Kent 78, Oxfordshire 24

Oxfordshire, fielding a young and largely inexperienced team - no fewer than 16 of the squad of 22 were representing the county for the first time - proved no match for Kent in the Tetleys Bitter County Championship match at Westcombe Park on Saturday.

But Oxon, who forfeited the previous week's match against Gloucestershire, at least got out a team this time and the players will have benefited from the experience.

The game was played at a pace that few of the Oxfordshire side had experienced before and, hard though they tried, they were unable to win or retain enough possession (except for a period in the second half) to contain their opponents who recycled the ball at pace. Kent scored first in the third minute, but Oxfordshire fought back to score a fine try, with the ball passing through six pairs of hands for centre Matt Hart to score close to the posts. Adam Smith converted.

A further Kent converted try followed, but another strong Oxfordshire attack saw them awarded a penalty kicked by Adam Smith. So Kent led only 14-10 after 20 minutes.

From then until half-time it was all Kent with Oxfordshire struggling to contain their lively opponents.

Ali Mortimore and Willie Brooks did their utmost to stem the tide, but Kent scored a further five tries before the break, when the score was an ominous 45-10.

A further two converted Kent tries on the resumption left the score at 59-10 and it appeared that an avalanche of points was about to happen. But suddenly, Oxfordshire found an extra gear.

A fine break by Anthony Cope down the right hand side of the field found James Wilcox-Jones, who scored wide out, Simon Trower converting.

Then a neat break by Trower put Ali James in space to score under the posts and Trower made no mistake with the conversion. 59-24 after 68 minutes.

The final stages were dominated by Kent who scored three more tries.

All credit to Oxfordshire for sticking to their task and not letting their heads drop.

Mortimore was outstanding throughout and among the newcomers Cope, Matt McNally and Simon Chadbone stepped up a class.

Oxon round off their campaign against Surrey at Henley this Saturday.

Oxfordshire: A Cawston (Chinnor), D Knight (Henley), M Hart (London Welsh), A James (Grove), M Nutt (C Norton), A Smith (C Norton), L Smye (Henley), H Hattingh, Simon Chadbone (Ox H'quins), T Wilkinson (Chinnor), M McNally (Banbury), S Chatterton (Banbury), Brooks (Banbury), J Wilcox-Jones (Bath), A Mortimore (capt) (Henley).

Reps: S Trower (Henley) for Smith (40), S Matthews (Chinnor) for Hattingh (40), P Kelly (Chinnor) for Brooks (65), A Cope (Ox Harlequins) for Smye (40), A Burbage (Banbury) for Chatterton (72), M Ewins (Bicester) for Wilkinson (40).

OXFORDSHIRE V KENT at Orpington Saturday 11th May 2002.

Result: Kent 78 points - Oxfordshire 24 points.

Kent Tries: (12) Simon Harris - R.Wing (Westcombe Park)(3), Stephen Corlett - Left Wing (Old Colfeians) (2), Nick Oldham - Fly Half (Westcombe Park), Ben Thomas - Prop (Westcombe Park), Tim Tunnicliffe - Full Back (Old Colfeians), Rob Berry - Scrum Half (Old Colfeians), Ken Aseme - Lock (Canterbury), Geoff Park - Flanker (Thanet Wanderers) and Ian Lewis - Lock (Westcombe Park).

Convertions: Nick Oldham - (Westcombe Park)(9)

Oxon Tries: (3) Matt Hart - Centre (L.Welsh), Ali James - Centre (Grove) and James Wilcox-Jones - Flanker (Bath).

Convertions: Adam Smith (C.Norton) (1), Simon Trower (Henley) (2)

Penalty: Adam Smith (C.Norton).