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Note to poachers: if you’re after rhinos, the Anglia Ruskin variety tend to go down without much of a fight. Last Saturday, Oxford’s very own American football team, the Lancers, took down the Rhinos in a 62-0 demolition — a victory that will go down in Oxford sporting history as the team’s first ever win.
Due to a league restructuring, this was the first time the Lancers had ever faced the Rhinos — the men from Anglia Ruskin will be hoping it was also the last. The Lancers won the toss, giving them a rare if tenuous taste of victory, but decided to defer, putting their ‘defense’ on the field to start the game (American football, American spellings, champ). The Rhinos’ charge, however, was a limp one; the ball was quickly turned over on downs, allowing the Lancers’ offense to get to work.
Marshalled by veteran quarterback Will Szymanski, the offense began to run riot. Szyman- ski passed for three touchdowns, two of those to powerful running back Scott Tan; the quarterback even got in on the action himself with a dramatic running touchdown. Any attempts at a reply from the Rhinos were quashed ruth- lessly. The defense shut down the Rhinos’ assaults time and time again, conceding very little yardage and forcing multiple turnovers, including an impressive interception — or “pick six” — from Adam Wong. With two more rushing touchdowns before half-time, the Lancers were well in control at the break, cruising along with a comfortable 38-0 lead. This was uncharted territory indeed.
The second half only offered further misery for the Rhinos and further jubilation for the Lancers — with an almost unassailable points cushion, Oxford’s American footballers dared to believe that they might just be about to break the habit of a lifetime and secure a win. The performance of the special team units deserves special mention here, with impressive execution throughout the match; worthy of particular note was the successful kick return performed by rookie Andrew Hartland. By the time receiver Jonny ‘Priest’ Brooks put in the final points late in the game, the time for prayer had long gone for the Rhinos.
What next, then, for the boys in bulky sports gear? Sunday 16th November sees the Lancers take on the Kent Falcons, who will no doubt offer a sterner test than the Rhinos; having tasted victory for the first time, however, the Lancers will be looking to claim their next aggressive-fast-scary-animal-themed victim.
The Lancers are always looking for new recruits – for more info, email [email protected].
