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First Team - Report
Date: Saturday 16th June 2012 - Kick Off: 14:30
Rugby League Conference West
| Swindon St George | 24 | vs | 40 | Cavaliers |
Briggs & McEneny Lead Oxford to Derby Win
Oxford grab a much needed win in Round 4 with an impressive performance against derby rivals Swindon.
Despite giving debuts to six new players, Oxford Cavaliers bounced back from two narrow defeats with an away win in the Oxford v Swindon Rugby League derby at Greenbridge Road.
On a day which saw strong winds play havoc with both teams’ kicking games, the Cavaliers had to dig deep for a victory they very nearly let slip again. The opening quarter saw Oxford's Jack Briggs score the first try. Briggs, playing at stand off for the first time this season revelled in his new role, finding open space and breaking the Swindon line time and time again.
But Swindon’s defence held strong and it wasn’t long before Oxford, despite dominating, found themselves behind. A knock on in front of their own posts gave St George the initiative and captain Mike Thompson was quick to take advantage with an impressive score that rattled the Cavaliers. Swindon's Liam Moody was then denied try out wide on the left, tackled into touch just before he dotted down by a committed Matt Beckley.
Swindon though continued to apply the pressure, and Oxford saw the wind take the ball dead twice from the restart, handing possession straight back to their opponents. And with strong running from Ben Bridson setting up another score for Richard White, and a conversion from James Slatter, the hosts now led 10-6. The teams went on to exchange scores in what was an increasingly scrappy first half, with Bridson crossing himself, and Cavaliers’ impressive young debutant Ben Sydenham amongst the Oxford scorers.
Cavaliers led 24-20 going into the second half and returned in devastating mood, scoring three unanswered tries to to go 40-20 clear, with a further try for Briggs and a brace from in-form loose forward, Joe McEneny. Swindon by contrast had lost inspirational skipper Mike Thompson to a serious shoulder injury that looks to have ended his season. And though St George rallied late on with a great try from Mike Keeley, it was too little too late for the home side.
Oxford's Ian Allison said; “Our first half performance wasn’t up to scratch, but we had a few new guys out there today and took some time to get going. For us to come to Swindon and get the result in difficult conditions is very pleasing.”
Swindon’s Milo Hartley said; “We didn't do the simple things well and stupid penalties cost us... We'll miss ‘Tommo’ but if we work well as a team we can get back to winning ways.”
Cavaliers Squad: Ali Fitzsimmons, Toby James, Matt Fiander, Gerrard Borthwick, Craig Plant, Jack Briggs, Stewart Hannah, James Smith, Ben Sydenham, Craig Boyce, Ben Lee, Matt Beckley, Joe McEneny, Ed Fiander, James Hunter.
On a day which saw strong winds play havoc with both teams’ kicking games, the Cavaliers had to dig deep for a victory they very nearly let slip again. The opening quarter saw Oxford's Jack Briggs score the first try. Briggs, playing at stand off for the first time this season revelled in his new role, finding open space and breaking the Swindon line time and time again.
But Swindon’s defence held strong and it wasn’t long before Oxford, despite dominating, found themselves behind. A knock on in front of their own posts gave St George the initiative and captain Mike Thompson was quick to take advantage with an impressive score that rattled the Cavaliers. Swindon's Liam Moody was then denied try out wide on the left, tackled into touch just before he dotted down by a committed Matt Beckley.
Swindon though continued to apply the pressure, and Oxford saw the wind take the ball dead twice from the restart, handing possession straight back to their opponents. And with strong running from Ben Bridson setting up another score for Richard White, and a conversion from James Slatter, the hosts now led 10-6. The teams went on to exchange scores in what was an increasingly scrappy first half, with Bridson crossing himself, and Cavaliers’ impressive young debutant Ben Sydenham amongst the Oxford scorers.
Cavaliers led 24-20 going into the second half and returned in devastating mood, scoring three unanswered tries to to go 40-20 clear, with a further try for Briggs and a brace from in-form loose forward, Joe McEneny. Swindon by contrast had lost inspirational skipper Mike Thompson to a serious shoulder injury that looks to have ended his season. And though St George rallied late on with a great try from Mike Keeley, it was too little too late for the home side.
Oxford's Ian Allison said; “Our first half performance wasn’t up to scratch, but we had a few new guys out there today and took some time to get going. For us to come to Swindon and get the result in difficult conditions is very pleasing.”
Swindon’s Milo Hartley said; “We didn't do the simple things well and stupid penalties cost us... We'll miss ‘Tommo’ but if we work well as a team we can get back to winning ways.”
Cavaliers Squad: Ali Fitzsimmons, Toby James, Matt Fiander, Gerrard Borthwick, Craig Plant, Jack Briggs, Stewart Hannah, James Smith, Ben Sydenham, Craig Boyce, Ben Lee, Matt Beckley, Joe McEneny, Ed Fiander, James Hunter.
Player Of The Match
Not Selected
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