MASTERS: CHEETAHS WILL COME GOOD

OXFORD No.1 Sam Masters expects his new side to quickly become a competitive force in the Cab Direct Championship.

Masters scored 15 points at Poole on Friday but the Cheetahs suffered a 24-point defeat as the Pirates completed a double in the southern group of the BSN Series.

But the Australian, who made the switch to Cowley from Edinburgh over the winter, insists they will come good sooner rather than later.

He said: “It’s so early in the season and we’re learning new things all the time. We’ve only had two meetings and there’s still a long way to go.

“We’re getting on really well as a team, having fun and the results will come.

“I’ve been at Edinburgh for a lot of years, so coming to Oxford is a big change for me. But Jamie (Courtney) and Pete (Schroeck) and the whole club have been professional and respectful and so welcoming, and I’m the over the moon to join Oxford.”