Blues Rugby League
Oxford Rugby League played its inaugural double home fixture this week against Exeter’s first and and second teams. The Blues form had been patchy coming into the game, but a strong win against Loughborough meant many in the camp were optimistic against a hitherto undefeated Exeter side.
The Maroons, who had not played for two weeks, started strongly, taking a ten point early lead and dominating both possession and territory. Oxford were, however, unable to turn this pressure into a flood of points floor and a momentary lapse in defensive resolve saw a fielded kick returned for a try. This was to be their only error of the game, and the maroons came away 10 – 6 winners.
The Blues game was equally well-fought, playing against a team coming off the back of a 78-0 rumbling of Northampton the previous week. The conditions led to many errors which demanded much from their defensive efforts, but for most of the first half, Oxford kept Exeter at bay. Exeter did manage to convert pressure into points and went in at half time in the lead. The second half saw a rejuvenated Blues side begin to attack with more veracity. Tries came from pivot Ben Calverley and two from wing George Darrah, tying the game up at 20-20 with not much time to play. As the final seconds of the match ebbed away, Oxford entered the Exeter half and won a penalty, calmly converted by Calverley, taking the Blues into a two point lead. An Oxford win seemed likely, however, in the cruelest of twists, a misfielded kick into the Oxford in-goal zone was grounded by a charging Exeter player and given as a try in what was the last play of the game.
Joe Davidson
Blues Rugby
Oxford 0
Saracens 55
What can be better than a crisp Monday night down at Iffley Road watching the Blues take on some quality Premiership opposition? Is there cheaper entertainment when a ticket is a pound and a beer and burger set you back just a pound more?
This Monday saw the visit of a Saracens side in which every player bar one had experienced first team Premiership rugby and each member of the front row had international caps. On the wing was England Saxons star Noah Cato who was to prove a real handful for a Blues side that showed plenty of promise over the course of the game but who ultimately came up just short against what was undoubtedly an extremely high quality opposition.
With tries being run in fairly frequently, it would be easy to forget the moments of high quality rugby from the Blues. Ball in hand, this year’s crop are an exciting team to watch and a string of disappointing results will not dishearten what is a very united squad.
Next up for the Blues is a Northampton U21 side who will visit Iffley Road next Monday to play what will be Oxford’s final game before Varsity.
If ever the team needed a large and vocal backing that game will be it and with the entry deals as they are, there really is no excuse to stay away!
James Crozier
Blues Lacrosse
Oxford 18
Bristol 7
A tale of revenge, brutality and no mercy. Oxford were out to prove a point to a team that had disgraced themselves in all aspects of sportsmanship. At the first game of the term the Bristol side had beaten Oxford 7-5 after having failed to inform the Oxford team that they were not playing on the traditional grass surface that is associated with lacrosse, forcing the Oxford elite to play in a mismatch of casual shoes. Unsportingly, Bristol had refused to replay the match, knowing that Oxford was the better side. Therefore in this long awaited ‘Clash of the Titans’ the hardened band of Oxford brothers were out to teach their opposition a valuable lesson in the art of lacrosse.
Tensions were escalated before play began as midfielder John Patten dislocated his shoulder in a heated warm up session. However the team continued with heads held high under the experienced eyes of leader Abdul El-Sayed. The first half of the game was slow to start with an even display of goals from both sides, as well as ferocious defensive attitude. The first half did see superb finishes from Americans Mike Broida, Elias Rothblatt and Peter Windsor, as well as from veteran British pros such as Gareth Shellard, Matt Beresford and Mikey Davis and, despite a strong show from the Bristol side, Oxford had gained a 6 goal lead by half time.
In the final stage of the match Oxford collectively realised their ambition as a cohesive unit of men and surged forward. Defensive masters Abdul, Tom Clohessy and Stephen Gaw managed to repel Bristol attacks under the watchful gaze of goalie Cyprian Yonge, whilst at the other end of the field goal after goal found the back of the Bristol net, including a series of left hand cranks by Mike Broida, epic dives by Matt Beresford and a first goal for Oxford lacrosse from Joe Lockey. As the final whistle blew, Bristol left the pitch with their feet dragging and heads pointed to the floor, while the Dark Blues’ resounding cheer was said to be heard from inside the Bodleian library. Oxford 18, Bristol 7. The Oxford reign continues.
John Patten
