FERGUS Taylor scored two tries as Oxford University confidently beat Croatia 41-5 in Zagreb.

The only previous meeting was a 17-17 draw in April 2014, but the Dark Blues were in impressive form to run in seven tries against a national side warming up for games against Israel and Malta.

Both teams looked to spread the ball in excellent conditions.

The visitors showed greater accuracy and composure, though, to lead 22-0 by halftime.

Left wing Tom Stileman opened the scoring when he sprinted over from 40 metres to touch down under the posts, giving Andrew Abraham a simple conversion.

Taylor, who enjoyed a good game in both the tight and loose, made it 12-0 when he was driven over from a lineout.

Abraham missed the conversion, but got on the scoresheet again when he pounced on a handling error and ran almost the length of the pitch to score.

Oxford’s grip on the game tightened further on the stroke of half-time.

Centre Henry Hughes crossed out wide for their fourth try to send the visitors in at the break with a big lead.

The interval did nothing to alter the flow of the game, with the Dark Blues’ scrum totally dominant, alongside an effective line-out and a back division which carried plenty of attacking threat out wide.

So there was some surprise when Croatia were the next to score.

A perfect cross-field kick was superbly caught on the wing to clinch a slick try.

Any hope the home fans had of a comeback was snuffed out almost immediately.

Oxford’s response was decisive, with Taylor powering over from five metres.

Abraham converted to stretch the lead to 29-5.

As the home defence tired, there was still time for two more scores.

Scrum-half Henry de Berker weaved his way through under the posts,.

Abraham was again successful with the extras.

The final score came with just under five minutes to play, when centre Henry Lamont raced in from 20 metres to score in the corner.

After flying home, the preparations for the Varsity Match in December will continue against Bristol at Iffley Road on Monday, November 9 (7.30pm).

Oxford Uni: K Ball, R Halpin, I Williams, F Taylor, N Roberts-Huntley, J Faktor, W Thornton, G Messum, H de Berker, G Cullen, G Fairburn, H Lamont, H Hughes, T Stileman, C Goodfellow.

Subs: L Anderson, H Lu, J Marsden, G MacGilchrist, T Kershaw, A Abraham, O Shorthose.

Scorers – Tries: F Taylor (2), H de Berker, H Hughes, H Lamont, A Abraham. Cons: A Abraham (3).