Seb Fitz the bill as Bath sink in the rain
THE MEN'S RUGBY Blues built on last week's victory over Bedford by routing Bath 34-8 at a wet Iffley Road on Tuesday.
A crowd of almost 1,000 braved the elements to watch Oxford secure a Seb Fitz-Gerald inspired success against a Bath side featuring five first-teamers.
But former St.Catz graduate Phil de Glanville was forced to pull out of the Bath line-up at the last minute having picked up a knock.
The visitors were still in the match at half-time, trailing 16-8. However, superb defending layed the foundations of an inspired second-half Blues performance, with centres Werner Van Pittius and Nick Marsh forming a formidable partnership.
Van Pittius also added to the points with a well-taken drop goal, and two tries in the final 15 minutes put the result beyond doubt
The impressive display featured two tries from outside-half Seb Fitz-Gerald, who also scored with two conversions and four penalties.
But the highlight of the match was a brilliant individual try by full-back Will Rubie. Rubie ran the length of the touch-line from his own 22, racing outside of the Bath backs before diving over the line.
Coach Steve Hill was delighted with the final result:
"It was a really pleasing performance, especially considering that was our first win over Bath in my five years as coach," he said.
"That makes it three wins out of three at home this season, and I was impressed by our outstanding defending, because Bath were very quick out wide.
"We played some good accurate rugby this evening, despite the slippery surface, and kept it tight throughout," he added.
Hill has two injury worries ahead of next Wednesday's clash with Wasps, again at Iffley Road.
Prop Ray Lehner hurt his shoulder, and South African back-row star Justin Hendriksz also faces a fight to be fit after sustaining a groin injury.
Undergraduates can now be admitted free of charge to Blues matches at Iffley Road.
12th Oct 2000