OXFORD RL made club history by securing a fourth successive home victory with a 38-30 win over South Wales Scorpions in Kingstone Press League 1.
Eight points from their last four fixtures at Iffley Road have seen the Blues rise to ninth in the table.
However, they were made to work hard by Scorpions.
Despite Andy Matthews’s hat-trick, Oxford trailed 30-22 in the second half, but scores from Luke Evans, Matty Blythe and Danny Thomas led the Blues to victory.
The visitors took the lead on three minutes when Ian Newbury crossed.
Paul Emanuelli converted.
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Josh Scott went over, Louis Richards added the extras, to bring Oxford level, but it was the visitors who regained the lead.
Andy Joy slipped through a gap to score on 20 minutes.
Emanuelli was successful with the boot to make it 12-6.
However, Oxford hit back and took the lead for the first time.
Matthews crossed, before grabbing a second. Richards converted both scores.
Last-ditch tackles prevented Oxford adding to the scoreboard and the Blues were made to pay as Jordan Sheridan latched on to Emanuelli’s grubber to touch down.
Emanuelli successfully converted for 18-18.
Scorpions were first off the mark after the break as Connor Davies dived over and Emanuelli continued his fine goal-kicking form.
But Oxford once again responded with Matthews grounding in the corner for his hat-trick.
However, Richards’s kick came back off a post and left Oxford trailing 24-22.
The visitors stretched their lead to eight points when Ian Newbury slipped through.
Emanuelli once again added the extras as the Blues looked in trouble.
Oxford were kept at bay before Luke Evans burst through, Richards converted, to narrow the gap.
The Blues regained the lead with 11 minutes remaining as Blythe dived over, but Scorpions still had hope as Richards failed to convert.
Three minutes later, Oxford sealed victory as Thomas ran through to score.
Richards added the extras to seal the Blues’ fourth win.
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