Oxford Harlequins 17, Hertford 33

Oxford Harlequins' super run in the Powergen Intermediate Cup came to an end when they were simply beaten by the better side at Horspath Road.

Hertford, the unbeaten leaders of London Division 2 North, scored three tries late in the first half to take charge of Saturday's sixth round tie, and so reached the quarter-finals for the second successive season.

Quins, hit by injuries to both props and a late sending-off, never gave up and thoroughly deserved their late try.

In a match dominated by a strong wind, Quins were never outclassed, but Hertford had the outstanding player in No 8 Chris Rainbow and a sharper cutting edge in the backs.

Playing with the wind at their backs, Quins more than held their own for the first half-hour, but never looked like scoring a try against a disciplined defence.

Coach Matt Maudsley missed one simple penalty, but landed another as the home side led 3-0.

But then Hertford cut loose, twice exposing the Quins defence, which doesn't normally come in for such a stiff examination.

Winger Richard Justice sliced through four tackles to race over for a try from 40 metres, and then two minutes later, was on hand to score in the corner following a devastating break by Rainbow.

Neil Barella converted the first and Hertford led 12-3.

Three rapid penalties from Maudsley, two from the halfway line, levelled the scores at 12-12.

But in injury time, quick possession and slick passing put winger Barella over in the left corner.

The match was as good as over, with Quins having to play into the wind, and their pack creaking following the absence of Jon Silversides with a shoulder injury.

Barella extended the lead to 20-12 with a penalty from half-way and then Hertford really turned the screw, by pinning the home side on their line for a good ten minutes.

Quins resisted bravely, despite the loss of Nigel Hill - sent to the sinbin for lying offside at a ruck - before Hertford scrum half Oliver Giddings eventually touched down from a pushover try, which Barella converted.

When Quins lock Rob Dow, foolishly intervening at a 'handbag' duel that had nothing to do with him, was rather harshly sent off, it looked as though they might fold.

But in the last 20 minutes, Hertford managed just another Barella penalty and a cheeky drop goal by Rainbow.

Quins, prompted by some sniping runs from scrum half Anthony Cope, kept playing until the end and were rewarded when right wing Steve Chadbone touched down following a tap penalty.

So, Quins are out, but the lessons learned during this epic cup run, will surely serve them well in their future at a higher level.

Oxford Harlequins: Dobson (Penney HT), Steve Chadbone, Hill, Swadling, Recchia, Maudsley, A Cope, DeLange (Stevenson 62), Lawfull, Silversides (Simon Chadbone 23), Price, Dow, Anderson (Maloney 29), J Cope, Nye.

Hertford: Lewis, Justice, Waldron, Smith, Barella, Dwyer, Giddings, Carter (capt), Harris, Hardwick, Robinson, Key, Church, Hesketh, Rainbow.

Referee: G Copsey (Oxon).