January 13 2004 Al Mina	Oxford
Liban Espoir	12 24

13th of January, 2004 -Oxford University's first game on their tour of Lebanon was a titanic clash against Liban Espoir, a team who represent the best of young Lebanese Rugby League. The match was played in Tripoli against the backdrop of snow capped mountains.

The intensity of the game was signalled early by some hard driving from the Lebanese forwards with Rudi Hachache having early impact. This was matched in defence by an Oxford pack that excelled throughout the match with Adrian Clark and Chris Fitzgerald topping the tackle count. However, it was in their wide play that Oxford really had the advantage, the first try coming from a well worked back's move which was finished by Jonny Clayton. Oxford dominated the first quarter with the best individual try of the game coming from Joe Clark, who carried the ball the length of the field giving the English team a twelve point lead.

Liban Espoir replied with their best passage of play before the interval. Their forwards were the driving force behind a 20 minute encampment in Oxford's half, whose persistence was rewarded by a 36th minute try from Anthony Letayf to the obvious delight of the home support. It was in this period that Oxford really felt the effects of the hard work of the Lebanese Development Officer Danny Kazandjian who selected the Liban Espoir squad from the domestic student league.

Oxford showed their superior experience in the second half when Clayton, Hanson (who also converted two from five attempts) and Yarrow added their names to the score sheet. Espoir refused to give up and showed their spirit with a late try from Hachache. Oxford Captain Jonny Scholes was pleased with the overall performance: "There were certainly many positives to be taken from the result. All credit to the Lebanese lads - they gave us a great game. Hopefully we can take what we've learnt from this tour to build a Varsity winning side."