Nottingham 1sts 14/10 (h)
Lost 38 - 44
In the first game of the 2009/10 season, Oxford were edged out in a close encounter with Nottingham. The score was nip and tuck throughout, with both sides struggling to build momentum and the opposition always staying within a couple of scores. Most of the tries came as results of a lack of familiarity in both sides' defences, but Paul O'Connor crafted a couple of excellent individual tries from hooker, scoring five in total. Oxford didn't lack any fight, Tom Barker and Charlie Thompson defending particularly stoutly and Josh Halstead offering a lot of aggression in the tackle. The game was taken out of Oxford's reach at the end by Nottingham's strong left side, which scored most of the away team's points.
MOM - Paul O'Connor
20th January St Mary's H W 22-20
The Maroons travelled to St. Mary’s II’s looking to maintain the momentum gained from an excellent training camp in Portugal into varsity term. Facing a St. Mary’s side who had won every game so far in the league the Maroons had a squad of only fifteen including two debutants, though were bolstered by some more experienced first team players and the welcome return of club president Ben Calverley from long term injury. Oxford started the stronger and after an excellent kick chase forced an attacking set on St. Mary’s line, and opened the scoring with Danny Soos bursting over from close range. Oxford continued to dominate and moved the ball well making line breaks across the park which led to a well taken second try from Tom Barker. Towards the end of the half Oxford’s lack of numbers began to tell and as tiredness set in St. Mary’s hit back with the final play of the half to make the score 12 – 4 to the Maroons at the break.
A 60m break by debutant Ewan Short at the beginning of the second half and an offload from Jack McGinn allowed George Dean to dummy and score in the corner to extend Oxfords lead to 12 points. However Oxford were unable to pull clear and St.Mary’s, lifted by their sizeable interchange, took control of the game, starving Oxford of the ball and scoring four tries to take the lead. Digging deep the Maroons got themselves into the opposition half and from 20m out Danny Soos smashed through to score beside the posts and hand Oxford a 22-20 lead with ten minutes to play. Dogged defence, including two repeat sets in their own 20, allowed Oxford to cling on for a hard-earned and well-deserved victory. OURLFC Maroons 22 - St. Mary’s IIs 20.
Tries: Soos x 2, Barker, Dean. Goals: Dean x3.
MoM: Danny Soos.
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