The 11th-hour decision of NEC Harlequins to call off last night's match at Iffley Road has left Oxford University officials dumfounded, writes Michael Knox.

The famous London club contacted the Dark Blues' director of coaching Steve Hill at 9.20 on Monday night, saying that they could field only eight or nine players and would have to scratch the game.

"I find it almost unbelievable that Harlequins were unable to raise a side," said Hill, who even offered to lend some players to help make up the numbers.

"I know they have 30 full-time players, and with an under 21 squad and an academy Under 19 side, they must have a playing staff of at least 60. That's an under-estimate.

"For us not to have a fixture is a disaster. We had a match sponsor, we printed the programmes and we lost an opportunity to advertise next week's Stanley's match.

"More important than that, with the University match coming in five weeks' time, the players need some games under their belts."

Hill said that the University would be considering whether to seek compensation from Quins for the costs incurred. "If only they'd given us more time, we could have arranged an alternative fixture," said Hill, who was on the phone almost to midnight on Monday trying to fix up another game, without success.

Now Hill's task is to try to get a game for this Saturday, otherwise the Blues will go into next Wednesday's Stanley's match not having played for a fortnight.

Henley were free on Saturday but had fixed up a friendly with Exeter before learning of Oxford's predicament.

Despite the events of the past 48 hours, Hill is still keen for Oxford to re-establish a match against the Quins whom they had not met for many years.

"There's a great history between these two clubs and I'm keen to foster relationship between them if possible," he said.