Oxford 32, Gosford All Blacks 10

Oxford ran out comfortable winners to book themselves a place in the Oxfordshire Shield final.

The hosts scored six tries to Gosford's one and had far more incision in their back line.

Gosford led 3-0 and rallied to make it 17-10 in the second half, but never had enough quality possession to pose a concerted threat.

With a strong wind behind them, Gosford began with decent momentum and scrum half Tim Ellis's seventh-minute penalty gave them a deserved lead.

Oxford centre Tom Olley served notice of intent with a strong midfield run, which was ended by Christian Lloyd's tap tackle.

The visitors' tactical kicking was not as good as it could have been and they were punished after 26 minutes.

An initial break from flanker Nick Graham saw him stopped just short.

But No 8 Mark Dixon was soon driven over for a pushover try after Gosford wing Marc Grant had been sin-binned.

Such was the wind that Oxford would have fancied their chances even if they had been trailing at the break, but their lead was 12-3.

Centre Neil Walker powered through for a 36th-minute try, which Olley converted.

It looked to be game over when Oxford bagged their third score on 46 minutes.

Slick handling from fly half Adam Thompson and Graham gave wing Joe Hartley the chance to finish in the corner.

Oxford replaced their entire back row soon after and the pendulum momentarily swung.

Ed Watson, one of their replacements, was yellow-carded and Gosford took full advantage to drive prop Lee Donnelly over from close range.

Ellis slotted the conversion and for a little while, the comeback looked on for a rejuvenated Gosford.

The final ten minutes put paid to that.

Thompson again found Hartley in space, this time on the left wing, and he dummied his way over for his second try.

It was 27-10 on 73 minutes thanks to Olley's score on the left wing and Gosford were on the rack.

The final blow came in stoppage time when hard-working lock James Knox stretched over for try No 6.

This was tough on Gosford, but Oxford had been attacking at will.

Oxford: Cameron (Heins 72), Hartley, Olley, Walker, Longuet-Higgins, Thompson, Derrick, Walters, Rudman, Molyneux (Lockwood 72), Knox, Mason, MacDonald (capt) (Souters 51), Graham (Watson 51), Dixon (Buncle 51).

Gosford: Marno, Webb (Eynon 50), Murray (Holburn 35), Lloyd, Grant, Sheppard, Ellis, Baughan (Dimond 70), Stevens, Lee Donnelly, Burbidge, Stepney, Brooks (Parker 40), Hughes (capt), Beesley (Griffin 40).

Referee: A Swift (Oxfordshire).

Man-of-the-match: Olley.