Oxford University Match
Tuesday 2nd March 2010

Result: Oxford University 40, Penguins 26

Penguin had a strong squad, managed by Ben Dormer, to play Oxford University at Iffley Road, for the University’s in the 30th year of this annual fixture. The Penguin supporters included Life-President, Alan Wright, newly-appointed President, Richard Bennett, and Chairman, Tom Wacker.

The game kicked off at 7:15 pm in dry condition with some wind, but no rain, although the pitch was showing signs of previous weeks’ heavy rain

The Penguins included Wasps’ former rugby league international, Lee Smith at full back, in a strong line-up. By chance, starting Penguin blindside Stu Riding had some transport difficulties, so Bill Calcraft, the 1987 Oxford Captain, was on hand to pull on the number 6 jersey and start the match. Bill put ina comendable 20 minutes, and was renuited with the Iffley turf after some 20 years!

As they had against the Army previous week, the Dark Blues got off to a horrible start, conceding a counter-attack try to wing Rhys Crane inside a minute, Smith converting. But Oxford soon responded with some quick hands giving lock Chris Davies the platform to sprint in. Fly half Charlie Marr converted.

Full back Will Browne could only enter the fray as an 18th-minute replacement after having the train he planned to catch from Birmingham cancelled.

Soon afterwards, Oxford’s other second row, Dan Guinness, dummied his way through from a close-range ruck, Marr converting.

On 33 minutes, Japanese flanker Tosa Makoto showed great strength to power over on the left and Marr again converted.

Lee Smith kept things interesting by jinking through a half gap to score out wide for the Penguins.

The Dark Blues began the second half with a bang – Browne scoring within a minute of the restart and Marr converting expertly. This time it was the Penguins turn to hit back quickly, scrum half Harry Peck going over from a line-out move and replacement Eoghan Hickie converting. Captain and scrum half Nick Haydon squeezed between a ruck and the corner flag for Oxford’s fifth try on 53 minutes.

It took until the 78th-minute for another score when Oxford’s forward effort was rewarded with a catch-and-drive try for prop Will Kane, converted by Marr.

In the final play, Rhys Crane sped through for his second try and converted it with a drop goal.

Leaving the University winners by 40 points (6 tries, 5 Conversions) to Penguins 26 points (4 tries, 3 conversions), in an entertaining game with firm defence countering attacking rugby, from both sides.

Man of the match – Oxford’s No 7 Tosa Makoto.

Team

Penguins: 15 Lee Smith (London Wasps), 14 Adam Bishop (Loughborough U), 13 Richard Coskie (Manchester U), 12 Will East (London Wasps), 11 Rhys Crane (Loughborough U),10 Howard Graham (NEC Harlequins – Captain), 9 Harry Peck (Newcastle Falcons), 8 Hugo Ellis (London Wasps), 7 Rob Sawtrick (Manchester U), 6 Bill Calcraft (Penguins) / Stu Riding (Barking), 5 Tom Holloway (Rugby Lions), 4 Peter Elder (London Wasps), 3 David Morgan (Cardiff HSOB), 2 Matt Price (Rugby Lions), 1 James Hadfield (Henley Hawks)

Substitutes – Arthur Ellis (London Wasps), Sam Viggars (Rugby Lions), Tom Harris (Rugby Lions), Peter Glackin (Rugby Lions), Jack Wallace (London Wasps), Eoghan Hickie (London Wasps), Dan Fraser (NEC Harlequins)