OXFORDSHIRE'S hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Tetley's Bitter County Championship disappeared at Banbury.

Having gone down bravely in Cornwall in their opening South League 2 game the previous week, Oxfordshire went into Saturday with high hopes.

But, despite dominating for long periods, they did not quite have the power up front or the invention out wide to turn possession into points.

They will now be hoping that they can avoid the wooden spoon when they face Berkshire, who have also lost twice, at Reading on April 24.

In the second minute, Banbury's Lee Illott, standing in for the unavailable Ashley Tapper at fly half, broke away. But he was dragged down on halfway - and the visitors hit back through winger Henry Goodburn, who chipped ahead to score.

Hooker Gordon Denslow added the extra points to make it 7-0, but an Illott penalty reduced the arrears on 22 minutes.

Oxon, who were already missing Banbury flanker Rob Callaway through injury, were dealt another big blow when his clubmate, No 8 Rob Cockerton, went off with damaged ribs.

The home side were far more impressive after the interval and when Sussex strayed offside, Illott landed the penalty from in front of the posts.

It was looking good for Oxfordshire as they camped in the opposition half. But on 61 minutes, Sussex's replacement scrum half Simon Bradford set up Goodburn for a carbon copy of his first try.

Denslow converted and then stretched the visitors' advantage with a penalty nine minutes from time.

The introduction of Banbury prop Lee Perkins breathed life into Oxfordshire. He had not long been on the pitch when he crashed over with three minutes left.

Illott converted to make it 17-13 but Sussex made the game safe deep into injury time when prop Russ Sheppard scored from close range and Denslow converted.

Oxon: Browne, Townsend, Noyce (all Henley), Botten (Banbury), Knight (Henley), Illott (Banbury), S Cassidy (Bicester), Bothwell (Oxford Univ), McNeile (Reading) (rep D Cassidy (Henley) 40), Matthews (Chinnor) (rep Perkins (Banbury) 73), Ansell (Banbury) (rep Millburn (Chinnor) 73), Chatterton (Banbury), Hennessy (Newbury), Walker (Henley), Cockerton (Banbury) (rep Holder (Henley) 31). Rep not used: Williams (Banbury).

Referee: A McKay (RFU).

Story date: Wednesday 14 April

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