MATCH REPORT WOMEN*S BLUES V UWE
Last week saw the Women’s Blues face the University of West England for the second time during this season’s BUCS league, and once again, the Blues came out on top.
The first half presented a tough challenge from UWE, with tensions high and a close score line. Early in the game, ex-captain Lauren Webb scored an impressive first try for Oxford, minutes before the UWE fullback broke the blue line of defence and scored between the posts. With the UWE try converted, the score became an intense 5-7. As the clock went on, the Blues continued to push up the field, with the Blues scrum-half Alex Wilkinson (Wilko) scoring a pick and go from the 5m line. Zed Nott soon followed in her footsteps, scoring an excellent try that was converted by fly-half Stella Farmer. Soon after, UWE breaks the line on the wing, scoring 3 tries in the first half, all converted. Minutes before the half-time whistle, Lilla Berry received an excellent pass from Wilko, running another try on the wing to bring the score to a close 22 – 21 to the Blues.
The second half was a different game. Oxford returned to the pitch even more determined, with their defensive line driving back the UWE attack, forcing the red shirts into touch on several occasions. Whilst UWE were struggling to score, Webb performed an impressive hat-trick, touching down two more tries in the second half, both converted by Farmer. As the 80th minute approached, Blues number 11 Clodagh Holmes made a powerful break on the far wing. As the Blues refused to concede in the second half, the full-time score amounted to a remarkable 41 – 21 to Oxford.
POTM goes to our no.7 Caity Watson for her outstanding work ethic and brilliant defence, forcing errors from the opposition and creating opportunities for turnovers. By Lilla Berry
Photo credit: Steve Karpa
This past Wednesday night, the University of Oxford Blues took on the Crayshaw’s XV and won by a score of 26-21.
The conditions of Oxford’s second game of the season mirrored the week prior: cold, rainy, muddy. Noticeably, the Boys in Blue were donning the clean shave of No Shave November. George Fowler, particularly known for his slick Jack Sparrow-like beard, had a fresh baby face gleam. (It is said that as swimmers shave their bodies to reduce drag in a swimming pool, Fowler’s new look propelled him to several impressive line breaks.)
Just after the kick-off, Paddy Mayhew breaks two tackles and generates a 30-meter line break in his first start playing full back. He then swings the rock to Tom Mewes, who steps inside from near the touch line, breaking over the midline. A turnover occurs. Crayshaws drive the ball near the Oxford goal line, earning an advantage call, but are held back by some imposing scramble defence. The Crayshaws 10 slots in the first points of the game. Right off the next kick off, a penalty to Oxford results in a penalty kick. The score is now 3-3 but quickly shifts to 3-9 in favor of the Crayshaws after some sloppy penalties by the Blues. Oxford in response has some displays of rugby magic with Tom Mewes’ dancing feet that God gave him and Jack Glover winning a turnover in Oxford territory. Soon, the creative plays lead to an Oxford try with Wyllie receiving a short pass off a maul and punching the ball in. Score becomes 11-9 to Oxford. Excited by the recent turn of the score, Edward Blake kicks the ball from a fumbled Crayshaw’s line out. Oxford slot in another penalty to make the score 14-9 at the end of half.
Matt Cook (the MUNCH) comes in at 43 minutes bringing a great lineout presence off the bench. Zenden Rozenbroek wins a penalty in Oxford 22, and Oxford reveres a difficult defense effort into points on the board with Scoble dotting it down. The score was 19-9. Frustrated with the recent calls, Crayshaws players display some better acting skills than the HBO contract holder Vasco Faria, who replaces Jack Hampilton at 50 minutes of play. Crayshaws then scored a try from a grubber off a maul down the 15 channel. Crayshaws winger gathers and offloads inside to their 8-man. Scoble scores again off a maul to make the score 26-14, and two games into the season, Scoble is now the highest scorer on the team with three tries. Take some notes, outside backs. At 81 minutes, Crayshaw’s score off some pick and go’s, bringing the final score of the game 26-21 in favour of Oxford. By Griffin Gudaitis
Photo Credit: Steve Karpa
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