OXFORDSHIRE’S hopes of reaching the National Under 20 Championship quarter-finals suffered a setback with a last-gasp 5-5 draw against Dorset & Wilts.

A try from Oxford Harlequins centre Jonny Tevita, five minutes from time, looked to have won the South West Region A encounter at North Dorset.

But Dorset hit back with centre Marcus Beer’s try on 79 minutes, meaning Oxon must now defeat unbeaten Berkshire at Henley in their final group match on Sunday to progress.

“It was an awful game,” admitted Oxfordshire coach Martin Moran.

“It was terrible conditions, blowing a gale and we even had snow, so neither team put much together, really.

“We also had a lot of injuries with six new replacements because of the injuries and non-availability as well.”

Oxford University trio Matt Shorthouse, Henry Heath and Guy Richardson, plus Elliot Deacon (Witney) and Lucas Hill (Grove) were among those drafted into the squad.

Should Oxon beat Berks, they will face Gloucestershire in the quarter-final.

  • CHIPPING Norton will be favourites to end a promising season with some silverware after reaching the Oxfordshire Shield final.

The west Oxfordshire side, who lie fourth in the BB&O Premier Division, will face Littlemore or Gosford All Blacks at Iffley Road on Saturday, April 7.

Chippy saw off Blue Boar 22-5 in Sunday’s semi-final, with Matt Dawson grabbing a brace of tries.

Lee Tustin and Richard Flather also crossed over for Chippy, with Tom Hall converting one.

Charlie Ross scored Boar’s solitary try.