a young side, who nevertheless got in some big hits.

Nick Williams, a giant 19-year-old No 8, looks a name to watch, but the All Blacks side were not quite as strong as Oxford had expected.

After the start had been delayed to accommodate a near 2000-strong crowd, who witnessed the traditional Haka in respectful silence, Oxford started tentatively and trailed 12-9 at half-time.

The tourists were gifted two tries. Oxford dropped simple line-out ball to allow prop John Afoa a soft try.

Then winger Glen Martin fielded a wayward kick from home fly half Matt Honeyben and eluded some feeble tackling to score following a mazy 50-metre run.

Luckily for the hosts, place-kicker Daniel Moore, who landed one conversion, missed three simple kicks, including one in front of the posts. Honeyben showed great accuracy, landing three first-half penalties.

He added another in the second half before Durham's try, as driving runs by prop Kevin Tkachuk and hooker Dave Griffiths took the wind out of the All Blacks' sails.

Oxford suffered a blow when Stuart Douglas, who had showed up well after being switched to the wing, departed with a hamstring injury, but the reliable Honeyben popped over three more penalties to take them out of reach.

Lock Adam Russell powered over from 15 metres for a try before Under 21's centre RhyanCaine scored a breakaway try.

Fittingly, Oxford's final try came from their New Zealand captain Fraser Gemmell, whose cousin, Arran, had been unable to play for the opposition because of injury.

Honeyben added the last two conversions for an impressive personal tally of 25 points.

Oxford Univ: T Barlow, W Rubie, S Douglas (G Barr 59), J Allen, W Ellerby (J Thompson 46), M Honeyben, D Taberner, K Tkachuk, D Griffiths, H Nwume, A Russell, C Edwards, F Gemmell (capt), B Durham (N Woods 73), D Lubans.

New Zealand Under 21s: D Moore (J Campbell 61), G Martin, J Ward, R Caine, L Mafi, M Ryan, J Heta, B Murray (S Connelly 78), F Pienaar (B Wilkins 70), J Aofa, H Hazlitt, A Davis, A Lambert (D England 66), C Stephens (Whittington 40), N Williams.

Referee: G Copsey (RFU & Oxon).