James Monks and Henry Lamb starred as Oxfordshire began their Rugby Union County Championship Shield campaign with a dominant 59-27 win over Berkshire at Chipping Norton on Saturday.

Witney full back Monks crossed for the hosts’ second try, while fly half Lamb kicked 14 points with the boot, including a penalty from half-way.

Centre Matthew Clarke and hooker Sam Collins also started for Craig Burrows’s side in the commanding victory.

Richard Haire was named as a replacement and played the entire second half at blind side flanker.

Francois Wiese (2), Monks and Luke Brown crossed in the opening 30 minutes.

Lamb converted two of the scores, as well as kicking a three-pointer.

Guy Nicholl’s converted try gave Oxfordshire a 34-5 lead at the break.

Brendon White, Nicholl, Joe Mills and Seamus O’Dwyer touched down in the second half, while Berkshire scored four tries of their own.

Oxfordshire travel to Buckingham on Saturday.