A late charge from Russia denied Oxford University what would have been an impressive victory as they were beaten 31-24 at Iffley Road thanks to two tries in the final ten minutes, writes Matthew Bruce.

The students had led 24-7 at half-time after making a bright start which saw them camped inside the Russia half in the opening exchanges.

The Dark Blues took a deserved lead after 17 minutes when Gavin Turner burst through two tackles to touch down in the corner. Jonathan Hudson then converted from a tight angle.

Just minutes later Oxford extended their lead to ten points when Matt Janney converted a long-range penalty from just inside the Oxford half.

Russia hit back and soon reduced the deficit when the powerful Andrey Garbuzov forced his way over the line, Yury Kushashev adding the extras.

But with half-time looming the hosts edged even further in front with two tries in the space of four minutes.

First Henry Lamont darted through a gap in the tourists’ lines to leave the Russian defenders grasping after thin air and then Will Rowlands drove over the line in the last action of the half.

Replacement fly-half Jacob Taylor converted both tries to give Oxford a commanding 24-7 lead at the break.

Russia made a host of changes at half-time and it had an instant impact, with Denis Simplikevich bursting through for their second try.

But Pavel Butenko missed the conversion and it appeared as though the Russians would be out of luck as they struggled to find a way through a steadfast Oxford defence.

The tourists got themselves back to within one score after 67 minutes when Valeriy Tsnobiladze drove through, with Ramil Gaysin converting to make it 24-19.

And when Tom Reeson-Price was sin-binned with just ten minutes remaining, the Russians made their man advantage count as they mounted an assault on the line, eventually forcing a penalty try.

Gaysin converted a straightforward kick to put Russia ahead for the first time with just five minutes remaining.

Oxford pressed forward in a final attempt to regain their lead and Janney saw his long-distance penalty attempt fall just short.

But the hosts were dealt a blow at the death as Russia broke quickly from a turn-over on the halfway line for Igor Galinovsky to go over in the corner.

Oxford University: Doe (Shorthose 40), Williams, Janney, Turner, Lamont, Hudson (Taylor 35), Egerton, Anderson (Heathcote 60), Gardner (Wisson 60), Williams (Macdonald 50), Reeson-Price, Rowlands, Macdonald (Patch 75), Harris, Carter (Rickner 40).