Winning run continues

A surreal afternoon at a grey and overcast North Hinksey as Weston continued their move from the nether regions of the League with this fourth league win in a row, three of which have been on the road.

The pitch was heavy, the players weren’t allowed to warm up on it and a very few stalwarts overcame the temptation of Ireland vs. Italy to lend their support.

The Harlequins have always tried to play open flowing high speed rugby, reflecting the number of students that tend to arrive every season, and this had certainly worked on a sunny day back in September by the seaside when they had won handsomely, and for twenty minutes it looked as though they were going to complete a rare double.

They were a try up after only four minutes when right wing Nutt went in on the overlap in the corner, splendidly converted by Stewart and the same player escaped five minutes later for his second try. 12-0 after nine minutes although Weston fought back five minutes later when their forwards punched up the middle and created swift possession for the backs to put centre Reid in for a touchdown which Dickson improved.

The comeback was short lived as Maley ran untouched through the middle from fifty yards for an excellent individual third home try which Stewart improved and it hardly seemed to matter when the Oxford fly half missed a penalty sitter from in front of the posts. 19-7, with the home crowd already chortling about bonus points as half time approached.

It wasn’t to be as the visitors went on to score 28 unanswered points. Dickson kicked a penalty for the visitors on 39 minutes. Weston attacked again and with the last move of the half, centre Mackay broke through for a try near the posts which was again converted. 19-17 and a totally different complexion to the game.

The second half was all about Weston as the forwards took charge and the midfield defence tightened up considerably. Oxfords’ scrum wilted visibly. Their front row couldn’t compete. Their possession dried up and mistakes and infringements abounded under fierce pressure. Dickson made them pay for these indiscretions with five penalties, including a couple of monsters from over 50 metres, and completed a personal 25 point haul of immaculate goal kicking with a well struck drop goal on the final whistle.

Oxford had threatened the Weston line but once during the second half.

Weston team Burns, (Saunders(blood), Middlemiss, Reid, Mackay, Sprague (Arnold), Dickson, Conway, Price, Burge, Williams, Glen, Richards, Smith,Wright, Sparks ( c).

Replacement not used: Grimes