VETERAN receiver Sam Armstrong scored the vital second touchdown to secure Oxford Saints a nail-biting 14-13 victory over Ouse Valley Eagles at Tilsley Park, Abingdon.

It was a second straight win for the Saints in Division 1 Central of the Southern Conference and lifts them to fourth in the table.

Early on, the hosts struggled to get things moving with runners Shaun Griffin and Isa Mohammed being tackled in the backfield for a loss of yards.

Meanwhile, Eagles put together a drive with a series of short runs, helped along the way by multiple penalties against the Saints defence.

These penalties proved crucial as they allowed the visitors to keep their drive alive, with Mateusz Garus running the ball in from ten yards for a touchdown. Sam Gale missed the extra point.

Oxford’s offence gained momentum when James Sharples connected with Jeremie Leonard for a 32-yard completion down the sideline.

Sharples took a shot into the endzone attempting to hook up with Leonard again, but it was incomplete.

On the next play, running back Mohammed ran through multiple defenders and into the endzone for a 26-yard touchdown, Sam Fielden kicking the extra point to give the hosts a 7-6 lead.

Towards the end of the first half, two breakaways saw Ouse Valley gain 39 yards and 36 yards on back-to-back plays.

With just a yard to go, Jamie Smith ran the ball over the goalline for a touchdown. Gale added the extra point to give Eagles a 13-7 half-time lead.

For most of the third quarter, both sides battled back and forth, but neither could find the endzone.

Then after strong running from Mohammed, Griffin and Tony Glover, Sharples passed the ball into Armstrong for the touchdown.

Fielden kicked the extra point and Oxford were in front again 14-13.

Following adjustments made at half-time, the Saints defence had become a different force, preventing Eagles from gaining a single first-down in the second half and ensuring a narrow but deserved victory.