Oaks Vs Ossett

Saturday saw Ossett travel to Sheffield to face an Oaks side who have historically been strong in the set piece and offered themselves as strong runners off the 9. Coach Stuart was in authoritarian mood, laying down his expectations and demanding a physical yet controlled performance from his men. Time to step up, time to play with our heads up.

Ossett started brightly, showing control and attacking intent. Buckley and Drury controlled the game, putting runners where they wanted them whilst spotting gaps to capitalise on. Fisher was outstanding in the first half, popping up out wide as well as off the ruck, flourishing in his new position of full back. He showed Stuart, Karadzic and North exactly what he can do. Spurr ran hard starting wider from the ruck and running off the 10. The tries came early in the first half and Ossett scored three in quick succession. 19-0.

We continued to be patient, building phases and securing quick ball, waiting for the gaps to open up. When they did, we weren’t as clinical as we can be. An area for development perhaps. Half time came and Ossett were satisfied with their lead as the conditions were against them.

Ten minutes into the second half and Ossett struggled to get going. Stuart returned to the field after his 5 minute rest to dominate the set piece, highlighting his importance to the side. Debutant Tom Rogers (the younger, better looking brother of our prop Joe) was introduced in the centres. This seemed to spark things into life. Ossett showed control and attacked in the right areas. Forgive me, but it is hard to recall all the tries from the game. Ossett ran out 60-0 winners. A few memorable moments from the game were a
Karadzic true truffle shuffle that left the opponents mesmerised as he danced under the posts. Although this was in a 10 minute cameo. Sam Wilkinson nearly scored the greatest individual try I have seen sprinting the full length of the pitch whilst weaving in and out of the Oaks players only to be tackled 1 metre short of the line. It has to be said, his tackling was superb yet again in loose. Spurr came off with concussion only to ask the same 5 questions on loop. He didn’t believe he’d scored two tries himself!

Back to winning ways. But it was the manner of the performance that was pleasing. We were controlled in attack, we played with our heads up. We were aggressive and ruthless. And we looked like we enjoyed it! It was great to hear the old boys getting excited. If only the same could be said about poor Ben Jennings, who has finally lost his title in the showers. He was left visibly shaken.

Try scorers
Fisher,
Spurr 2
Hemingway
Jk
JBW
Tom
Jennings 2
North

Man of the match:
Awarded by Oaks- Drury