1st Rnd Oxon Shield - Match Report

14th January 2008

Oxford were given a run for their money by Harwell in the First Round of the Oxfordshire Shield before winning 17-13. Harwell, from a division lower than Oxford in the league structure, played with great spirit and determination and Oxford had to work hard for their success. Oxford made all the early running and used the backs to attack out wide from a lineout. Adam Thompson found Jack Rudman to drive hard in support and Tim Knapp took a short pass to score the opening try for Oxford, which Thompson converted. This spurred Harwell into action and they came back into the game with good rugby and, eventually, from a lineout, the forwards caught the ball and drove over Oxford's line for a try which was not converted. Again Harwell attacked and when Oxford were offside in front of the posts an easy penalty was kicked to give the home side an 8-7 half time lead. In their frustration Oxford continued to fumble and mis-handle the ball, and whilst Thompson was off the field with a blood injury Harwell cleverly attacked the blindside from a lineout and a try was scored in the corner. The inclusion of John Keown as a replacement was a turning point for Oxford and his straight, hard running gave the side some needed momentum. Oxford stepped up the pace and, from a good attacking move, winger Joe Hartley stepped through the Harwell defence for try. Thompson missed the conversion. Hartley crossed again shortly afterwards in the opposite corner but was adjudged to have touched down on the dead ball line and the attempt was disallowed. Enjoying their best period of the match Oxford passed and supported well and winger Stephen Wawrzyniak scooted over in the corner for a try that gave Oxford a 17-13 lead. In the last five minutes of the match Harwell came again and, with Oxford defending desperately, did every but score. But it was Oxford's day at the final whistle.