OXFORD RL’s depressing run of defeats continued when they crashed 66-0 away to London Skolars in the Kingstone Press Division 1 Shield on Saturday.

It was the 11th defeat in a row for the Blues and came against a team, whom they had beaten 24-20 in the League Cup this season.

The home side took the lead on six minutes, when Mike Bishay kicked through and the ball ricocheted off a limping Adam Dent, with Jake Melling following up to score.

Dent went off before the restart and Oxford’s rearrangement of their backs left them short in attack.

Melling scored his second try after ten minutes, before John Paxton sent Jymel Coleman over for their third try.

It took an interception by Luke Gardiner to give Oxford some breathing space, but they couldn’t find any gaps in the home defence.

Skolars added a further two tries at the end of the first half through Eddie Mbaraga and Josh Allison.

Trailing 30-0, Oxford had a good spell at the start of the second half, before Skolars resumed their scoring spree with further tries from Mbaraga, Allison and Bishay.

Melling completed his hat-trick when going over in the right corner.

There was a stoppage as Skolars’ John Paxton was taken to hospital with a knee injury, but on the restart, Coleman set up Mbaraga for his second.

The home side added a penalty and scored a further try when Kazeem Faturoti-Edwards darted over in the final minute.

Coleman landed his 12th goal.

Oxford will be looking to end their poor run when they take on South Wales Ironmen at Tilsley Park, Abingdon on Sunday.

THERE was disappointment for Oxford Cavaliers, who went down 36-18 to Swindon St George in the grand final of the West of England competition at the Portway Rugby Development Centre, Bristol.

Cavaliers led 14-12 at halftime, but faded as Swindon turned the screw in the second half.

Connor Tomley scored one of Cavaliers three tries and added one conversion.