Oxford University Match
2013

Result: Oxford University 17 Penguin International XV 24

The Penguins knew they were in for a tough evening when they visited Iffley Road to take on the Oxford University side that were unbeaten in 2013 having already defeated the Army, the Navy and Crawshays. On a cold, dry evening the intensity of the physical encounters on the field helped warm all those watching from the stands. This match was a real battle and both sides played with tremendous ambition and physicality. Penguins opened the scoring after only two minutes when a line break and offload by fly half Scott Hadden allowed prop Kerry O’Sullivan to score under the posts. Hadden added the conversion. The university pack proved a real handful and from a lineout ten metres out drove over to allow prop Jon Direen to score with Charlie Marr adding the conversion. Ill-discipline by the students began to affect their performance and fly-half Charlie Marr was sent to the bin when he pulled back flanker Will Brock who was close to scoring. A penalty try resulted with Hadden converting. The home side were then briefly down to thirteen men when flanker James Harris was also sent to the bin this time for repeated infringements at the breakdown.

Half time – Oxford University 7 – 14 Penguin International XV

Importantly the first score of the second half came from the Penguins when after excellent inter play lock Dan Lloyd Jones went over to score. This was followed by Blues skipper John Carter being the third Oxford player to be sent to the bin however the students responded well; running from deep and keeping the ball alive out of contact created tries for wingers Sean Morris and Henry Lamont. Fly half Marr missed both conversions allowing the visitors to keep a two point lead going into the last five minutes. In the true tradition of the Penguins, from a lineout in their own 22m area, the backs attacked and created space for thundering wing Joe Ajuwa to break the gain line and crash past two defenders. The cover tacklers caught him on the university 22m line but excellent re-cycling and a fine pass by scrum half Anthony Cope saw captain Martin Nutt scoot over in the corner to secure victory.

The Teams

Oxford University

Lewis Anderson, John William Darby, Jon Direen, Michael Rickner, Tom Reeson-Price, Fraser Heathcote, James Harris, John Carter, Samson Egerton, Charlie Marr, Sean Morris, Marcus Alexander Neil, Oscar Vallance, Henry Lamont, Will Boardman

Subs: John Nickerson, Jack Calvert, Gus Jones, Matthew Shorthose, Will Dace, Chris O'Halloran, Ben Symington, Philip Bell

Penguin International XV

Photos