KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP ONE

OXFORD RL put in a spirited display, despite losing 48-6 at promotion-chasing Hunslet Hawks.

The visitors bagged a consolation try from Sean Morris in the second half, but Hunslet were comfortable winners, defeating Oxford for a third time this season.

Hawks opened the scoring on seven minutes with a simple try from Leeds Rhinos loanee Chris Clarkson.

David March converted this and his own try shortly afterwards.

Only some courageous Oxford defending kept Hunslet out before Danny Grimshaw went over for the first of a brace, March converting.

Grimshaw struck again after selling an outrageous dummy, with Thomas Coyle converting for a 24-0 half-time lead.

Liam Mackay ran in Hunslet’s fifth try just after the break, Coyle again converting.

Gavin Duffy’s score and March’s conversion made it 36-0.

Oxford’s vocal travelling support were buoyed when Morris took the ball at pace to touch down, with Jimmy Rowland converting.

The final 20 minutes of the game turned into a bit of an armwrestle with Hawks going over for two more tries.

Firstly, Jimmy Watson dummied his way over for Coyle to convert.

And then Duffy got his second just before the final hooter, with March adding the extras.

Oxford will look to take this spirit and performance into next week when they visit London Skolars.

Oxford RL: S Morris, Parker, Mulkeen, Brooker, J Morris, Rowland, Connick, Davies, Sharratt, Evans, Hayles, Hoggins, Thompson. Reps: Blaney, Rice, O’Keefe, Newton.