Saracens dished out an almighty 55-0 beating to Oxford University at Iffley Road on Monday night.

The visitors ran in eight tries, with their outstanding England Saxons wing Noah Cato bagging a hat-trick.

Saracens, who had World Cup-winning flanker Rich-ard Hill among their coaches, fielded a strong side, with Cato the stand-out name.

Saracens took the lead with a penalty from fly half Jake Sharp on three minutes.

No sooner had Oxford kicked off again, then Sarries scrum half Kevin Barrett was racing out from defence.

The ball was recycled for Cato to show even greater pace and cruise in on the left.

Oxford were lucky to survive a series of penalties inside their own 22, mostly from scrums before winning one themselves to clear.

Captain Nick Haydon launched an exciting attack on 19 minutes, but the Dark Blues were too slow when the move broke down.

No sooner had referee Simon Harding announced advantage over, then Sarries had launched right wing Luke Baldwin to canter in for try No 2, Sharp converting.

Oxford were starved of possession and fly half Charlie Marr was guilty of kicking away what they had – and twice messing up re-starts.

Saracens’ third try was scored by experienced prop Richard Skuse on 27 minutes, Sharp converting.

Harding ran out of patience at the penalty count and sin-binned Oxford wing Luke Fenwick.

A minute later, England Sevens man Barrett showed the students a clean pair of heels for try No 4, expertly converted by Sharp.

It was 34-0 at half-time when hooker Harry Allen latched on to Sharp’s chip kick for an easy finish.

Oxford made four changes at the break and needed to replace sub Tom Yusef due to a leg injury ten minutes later.

That came just after Cato shook his hips to score a classy second try, which Sharp converted.

Oxford had a bright mom-ent, winning a turnover near their own line and Fenwick running the ball clear, but lock Karl Outen knocked on and within a minute, Sarries scored again.

Cato strolled in for his hat-trick after collecting Sharp’s cross kick and the latter converted.

Full back Ben Ransom had a suspicion of off-side about him as he latched on to Sharp’s grubber for try No 8, which Sharp converted.

Oxford full back James Crozier continued to show willingness as a runner, but a try still looked far away.

Harding blew up early due to an injury to Sarries’ replacement Tom Jubb, who was at least able to hobble off.

Oxford University: Crozier, Fenwick, H Guinness, Cheesman* (Yusef 41, Fern-quest 50), Jones, Marr, Haydon* (capt) (J Mather 41), Macdonald (Anderson 41), Connor (Oliver 41), Kane, Evans (Durward 60), Outen*, D Guinness (Rowe 51), L Mather (Swan 60), McKeen*#.

Saracens: Ransom, Baldwin, Smith, Staff, Cato (Smart 72), Sharp, Barrett (Bird 52), Parr (Ellershaw 64), Allen (Saunders 60), Skuse (Brown 60), Kruis, Ryder, Fraser (Jubb 69), Hankin (Bache 69), Barrell.

* denotes Blue. # denotes international.

Referee: S Harding (RFU).

Oxford man-of-the-match: Crozier.

SEE Thursday’s Oxford Mail to discover if you are the face in the crowd from last night’s match.

The winner will receive £75 courtesy of The Varsity Match.