Ian Williams Memorial Match report

Match day 0 saw a large trial squad make the bus journey to Richmond for the 4th Ian Williams Memorial Match, to kick off the 25/26 Varsity campaign. 4 tough weeks of preseason had seen the boys put through their paces with strength and conditioning testing, new structures to be installed and bonds to be forged as the squad built toward the upcoming season. This preseason fixture capped off an important block of training, and the Blues were eager to set down a benchmark for the rest of the season, against a tough Richmond side with a smattering of Champ experience in their ranks. Conditions at the Richmond Athletic Ground 'RAG' were perfect for an entertaining game of rugby. On arriving at the ground, the squad wandered toward the high street in search of a flat white, before commencing in personal prep. The warm up saw a few more players on the pitch than the usual matchday squad, as over 40 players got prepped in search of precious minutes.

   The kick-off was lifted high in the air by Harry Bridgewater, as OURFC surged forward and attempted to pin the Richmond team back in their half. Several minutes of ferocious, back and forth rugby ensued, as Richmond attempted to exit, but the Blues would not be deterred. After a bit of juggling, debutant Sam Cunningham ran a kick back into the Richmond half. A sharp clearout from Bridgewater and Stu Brown created some space around the fringes for scrum half Jack Hamilton, who marked his inaugural game as Blues captain by going the 40 metres remaining to score the opening try of the day. The Blues had started at breakneck speed, looking to outwork their opposition.

            As the game progressed, territory evened up somewhat, with both teams enjoying periods of ascendancy. The kicking game became increasingly important, both teams wanting to play in the right areas of the pitch. Eventually, a sliced Richmond box kick into touch gave the Blues an opportunity to launch a strike play within the Richmond half. The lineout, marshalled by Stu Brown, functioned well, and slick hands from debutant Josh Hallett gave Zenden Rozebroek the chance to do what he does best, and create some momentum with a big carry in midfield. This was capitalised on by the effervescent Dexter Lynch, who slipped through a half gap to bring his team up to the 22. Slick hands found Wolfe Morn, who maintained the high tempo, as the Blues opted for speed over structure, stringing together phases from width to width, working to the left and back to the right to find Cunningham. Harry Pratt, who was rampaging all day, made a half break and offloaded to Brown. The forwards continued this interplay between themselves until, off a breakdown, Hallett fed Lynch, who threw a 30 metre pass to find Morn on the left wing, to walk in another try for the Blues. The benchmark was certainly set - a vastly entertaining try, but also, hopefully, an indicator of the sort of rugby the Blues would like to play this season.

            Richmond, having been rocked by these two early tries, managed to steady themselves and regain a foothold in the game. Some indiscipline led to a lineout in OURFC territory, and smart shoulder ball put the Richmond right winger, Chidera Obonna under the posts. A successful conversion made it 10-7. The back and forth nature of the game resumed from the next kick-off, territory proving ever valuable and sought after, and the kicking game again taking precedence. It was off an attempt to transfer pressure that the next blood came. Oxford, in their own half, looked for all the world to be setting up a box kick scenario, when Hamilton fizzed a ball across the face of the forwards to Cunningham, who exploded down the right wing. Blue shirts poured through the holes created, as Cunningham returned the favour to his captain, who lifted the ball to Lynch on his inside, to go over for his first try in a Dark Blue shirt.

            However, it would be Richmond who would have the last say in the first half. An extended period of front foot ball saw some good Dark Blue defence, but it proved a few too many phases, as a multi layered attack opened up a hole for the Richmond fly half to go over the whitewash, converting his own try to make the score 15-14 at half time. The second half started at a similarly rapid pace, the ball going end to end in a matter of minutes, but neither team able to capitalise. A break came with a jack turnover by Stu Brown, as the Blues kicked to the corner. After the resulting maul was halted by the Richmond pack, Hamilton played infield for two phases, resulting in a strong carry by Aaron Henry, Blue #1225, returning for another season’s rugby. The call then came from the blind side, and a sharp ball from Lynch put Morn across the line for his second of the day. As the half wore on, substitutions were made on both sides, as many players staked their claim for a spot in the first fixture of the term, against Eastern Suburbs. The blues continued to play an expansive brand of rugby, but Richmond soon opened up their own width-to-width attack, stringing together many phases, working their way up to the Oxford 5 metre line, where they finally bustled over.

The theme of the game thus far, the back and forth nature, and constant territory battle, remained as such for the final 20 minutes, the difference being that Richmond managed to convert more of their territory into points, scoring another, unconverted try through a sharp line from their centre, and kicking a penalty with the last play of the game. Final score, Blues 20, Richmond 29. For OURFC, this remained a very positive end to preseason, setting the standard to be overcome for the rest of the season. Similarly, it was a testament to the exceptional squad depth developed over preseason, with 12 players making their club debuts, and all putting their name forward for squad selection in the coming weeks. It was also a fantastic day to remember the life of Blue #1188, Ian Williams, who tragically lost his life at age 27, due to a cardiac abnormality. A stalwart OURFC and Richmond man, the rugby on display was a fitting testament to a man whose rugby was his driving passion, and is sorely missed by all. The Ian Williams Foundation aims to increase the availability of cardiac screening within rugby, to destigmatise mental health issues within the sport, and to enable those of all backgrounds to participate in the sport loved by Ian. Thanks to Richmond and all at the RAG for a fantastic game and hospitality after the event, where the team stayed to watch the World Cup final and present the debutants with their club ties. All eyes for the Blues now turn to Thursday 9th October, when the Eastern Suburbs roll into town, for what promises to be a hot encounter at Iffley Road. Tickets are on sale now via our website or via Fixr - don’t miss out on what promises to be a thrilling season opener!

Trylights from the Ian Williams Memorial Match: