WESTCOMBE RANGER
Allen Oxlade (6)
London 5th October 2011
University of Queensland began the UK leg of their tour at Iffley Road, Oxford, home of Oxford University Rugby Club, and the scene of the first sub 4 minute mile by Roger Bannister, on 6 May 1954, in front of a crowd of around 3,000 people.
The crowd last night was in the region of 800, and what a treat the two teams served up.
The game started at a frenetic pace with UQ in the ascendency in terms of territory and possession for the first 15 minutes only to be met by resolute defence from Oxford, who managed only the odd flurry into UQ territory to be met by an equally resolute defence. The hits going in were almost brutal in their intensity, resulting in plenty turnover ball for both teams, and counter-attacking rugby. A little over exuberance led to the Oxford no. 7 being carded. Slowly but surely UQ started to dominate, and after 20 minutes from quick ruck ball, no. 10 Tom Tuffley found himself staring at a gap the width of the Brisbane River and needed no invitation to waltz through untouched under the posts, with Will Tuffley adding the extras. Oxford, as one would expect came back strongly and had UQ on the back foot for 10 minutes or so, and from a lineout rolled forward for what seemed like an inevitable score only to be thwarted by a turnover one yard out. As the ball was worked upfield, UQ originally had the ball turned over but a poor pass from Oxford, allowed centre Ryan Gilliman to pounce by kicking the ball into the goal area and win the footrace with literally inches to spare.
A solitary penalty to Oxford closed the half at 12-3
The second half was nearly a repetition of the first with UQ always looking the more dangerous. Oxford had overlap opportunities on two or three occasions but the UQ defence was well organised and seemed to have just a little more pace to enable covering tackles to be made.
With a little niggle creeping in, the Oxford captain and No.8 was carded for cynically not retreating after an offside decision. The resulting penalty was converted by Will Tuffley, who added another soon afterwards. UQ also had one of theirs in the bin but that still did not stop them adding to their tally, with 5 minutes to go (after a lengthy hold up due to a serious looking injury to one of the Oxford players) A simple dummy and miss move parted the Oxford defence like the Red Sea, enabling Ryan Gilliman to score his second, under the posts, with Will Tuffley again converting.
A consolation try right on the whistle gave Oxford some reward for their efforts. Final score 25-8
All in all a very satisfying win for UQ who had to work hard all night in a very physical and intense encounter, but who generally looked more organised. That the pace did not let up from start to finish, was a testimony to the recovery powers of the UQ squad who 48 hours earlier were literally out on their feet after they had ALLEGEDLY been to church (or is that supposed to be The Church) .
....................................................................................................
Got to say it was a great game of rugby appreciated all who were there
Westcombe Ranger
University of Queensland began the UK leg of their tour at Iffley Road, Oxford, home of Oxford University Rugby Club, and the scene of the first sub 4 minute mile by Roger Bannister, on 6 May 1954, in front of a crowd of around 3,000 people.
The crowd last night was in the region of 800, and what a treat the two teams served up.
The game started at a frenetic pace with UQ in the ascendency in terms of territory and possession for the first 15 minutes only to be met by resolute defence from Oxford, who managed only the odd flurry into UQ territory to be met by an equally resolute defence. The hits going in were almost brutal in their intensity, resulting in plenty turnover ball for both teams, and counter-attacking rugby. A little over exuberance led to the Oxford no. 7 being carded. Slowly but surely UQ started to dominate, and after 20 minutes from quick ruck ball, no. 10 Tom Tuffley found himself staring at a gap the width of the Brisbane River and needed no invitation to waltz through untouched under the posts, with Will Tuffley adding the extras. Oxford, as one would expect came back strongly and had UQ on the back foot for 10 minutes or so, and from a lineout rolled forward for what seemed like an inevitable score only to be thwarted by a turnover one yard out. As the ball was worked upfield, UQ originally had the ball turned over but a poor pass from Oxford, allowed centre Ryan Gilliman to pounce by kicking the ball into the goal area and win the footrace with literally inches to spare.
A solitary penalty to Oxford closed the half at 12-3
The second half was nearly a repetition of the first with UQ always looking the more dangerous. Oxford had overlap opportunities on two or three occasions but the UQ defence was well organised and seemed to have just a little more pace to enable covering tackles to be made.
With a little niggle creeping in, the Oxford captain and No.8 was carded for cynically not retreating after an offside decision. The resulting penalty was converted by Will Tuffley, who added another soon afterwards. UQ also had one of theirs in the bin but that still did not stop them adding to their tally, with 5 minutes to go (after a lengthy hold up due to a serious looking injury to one of the Oxford players) A simple dummy and miss move parted the Oxford defence like the Red Sea, enabling Ryan Gilliman to score his second, under the posts, with Will Tuffley again converting.
A consolation try right on the whistle gave Oxford some reward for their efforts. Final score 25-8
All in all a very satisfying win for UQ who had to work hard all night in a very physical and intense encounter, but who generally looked more organised. That the pace did not let up from start to finish, was a testimony to the recovery powers of the UQ squad who 48 hours earlier were literally out on their feet after they had ALLEGEDLY been to church (or is that supposed to be The Church) .
....................................................................................................
Got to say it was a great game of rugby appreciated all who were there
Westcombe Ranger
