WORCESTER Cavaliers fought back from a half-time deficit to beat Oxford University 34-25 at Iffley Road.

Five second-half tries turned the game on its head as a young Cavaliers side overcame the students.

Oxford raced into an 18-5 lead at the break with just Max Stelling going over the whitewash for Cavaliers.

The centre added another in the second period with scores from Ben Howard, Josh McNaughty, James Tyas and a penalty try ensuring Cavaliers came away with victory.

Academy manager Mark Hewitt said: "We were off the pace in the first-half and they beat us at the breakdowns.

"But the boys worked hard and in the second-half we started with a bang when Howard scored and we didn't look back."

Just a handful of senior players made an appearance in the clash with Oxford and Hewitt admits he was delighted with the youngsters who rose to the occasion.

He continued: "I'm really pleased with the side that finished the match as there were four under 17 players on the field."

"Callum Young, Andrew Kitchener, Jon Hughes and Ben Williams all played for the under 18 side which lost at Northampton last week, but they showed they can make the step up.

"We scored a push-over try with the forwards driving the ball over and the youngest guy in the front five was just 19."

Cavaliers will next be in action against Bristol United on November 25 at Sixways and will play matches against the Navy and the Army in the new year.

Hewitt added: "We intend to find four or five more development fixtures after Christmas as these games are a chance for us to look at those 17-year-olds and bring them up for next year.

"We've got a real pipeline of kids coming through the age-groups which we are trying to identify now and after this year we will be strong at every age level."