Oxford Harlequins 15, Westcombe Park 21

OXFORD Harlequins had more than enough possession and territory to win this EDF Energy National Trophy round one clash.

But all too often they lacked the guile and patience to cut through in a second half they dominated.

Quins can certainly point to a harshly disallowed try when they were adjudged to have been held up on 51 minutes, and they still only finished six points adrift.

Westcombe Park fielded just one regular first team starter in centre James Kite, so were never likely to repeat the 80-point thrashing they recently handed out to Chinnor in National 3 South.

But they defended with passion and no little skill to progress to round two.

Captain Sam Barnett gave Westcombe the lead with an eighth-minute penalty after Quins' full back Pete Davis had scuffed a far simpler chance.

Quins continued to look dangerous with half backs Anthony Cope and Owen Gustafson pulling the strings, but couldn't apply the finishing touch.

Westcombe, however, scored when they had the chance, and Barrett made it 6-0 with a 21st-minute penalty.

Davis reduced the deficit with one of his own, but some more indiscipline allowed Barrett to slot a third penalty on 27 minutes.

Westcombe No 8 Jamie White was sin-binned for a professional foul on the half hour and Quins took full advantage when prop Paul DeLange piled over after a five-metre lineout.

Davis converted to give the hosts a deserved lead, but it was short-lived.

Excellent running from centre Nicky Davis and Barnett gave winger Tom Mitchell space to scamper over.

Quins ended the half on the front foot, but suffered a major blow when Westcombe hooker Phil Rogers touched down on 47 minutes after scrum half Sam Carter had sliced through midfield.

Barrett's conversion made it 21-10, but Westcombe showed little attacking threat after that.

For all Quins' pressure, they should have been further behind on 66 minutes when replacement Nick Daniel was denied a try by a needless forward pass.

Quins rolled their maul towards the try line countless times, but when scores looked on, they suddenly went wide and played into the defence's hands.

They finally broke through on 80 minutes when prop Simon Chadbone touched down in the left corner after Gustafson's sharp break.

Westcombe came out of their shell in stoppage time and Quins were unable to press again.

Oxford Harlequins: Davis, Noyce, White, Wilson, Recchia, Gustafson (capt), A Cope, Chadbone (Chapman 61), Needham (Mace 77), DeLange (Chadbone 71), Payne (Mason 32), Eckert, Young (Vinter 77), Knapp (Cradock 61), Soper.

Quins man-of-the-match: A Cope.