NATHAN Kitson’s hat-trick and a late try from Andy Matthews helped Oxford RL produce a stunning comeback and beat Coventry Bears 24-20 at Iffley Road.

Trailing 18-6 just after the break, Kitson’s superb treble hauled the Blues into the lead.

And after Coventry’s Daniel Parker kicked a penalty to level, Matthews crossed for victory.

A fifth home win in seven games helped Tim Rumford’s side move up to ninth in Kingstone Press League 1.

The visitors took the lead in the third minute when Stephen Coleman dived over for a converted try.

And they should have extended their advantage, but James Geurtjens failed to ground and Jamahl Hunte dropped the ball three metres from the try line.

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Oxford forced a goal-line dropout and pushed forward within 15 metres of Coventry’s line where hooker Dean Mignacca burst over.

Kitson added the extras.

Mark Barlow knocked on as he tried to touch down and Oxford were made to pay for a lost ball near their own line as Liam Thompson crossed for 12-6.

Coventry’s Andy Winfield was sin-binned for stopping a playthe-ball just before the break.

But even with a man down for the first ten minutes of the half, Coventry extended their lead to 12 points as Ben Parry touched down and Parker converted.

Oxford shuffled the pack and Kitson moved to hooker, turning the game on its head with a ten-minute hat-trick.

His first try came on 55 minutes when he darted to the line from dummy-half.

However, his conversion attempt slipped wide.

Six minutes later, he intercepted a pass and sprinted 75 metres to touch down.

Louis Richards was unable to add the extras.

And Oxford were soon ahead as Kitson showed a short burst of pace to cross.

Richards converted for 20-18.

There was still time for more drama as Oxford were penalised for stealing the ball and Parker kicked a two-pointer to level the match.

However, with a minute to go, Danny Thomas set up Matthews to score in the corner.

Richards missed the conversion, but the hooter sounded immediately at the restart.