Oxford University 24, Bath 29

By MICHAEL KNOX OXFORD University's rugby team suffered their first defeat of the season against a highly committed Bath side at Iffley Road last night - but still had plenty to be happy about.

Bath, fielding two internationals in the strongest opposition to face the Dark Blues this term, had to come from behind to secure a narrow victory.

In the end, their powerful scrum, which included England hooker Andy Long, proved to be the difference.

Oxford, who took the opportunity to play some of their second-choice squad players, emerged with great credit, none more so that lock forward Simon Miall, who had a storming game before departing with a shoulder injury.

Bath struck after three minutes with a try by left-winger Nathan Millett. Fly half Dylan Pugh converted.

Oxford's response was immediate. Fly-half Seb Fitz-Gerald made a half-break which right wing James Platt finished with aplomb. Scrum half Toby Beer added the conversion but missed two easy penalties before Oxford went ahead.

A superb driving maul by the forwards took play into the Bath 25 before Oxford broke away and Miall scored a try which Beer converted.

Fitz-Gerald had to leave the field after having a finger poked in an eye, but his replacement Stuart Woolford acquitted himself well.

Bath's forwards began to get the upper hand, leading to tries from scrum half Ricky Pellow and full back Tom Voyce. Pugh converted the first to give the club side a 19-14 interval lead.

Just after the break, Platt scored his second try, converted by Beer, and when he then added a penalty, Oxford had visions of retaining their 100 per cent record.

But Bath, watched by coach Andy Robinson, sealed it with a try by replacement scrum half Harley Crane, plus a conversion and penalty from Pugh.

Oxford Univ: P Graham, J Platt, S Adlen, J Kinniburgh, S Danielli, S Fitz-Gerald (S Woolford 29), T Beer, H Jefferies, M Parker, T Ellis (A Collins 55), A Russell, S Miall (P Nicholas 70), L Sherriff, E Hallett, N Celliers (capt).

Bath: T Voyce, N Simpson, M Johnson, T Adebayo (A Morris 50), N MIllett, D Pugh, R Pellow (H Crane 40), M Filipo (D Seal 70), A Long (L Mears), J Mallett, O Hodge, D Jones, R Earnshaw (T Barlow 12), R Bryan (capt), B Sturnham.

Story date: Thursday 14 October

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