The Oxford Student - Official Student Newspaper

Oxford Bite the Bullet

A CLEARLY PSYCHED UP Oxford Cavaliers took the spoils and the South Central divisional crown on Sunday afternoon at the Westminster Institute, after blitzing the Bristol Bullets in the first quarter and then hanging on for victory. The Cavaliers scored with their opening possession, brutally driving Bristol back 70 yards and using a 3 yard sweep to the right to score through their international fullback, John Barclay. The Oxford line was remarkably tight in the opening quarter, giving the Bullets absolutely no leeway, and Simon Jolly capitalised on a loose pass, racing a breathless 65 yard interception return all the way to the Bristol endzone. Having missed the opening field goal, Johnny Round made no mistake second time around, and kicked the extra point to move Oxford into a 13-0 lead. Having taken account of Bristol's formidable front line, the Cavaliers game plan consisted of power running from the shotgun, with Kingsley Ejiogu having an outstanding game, making the yards from runningback. This ploy successfully stretched the Bristol line to breaking point in the first quarter, towards the end of which Hrvoje Cindric made a crucial fumble recovery providing the Cavaliers offence with ample opportunity to exert concerted pressure on the bullets and to increase their lead even further. Sure enough, within four plays a sharp pass out left from Charlie Greenbacker at Quarterback found Luke Sikkema at open receiver, and Oxford had their third touchdown. Another successful kick-off from Round meant they stormed into a 20-0 lead by the end of the quarter....