By Ryan Booth
Oxford cruised to a 49-6 victory over their rivals Oxford Brookes in the city's university derby.
The hosts headed into the game full of optimism, after storming to a 104-6 win at Leicester last time out.
Brookes meanwhile, were looking to return to winning ways after a disappointing 33-20 defeat to Coventry in their previous fixture.
Nevertheless, this was to be Oxford's day as John Wylde scored four tries to ensure the high-flyers extended their unbeaten run to four games.
The home side came firing out of the blocks, racing into a 16-0 lead within the first half hour at University Parks.
However, Joel Hopkins crossed over moments before half time to restore the visitor’s hopes, Dan Chitty added the conversion.
Unfortunately for Brookes, they were unable to build any momentum from this as Oxford regrouped during the interval, before dominating throughout the second period.
In addition to Wylde's efforts, Matt Wilson claimed a double, while Marco Hiscox, Reilly Knight and James Yeomans scored a try each.
Connor Williets continued his excellent start to the season, the full-back kicked 6 conversions for Oxford.
Nick Dodds added a drop goal to complete the rout.
Oxford's Angus McCance commented: "It was our best performance of the season.
"A tightly contested and physical first half in which we gained the upper hand, before letting them back into it just before half time.
"We came out strongly in the second half and scored two quick tries which gave us a bit of a cushion."
With Oxford now unbeaten in their last four games, McCance feels it is a reward his side thoroughly deserves.
"All the fitness work we’ve put in over the term has paid off, we were able to run them off their feet and score 6 second half tries."
The result means Oxford now finish the semester in second position, whereas Oxford Brookes currently sit third heading into next week’s final round of fixtures.
Oxford: Conor Williets, John Wylde, Will Taverner, Will Henshall, Louis Claxton, Nick Dodds, Matt Wilson, Sven Kerneis, Angus McCance, Phil Maffetone, Marco Hiscox, Josh Blackaby, Reilly Knight. Subs: Ed Harris, Ashir Mir, Pete Woodcock, James Yeomans.
Oxford Brookes: Ben Felton, James Vickery, Tim Juggins, Jacob Rory Miller, Kristian Drew, Dan Chitty, Toby Mallinson, James Ward, Dougie Jives Chirnside, Joel Hopkins, Cam Southgate, Rory Wise, Ben Jayson. Subs: Sam Hughes, Nick Going, Josh Adamson, Alexander Jackson.
Elsewhere:
Two other games took place this week in the BUCS Midlands 1A division, league leaders Coventry remain unbeaten, after a 70-12 victory over Leicester at Westwood Heath.
In the week's final game, Birmingham returned to winning ways with a 40-26 triumph at Loughborough.
