Oxen come close second to RAF Vultures

On arriving in their dribs and drabs the Oxen were met with the sight of 30 young (ish), fit, physical RAF players going through a seemingly unending warm up. The team were supported by a phalanx of coaches, physios and management. It was evident that the RAF Vultures were very much out for revenge and were taking the game extremely seriously. Not to be outdone and very much in keeping with the occasion Group Captain Warner had devised a new warm up seemingly based on an intricate fly by pattern of the Red Arrows so it was with some relief that the team were called over by the referee for his pre-match chat before too many fell over through dizziness.

The game started at a frantic pace with every tackle and breakdown contested furiously and with great physicality. These confrontations were to continue throughout the game and it’s a great testament to the Oxen’s indomitable team spirit and togetherness that they were still battling at the final whistle to snatch victory. The Vultures had a well oiled set lineout and mounted a series of attacks with many big runners eager for work off 1st and 2nd phase. They were met with some brutal defence from every corner but especially in midfield where Mountford’s tackle count on debut was rising faster than a vertical take off Harrier jump jet. Typhoon Trevor found himself in the unusual position in the Oxen of being the elder statesman in midfield having to keep an avuncular eye on his junior partners. Group Captain Warner playing his 3rd position in three games was also putting himself about with his fellow backrow comrades Pearson and Fincken showing well in early forays.

There was though one man who stood out in the first half…the behemoth himself…Ed Rixon. Showing that no end of gym work, weight lifting and supplements is any match for natural brute strength and technique time and again Rixon stole the ball like taking candy from a baby. Be it at breakdown or an opposing driving maul the Bear seemed to turn the ball over at will which enabled the Oxen to mount dangerous counter attacks or clear their lines. Superb hands were on display from a couple of these turnovers where Chinnor went very close to scoring through W E Johns Sellars and Nick Stainton after good work from Pearson, Fincken, Deeley and Fats. Rixon showing he’s not just brawn illustrated his cerebral side by calling a non engaged lineout defence to gain a penalty from the driving maul. Unfortunately the referee was not quite on the same wavelength and it took some discussion before the Ref saw the error of his ways and finally awarded Chinnor the penalty.

However somewhat against the run of play the Vultures took the lead through a long range sortee showing they had an abundance of pace out wide. From a lineout and hit up a kick and chase saw their 11 out sprint past the cover to score from 80 metres. This reiterated to the Oxen they had to be on their mettle and the importance of not giving away possession cheaply.

True to type the Oxen came storming back in the last few minutes of the half and a chip and chase from Mountford coupled with some good interplay with Bomber Harris and Cosh put Fats away deep in the opposing 22. It looked like a try was on the cards but Fats was shot down by a high tackle…Penalty try shouted the crowd but the ref was not for turning and only a penalty was awarded. GC Warner took the rather prosaic decision to kick for goal which Harding slotted with aplomb. Half time 3-7.

If anything the second half started at even greater pace and intensity. Chinnor were holding their own as the Vultures looked to move through the gears and go for the kill. Special mention to the front row of Bomber Harris, Cosh and Roger who showed skill, technique and experience to ward off a much larger and very physical front row. After a series of attacks the Vultures moved the ball wide and finally outflanked the defence to go 14-3 up.

At Half time GC Warner had delegated responsibility for substitution policy to Biggles Bridges, a decision that many feared the power hungry Bridges would overly relish. Indeed in a move of such Machiavellian brilliance he promptly removed Warner from the action with his first decision. This cunning would have no doubt been met with much appreciation in the Ministry of Defence where the scheming new Minister Gavin Williamson will be looking to add the move to his playbook. Rumours abound that Bridges had a pet Tarantula on the top of his Christmas wish list.

The game was now looking like it would ebb away from Chinnor as the younger, fitter team looked to take a stranglehold. Another break saw the Vultures seemingly a certainty to score their 3rd try when at the line and out of the glooming in the far corner a stealth like Powell launched a last ditch tackle as the winger dived to score. It was not completely clear whether the tackle was slightly high but it was evident that a lower dive would have enabled the winger to avoid the clothes line. A bit of a melee ensued as some of the Vultures took umbrage but the peacemakers Pearson and Fincken reasoned with them and a penalty was reversed for retaliation.

This seemed to be a turning point as the Oxen from seemingly nowhere raised themselves from the canvass and showed off their unquenchable battling qualities. Tim Wright now entered the fray and showed off such pace, power and skill that some observers were overheard stating they hadn’t witnessed that from him for at least 20 years. In a cameo performance of such bravura he also put to bed any out dated thinking that a three course lunch and five pints of Guinness is not a good way to prepare for a match of such intensity. From a searing break through the middle Wright was away and in wide open space, fearing a nose bleed he looked for support and managed to find Mountford who was stopped inches out. Chinnor mounted wave after wave of close attacks but the Vultures defence was strong. Eventually after superb ball retention Fats bundled over in the corner. 8-14.

Far from treating this as a consolation Chinnor came storming back again. Stainton countered from a deep kick and threw a crowd dummy of such outrageous proportions the spectators cooed in disbelieve. The opposing winger was completely bamboozled and staggered away looking like he’d been a lunch companion of Tim Wright’s. Stainton continued on his Duckhamesque run ( the 1970s blond wig is on order ) and eventually linked with the forwards. Another wave of superb attacks and some highly effective pick and drives around the fringes saw Harding over. He converted to take a 15-14 lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The Vultures had one last attack in them and in an effective move from a lineout and several phases the gallant Oxen just ran out of defenders and their wing scored his 3rd try to regain the and win the match.

A compelling and entertaining game played at a blistering pace and with huge physical effort. Well done to all involved.