It was a mild afternoon that greeted the mighty Moose XV and supPorters who made the trip up to Oxford to play an equally mild Oxford mixed-colleges team. Before the game began the supPorters had claimed the first victory with a good number of the boys making the trip, while Oxford had merely one neutral fan who wasn’t entirely sure who was playing. However the hospitality of Oxford did not go unnoticed, as they had provided lovely arm-chairs from which to view and port. Gratton even brought some chalices to drink with, describing them so eloquently as “silver electroplated tin cups”. The game started much in the Moose’s favour and aside from some calls from the referee, who appeared throughout the match to be either blind or a simpleton, the game looked to be one for the taking. The early pressure told and Branchy went over for the first try for the Moose. This along with two penalties from Jewbank made up the points scored for us during the first half. The opposition kicker was useless throughout and looked more like a prop attempting kicks as a joke than a regular flyhalf. However despite this Oxford did manage to score two fairly quick tries, largely due to some gaping holes in midfield exploited by some direct running. Half time score 11-10 to the Moose. Half time was only eventful due to the appearance of the DoW out of nowhere. He sauntered over clearly still drunk from the night before and set about porting and smoking himself to sleep pitch side. The second half brought a different test but early on the Drill went over in the corner prompting great celebration. Unfortunately Oxford scored pretty soon after through another hole exploited out wide. Then Oxford scored again via a black cannonball aimed at Bugs (a hit which he’s still feeling), the chaps were beginning to tire at this point and some intensity went amiss. However, the Moose fought back this time and another wonderful lineout led to a storming try from Wandy, who incidentally threw great darts all game. But this was to no avail as Oxford completed the scoring to finish the game 29-25. Phil the Drill did have an opportunity in the final play but fumbled the ball and so the game was lost. However one positive to be taken was the introduction of three freshers into the game who all performed well and have staked a claim for shirts. All in all not a bad performance from the Moose, it was just fitness and a drop in intensity that lost us the game.

Final score 29-25, Moose scorers: Freddie Ewbank (pens, conv.), Philip Harper, Thomas Branch and Thomas Wand.

ILTM.