Oxfordshire suffered late agony in a 14-13 defeat to Dorset & Wilts in their opening National Under 20 Championship South West Region A match.

The hosts led 13-7 until the final minute at Chipping Norton before visiting captain Mike Pope scored and converted a try.

Oxon captain Alex Stevenson (Rugby Lions) put Oxon ahead with a penalty after five minutes.

Flanker Richard Cook (Oxford Brookes) pounced on a line-out overthrow to score a try, which Stevenson converted for 10-0.

Centre George Elliot’s try, converted by Pope, reduced the arrears, but Stevenson slotted a second penalty before the the break.

It stayed that way until right at the end.

Oxfordshire Under 20: Da Silva (Oxford Academy), O’Connor (Oxford Brookes), Boyle (Banbury), Sayce (Wallingford), Warriner (Bicester), Stevenson (capt, Rugby Lions), Cole (St Edward’s School), Edney (Oxford Academy), Wright (Banbury), Pickett (Chinnor), Mercer (Shiplake College), Sandy (Oxford Academy), Gardner (Magdalen College School), Cook (Oxford Brookes), Ducker (Oxford Harlequins). Reps: Barlow (Oxford Academy), Davies (Rugby Lions), Bullmore (Oxford Harlequins), Byles (Oxford Academy), Wallace (Banbury).

Oxfordshire Under 20s are looking to recruit more players.

For more information contact coaches Jamie Lakin on 07800 585324 and Nick Cole on 07710 043377.