Army take Iffley
After the disappointing result at Twickenham in December, the Blues? return to their customary surroundings at Iffley Road brought no luck against the Army.
Over the last couple of years the Army have been the strongest of the Services, and this year was to prove no exception as a well drilled side produced rugby of the highest quality. The fact that the Army side had been together for a three day training camp in preparation for the game, where as OURFC had only had one session since the Varsity Match was apparent early on as the Army pressurised the Oxford forwards in the rucks turning over a significant percentage of ball.
It was the Army who were first to put points on the board with two penalties from their fly-half, Rob Sweeney, the fist for hands in the ruck and the second for offside. Both teams seemed intent on playing free and expansive rugby, a continuation of the pattern set down by the Blues in Michaelmas Term. However, the Christmas break was evident as attempted passes out of the tackle resulted in a string of knock-ons and turnovers, gifting the Army a large percentage of ball and territory. Conceding a penalty in front of the posts in the 24th minute the Army were keen to press home their advantage as they kicked for the corner, and went over for the try from the line-out; prop Steve Trethaway emerging from with the ball. Despite missing the conversion the Army scored almost an identical try nine minutes later, this time the Number 8, Isoa Damudama, the scorer. However, the Blues managed to salvage something from the first half by scoring an outstanding try on the brink of half time. Following a break from the scrum half, Peter Jenkins, the move was carried into the Army twenty-two by stand in skipper Kevin Tkachuk. Stretching the Army defence across the pitch, the Blues worked an overlap on the right wing. Finding hooker Andy Dalgleish and lock Adam Harris in the centres, the forwards showed sufficient aplomb to guide the ball to John Bradshaw, leaving him to score in the right corner.
Having struggled to match the Army in the first half, the Blues produced an outstanding display of rugby in the second half to excite a large crowd. Picking up where they had left off in the first half Oxford narrowed the gap to 18-12 after Kevin Tkachuk scored a try from a rolling maul off a line out. There was renewed hope for the Blues when the Army had their left winger sent to the sin-bin in the 50th minute for a late tackle on Karelle Dixon. However, despite constant pressure Oxford failed to make the numerical advantage tell as the Army held the Blues out.
Considering the large amount of injuries within the Blues? squad, Oxford produced an excellent display of rugby, that was unfortunately marred by the ability to recycle the ball efficiently and regularly, enabling the Army to capitalise.
Photo: Brian Teng
29th Jan 2004