Oxford University 27, Bath 53

By MICHAEL KNOX THEY may have conceded more than 50 points, but Oxford RFC emerged with great credit from their entertaining match against Bath at Iffley Road last night.

There were seven internationals in Bath's second-string line-up - illustrious names such as former Wales captain Ieuan Evans, and ex-England stars Adedayo Adebayo, Jon Callard and Nigel Redman.

Yet for much of the game, an Oxford side matched them, and it was only in the close forward exchanges that Bath held sway.

Behind the scrum, some of the best running came from pacy full back Nathan Ashley, whose searing breaks into the line excited the 1,500-strong crowd.

Bath scored after five minutes through No 8 Mabon Jones but Oxford replied when centre Kurt Shuman intercepted a pass and gallloped 70 yards for Nick Booth to convert.

After 20 minutes, the Blues actually led 7-5, but Bath were 22-10 up at the break after tries from Matt Street and Mark Regan, plus a harsh penalty try. Callard, shown a yellow card after a head-high tackle, landed one conversion, while Booth kicked a penalty for the home side.

In the second half, Bath added tries through replacement Ocke Booyse, Dave Hilton, Jones, Toke Adebayo and the best of the night from Mick Tindell. Callard added two conversions and John Williams one.

Oxford replied via Japanese flanker Takuro Miuchi and a penalty try. Booth converted both and added a penalty on an encouraging night for the Blues, who lost scrum half Shaun Barry with a broken nose.

Oxford: N Ashley, N Booth, K Shuman, J Kinniburgh, N Humphries, R Governey, S Barry (T Beer 54), A Collins, B O'Connor, A Reuben, A Roberts, M Mills (A Russell 45), T Miuchi, N Celliers (capt), M Challender.

Bath: J Callard (J Williams 63), I Evans (R Murray 40), M Tindell, T Adebayo, A Adebayo, S Fitzgerald, A Nicol, D Hilton, M Regan (L Meers 68), M Street (L Maddick 59), S Borthwick, N Redman (O Booyse 40), R Earnshaw, D Jones, M Jones.

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