Magnificent Seven!
by James Boardman. OXFORD LAST WEEK turned in another determined performance to seal a confidence-boosting 21 points to 8 victory against Worcester. A seventh straight victory, it completed their best start to the season in thirty years.
Despite having six players unavailable for selection through injury, Oxford were able to field a team capable of competing with the Division One leaders in every area of the pitch.
With difficult matches against the likes of Harlequins, Durham and the small matter of the Varsity match at Twickenham fast approaching, Blues coach Steve Hill was able to take the opportunity afforded to him to try out different players. The team responded admirably displaying determination, patience and no small amount of skill in defeating a physical and talented Worcester team.
The match began with Worcester maintaining early possession and pressure but the Oxford players showed superb commitment to repel wave upon wave of Worcester attacks. The home side began to find their feet and spearheaded by excellent work from Simon Miall and Luke Sherriff, defence was gradually turned into attack.
However it was Worcester who struck first. On 34 minutes, physical strength and sharp passing put Dave Merlin into the corner for the visitors to break the deadlock. Oxford refused to be affected by conceding so close to half-time and they hit back immediately. Top quality passing set up Ben Pennington to force his way over. Nick Edwards clinically dispatched the conversion to put the Blues in the driving seat.
Worcester retook the lead by a single point through a penalty early in the second half but Oxford retained their composure and continued to battle the visitors for every ball. As is so often the case, it was an individual piece of brilliance that set the game alight.
Deep into the second half, Brett Hopcroft superbly intercepted a loose Worcester pass and sprinted the length of the field to gleefully restore Oxford's lead. The team never looked back and they built on their advantage in a final ten minutes that displayed both skill and excellent levels of fitness.
On 76 minutes Danielli rounded off an admirable team performance when he combined well with captain Jamie Weston to burst through the Worcester defence for an excellent try.
Former England and British Lions coach, Geoff Cooke, who was present in his capacity as Director of Rugby at Worcester, was more than happy to acknowledge the skill of the Oxford team. Cooke praised the Blues for their show saying that Oxford's win was "fully deserved".
Head Coach, Steve Hill, too was well satisfied with the performance singling out Nick Edwards, Simon Miall and Luke Sherriff for particular praise and stating that "patience was the key to our victory."
Amongst the crowd at Iffley Road were a small army of scouts dispatched from Cambridge to view the Blues ahead of the Twickenham clash and what they saw will undoubtedly have concerned them greatly. They witnessed a very fit Oxford team display grit, determination and skill in continuing their impressive start to the season.
9th Nov 2000