Simon Danielli scored a hat-trick of second-half tries as Oxford fought off a strong challenge from Stanley's XV to record their eighth successive victory of the season at Iffley Road yesterday.

Match action from the Iffley Road clash Until the powerful winger burst on to the scene, an entertaining match was finely balanced, with the guest side, containing 12 internationals, fighting back from a slow start to take the lead at 26-21.

But, with the Dark Blues' back division moving into top gear for the first time this season, Danielli was able to finish in style.

The start was delayed for half-an hour after the distinguished trio of Scottish internationals had been held up in fog.

Unfortunately, British Lion Craig Chalmers had to depart after only 15 minutes following a bang on the head, but Scott Hastings and Derek Stark gave full value to the 1,500 crowd with some slick handling.

The Blues appeared to be cruising 21-5 at half-time thanks to tries from centre Sam Adlen, fly half Seb FitzGerald and full back Nick Marsh, whose pace added spark to the backline.

FitzGerald, who enjoyed another influential game, converted all three, while Stanley's were limited to a close-range try from flanker Luke Jones.

However, Stanley's showed they were not just there to make up the numbers by taking advantage of some slackness in the home side to score three tries in the first 14 minutes of the second half.

Flanker Richie Webster went over from close range, Toki Adebayo intercepted a wayward FitzGerald pass to gallop the length of the field, and Hastings touched down following a super long pass from Barry Muir.

With a portly Gareth Rees converting two and Muir the other, Stanley's were suddenly 26-21 ahead.

To their credit, confident Oxford kept playing a positive game and the result was those three Danielli tries, the second of which came from an interception. FitzGerald converted all three for a 17-point haul.

Stanley's only further points came from a try by Muir, which he converted himself.

This was an excellent victory for the Dark Blues, who must be in good heart, with the Varsity Match now less than a month away.

**Oxford Univ: N Marsh, R Jennings (W Rubie 25-32), W van Pittius, S Adlen (Rubie 57), S Danielli, S FitzGerald, J Weston (capt), H Jeffreys, O Julyan, T Ellis, S Miall, A Russell (C Edwards 57), L Sherriff, J Bolger, J Hendriksz (C Pennington 65).

**Major Stanley's XV: G Rees (Wasps & Canada), D Stark (Boroughmuir & Scotland), S Hastings (Watsonians & Scotland), M Rayer (Cardiff & Wales), T Adebayo (Cross Keys & England U21), C Chalmers (Glasgow Reds & Scotland), S Forster (Leinster & N Zealand), I Buckett (L Welsh & Wales), A Morretti (Worcester & Italy), K Tkacuk (Canada), S Moore (Cardiff & Wales), E Katulau (Llanelli & Fiji), R Webster (Bridgend & Wales), L Jones (L Welsh), S Tova (Rugby & Tonga). Reps: R Muir (Rugby & Otago) for Chalmers (15 mins), I Calder (Worcester & Otago) for Rees (50), A Roberts (Wasps) for Moore (59), C Mather (Worcester & Scotland) for Jones (61), C Hawkins (Bridgend) for Adebayo (67), N Kelly (Army) for Morretti (67), N Marvell (Rosslyn Pk) for Rayer (67).

**Referee: A Spreadbury.