Oxfordshire were relegated from the County Championship Shield after a comprehensive 42-3 defeat to Hertfordshire at Old Alban- ians.

They will play in the Plate next season having lost all three games this year, scoring just 19 points.

Oxon were promoted to the Shield in 2003 and 2006, but on both occasions lasted just two campaigns in the middle tier.

They needed to beat Herts by 29 points to survive on Saturday, but struggled against the hosts' superior back row.

Brent Lemiere grabbed a loose ball to bustle over for Herts' opening try, which was converted by Richard Gregg.

Banbury's teenage fly half Alex Stevenson, who was making his debut, kicked a fine penalty from 40 metres.

Herts led 14-3 at the break thanks to Jon Child's try and Gregg's conversion.

Ray Adde, Alfie Church, Gregg and Handre Schmidt bagged second-half scores for the home side, with Gregg converting each one.