OXFORD bowed out of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup when outclassed 46-14 by hosts Whitehaven in their second-round tie on Sunday.
After a long trip north, struggled early on, and it was only in the last quarter that the Blues scored twice to make the score respectable.
Whitehaven, a long-established name in the sport, dominated the first half-hour, scoring four converted tries to go 24-0 in front.
Oxford responded with a try in the corner from Curtis MacDonald, but the Cumbrian side replied quickly to take a 30-4 half-time lead.
The pattern continued into the second half, the hosts stretching their lead to 40-4.
Oxford did not give up and scored tries through John Atkinson and replacement Brad Moules, both converted by Harvey Burnett, to make the score 40-16.
Whitehaven scored another try near the end to complete the convincing victory.
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