The 5th annual Town versus Gown match went ahead on Sunday 13th November and the event proved to be a successful one at the North Hinksey ground.

The games were locked at two a piece prior to kick off and the Oxford Cavaliers were out to prevent the hat-trick of wins for the University. Ex South Africa international Jamie Bloem got the game underway after a minutes silence and the Cavaliers intent was clear to see with some early drives from Chris Skelton, Paul Parlett and Brookes player Dave Nolan which led to a try from captain John Connaughton, converted by Shane Turner. The Cavaliers lead didn’t last too long though as the University hit back with three unanswered tries, the scores now 6-16 with half an hour played.

The Cavaliers then hit back with the try of the game coming from Johnno Da Silva. The ball was worked from right to left and found its way into Turner’s hands on the fifth tackle. Turner put in a neat chip for Johnno Da Silva to run onto and out sprint the University defence to gather and score under the posts. Turner converted the try and then quickly scored a try of his own taking the scores to 16-16 with 5 minutes of the half remaining. The University however took advantage of some poor handling from the Cavaliers and went in for a try of their own just before the half time whistle. The conversion was missed and the half time scores saw the University go in 16-22 up.

The try just before half time seemed to lift the University and they came out fired up and the use of the ball in the backs was proving to be the key. The game began to drift away from the Cavaliers as the visitors ran in three more unanswered tries to see the score stretch to 16-38 with a quarter of the game remaining. The Cavaliers were then lifted again by a huge effort from the forwards, the highlight being a massive hit up in the middle of the park by prop forward Stuart James. Connaughton managed to squeeze his way over for a second and another try from Mario Da Silva out wide gave the home side hope as they trailed 28-40 with ten minutes to go. Cavaliers were now playing with such confidence and Connaughton almost completed his hat-trick only for University captain Ben Calverley to put in a try saving tackle on his line. Stewart Hannah however went over after a smart run from dummy half but Turner failed to convert, the Cavaliers were now only 8 points behind.

The fitness and squad size however began to tell as the University, in the middle of their season and with a squad size of 30 lads, started to pile on the pressure. The forwards started to match up again in the middle of the park which laid a platform for the backs to continue to move the ball the way they had for long spells in the game. The visitors ran in two more tries giving a final score of 32-52 to the University which sees them take a 3-2 lead.

Ex Cavalier and Super Leagues Leeds Rhinos recent signing Darrell Griffin was in attendance at the game and was on hand to make the trophy presentation at the full time whistle. He also presented his signed England shirt to club captain John Connaughton to display at the clubhouse. Connaughton said ‘Today was a great day for rugby league in Oxford. To have two huge names in the game, from past and present, in attendance really raises the profile of the game in Oxford. All the lads from both sides really gave their all out there and in the end the University deserved to take home the trophy’. The game was watched by a crowd of over 100 and both clubs are now hoping to make this event played in memory of Jacqueline Scott bigger year on year.

Cavaliers Team and scorers

1. Mario Da Silva
2. Joel Holmes
3. Joe Devenney
4. Johno Da Silva
5. Rob Harker
6. Shane Turner
7. Tom Waterfield
8. Dave Nolan
9. John Connaughton
10. Stewart Able
11. Chris Skelton
12. Ollie Rees
13. Stewart Hannah

14. Mark Shaw
15. Paul Parlett
16. Tyson Blackstock
17. Stuart James
18. Adam Bryla

Trys :- Mario Da Silva,Johno Da Silva,Shane Turner,Stewart Hannah,John Connaughton x2.

Goal :- Shane Turner x4