After years of decline, Oxford appear, at last, to be reversing the trend, as indicated by their narrow 11-5 victory over Littlemore at the Southern Bypass Ground on Saturday.

Some would argue that Oxford did not have much further to fall, but under the guidance of coaches Stuart Hamilton and Steve Kemp, the club have a platform for recovery and a genuine chance of promotion.

Clearing his lines: Oxford's Simon Bagnall in action against Littlemore

Twelve months ago, this was the sort of game Oxford might have lost against a Littlemore side buoyed by the previous week's cup success over Chipping Norton.

What's more, the miserably damp conditions suited Littlemore's forward-orientated game down to the ground.

But Oxford, thanks to a well-organised defence, resisted strong pressure on their line to hold on helped by Littlemore's attacking limitations.

Starting downwind, Oxford soon raced into an 8-0 lead through Roy Telling's penalty and an opportunist try by scrum half Simon Bagnall, who spotted a big hole in Littlemore's defence and sprinted home from 40 metres.

The Oxford pack, with flanker Dave Ralson switched to the front row at the last minute, creaked badly in the set scrums, but some superb pick-ups under pressure by their No 8, Gavin Allinson, limited the damage.

However, the lively Oxford back row, could not prevent Littlemore lock Darren Springer powering over for a close-range try from a short penalty.

Telling's second penalty just before half-time put Oxford 11-5 ahead, but Littlemore must have fancied their chances, with the elements behind them in the second half.

In the worsening conditions, the game became a stalemate, with Oxford unable to play their passing game and Littlemore, with their most incisive forward Russell Hixon switched to full back, lacking the guile and pace to breach a tight defence.

Oxford:Wild, A Viner, Davies, Obolensky (Hickey 63), Telling, Engwell (capt), Bagnall, Ralson, Harrison, Doyle, Coling, M Viner, MacDonald, Wright, Allinson.

Littlemore: Holland (Smith 13), Lowe, Massey, Keown, Coleman, East (Shipley 67), Williams, Walter, Norton, Wright, Springer, Lockwood, Hixon, Goodenough (capt), Rudman.

Referee: C Friend (Oxon).