Leadbitter rugby academy launch

20th February 2008

Here's a rugby result from the match played at the Leadbitter Oxford Rugby Academy launch at the Southern Bypass ground on Wednesday evening, 20th February 2008:

Leadbitter Oxford Rugby Academy 24, Banbury Colts 13   In front of a good crowd, which included a number of Leadbitter representatives, Oxford Rugby got their Academy team off to a good start when they beat Banbury Colts 24-13 under the Southern Bypass floodlights last night.

Not surprisingly it was Banbury that looked strong in the opening period as the Oxford players, in their first match together, got to know each other and, from a line out offence the visitors took the lead with a penalty goal. But Oxford gradually got into the game and began to show some good individual touches which brought some pressure on the Banbury goal line and, from a quickly taken tap penalty, Nick Gardner dived over the line from close in for a try converted by Paul Hipwell. Almost immediately Banbury replied with a penalty goal. Oxford's pack showed some power in the tight scrums to push the Banbury players back, creating enough momentum to force a scrum on the five metre line, from which Gardner burst from the base of the scrum to score his second try.

The conversion failed but Oxford held a 12-6 half time lead. Oxford's Academy rang the changes during the break and went straight onto the offensive at the restart with the backs forcing an opening for the centre to increase the lead with a good try. Hipwell again converted. This time Banbury stepped up and caused confusion in Oxford's defence with a high kick to the corner where the two covering Oxford players collided leaving the ball for a Banbury player to collect for an easy try which was well converted. But Oxford came again for the final period and, after a series of forward drives, Hipwell crossed for a final try and the Oxford Academy had recorded an historic win, 24-13.

If the enthusiasm of the players on display in this match is anything to go by, then the future of Oxford Rugby is bright! Richard Tyrrell