The cream of college rugby, Keble and St Edmund Hall, found themselves up against each other in the final hurdle of a tough season. The Oxford inter college league drew to a close with a winner-takes all decider.
With the title of league champions ready for claiming just eighty minutes away, the pressure on both teams was visible. Crowds gathered in University Parks to witness these two well established rivals battle it out once again.
Would Teddy Hall be able to repeat their Cuppers final performance from two years ago and steal the title from within Keble’s grasp? An electric atmosphere rose from the side lines as the match kicked off and the action began.
A shaky first half for both sides left the score close at half time. Both teams had been pumped up after coming off the back of eight game winning streaks, but it was Teddy Hall that emerged as the stronger side, on the back of an impressive season, despite being relegated last year. Keble was forced into needless mistakes, with a few bemoaned dropped passes at vital points and some crucial missed kicks.
Teddy Hall, determined and focused, were quick to cause trouble at the base of scrums, creating opportunities for attack at several points. Hall meant business, and despite a strong performance from Keble’s defence, the persistence of Teddy Hall’s front line meant that Keble conceded two penalties. Hall raced into a six point lead, thanks to the talented boot of Angus Eames, who had an outstanding game as kicker.
This, however, could not stop Keble’s well organised and powerful forward pack striking. Thanks to a toppling maul from a line out within ten metres of Hall’s try line Richard Brown was able to score a try in the fifteenth minute, in a move lifted straight from training and characteristic of Keble’s attack. This left Keble only one point behind, causing the game’s intensity to rise paralleling the support from the crowd. The tension was reflected in both teams’ play, tackling hard and leaving little mercy for the opposition, with some big hits all over the field, and a few close escapes from the sin bin.
Building on their superior performance though Teddy Hall managed to secure their lead for the second half with another successful penalty from Eames on eighteen minutes, resulting in a 9-5 score line at half time. Keble’s defence returned to maximum strength in the second half of the game as Alex Arcourt-Rippingale came on to complete the Keble back line. A strong first ten minutes saw a few opportunities for Keble to score, but Teddy Hall continued to thwart them with their substantial number of powerful players, which gave their side important depth. It wasn’t until ten minutes in that a slight lapse from Hall allowed Keble’s talismanic No. 8, Bob Pittam, to touch down from yet another rolling maul. Keble had taken the lead for the first time in the match, but at 10-9 the game was far from won.
Possession and territory continued to swing between the teams throughout the second half, and it wasn’t until the thirtieth minute that Keble fly half Charlie King was eventually able to secure three points for the title holders. With a 13-9 lead going into the last ten minutes, the game was still neck and neck.
Chanting from the sidelines laced the edges of a pitch where it would take more than s.ome mud and wind to crack the determination of these premium college players. Hearts were racing when in the final five minutes a cracking break and ambitious pass by Teddy Hall’s number 11 was rendered futile by a vital fumble, a reminder that this was by no means going to be an easy win.
As the final whistle blew, 13-9 secured Keble’s eighth consecutive league win, reinforcing their strong hold on the college rugby scene, and ensuring they remain a cut above the rest. No doubt the trophy will serve as a useful addition to their celebrations.
