Oxford University slipped to a 21-5 defeat at Richmond last night.
The Dark Blues, with fullback Henry Lamont to the fore, started brightly, but it was Richmond who took the lead after 20 minutes when left wing Jon Courtney scored a try in the corner.
Richmond kept up the pressure, and were rewarded with a second try when hooker Tom Cobb burrowed over from five metres to make it 10-0 at half-time.
Replacement fly half James Wilson kicked two penalties early in the second half for Richmond.
But Oxford, with scrum half Stuart Commins having a good debut, rallied and were encamped on the Richmond line, without being able to make it count.
Dark Blues captain John Carter was replaced on the hour mark by Mike Rickner, and he had a swift impact with a pushover try from a scrum.
Cassian Bramham-Law missed the conversion.
Oxford continued to press, but it was Richmond who added to their tally when Courtney scored his second try on 72 minutes.
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