Oxford v Drifter result

15April 2008

Oxford 5, Drifters 26 In the last home game of the season Oxford needed to beat Drifters, poised just below them in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon League table, to maintain their third place position but failed to do so and lost 5-23. Oxford's cause was not helped by the loss of the younger element of the squad due to a Colts Sevens Tournament on Sunday, two of whom called off on the morning of the match. This led to the disruption of late changes and unfamiliar field positions with the inevitable consequences. With a stiff breeze at their backs Oxford started well and took an early lead when Tim KNAPP touched after a catch and drive at a five metre line out, but Tom OLLEY missed the conversion. Drifters gradually got the measure of the home side and put Oxford under sustained pressure. To their credit, Oxford's defence held out for long periods but a clever switch pass in the centre just before half time saw Drifters with a try under the posts and the conversion followed. Oxford restarted the second period how they finished the first, in defence. When they did get the ball they found Drifters defence in good form and could make little headway down field. After conceding another try Oxford did have a 'purple patch' for ten minutes when they threatened Drifters line but could not find a way through and fell back again to concede two more tries to lose 5-26 and slip to overall fourth place in the table.

Richard Tyrrell