POOR tackling and ill-discipline sent Oxfordshire tumbling to a 42-26 defeat by Bucks in their RFU County Championship Shield match at Banbury.
It was a second defeat for the hosts, who recovered from a poor start to lead 23-22 at half-time, but Bucks ran away with the game in the second half.
Oxon found themselves 15-0 down early on after conceding two soft tries, one of which was converted, and a penalty goal.
However, they responded with a try from No 8 Ian Jeffries, plus a conversion and two penalties from Henry Lamb to bring it back to 15-13.
Oxon conceded another converted try, but replied again with a try from Brendan White, while Lamb’s conversion and penalty put them one point ahead at the break.
After the restart, Oxon fly half Mike Martin and his opposite number were yellow-carded following a flare-up, while the hosts later had lock Dave Hyde sent to the sin-bin.
The second half belonged to Bucks, who scored 20 points, while Oxon managed just a single penalty from Lamb.
Oxon finish their campaign against Essex at Eton Manor next Saturday.
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