Darren Oxley’s first run out for the Oxen proved to be a memorable occasion as he scored two tries and set up three others as Chinnor Oxen beat Andover 45 – 6.

From the kick off back row boys Brooks and Bridges linked with Oxley who dummied through the Andover defence to put young James Ward away to score an unconverted try in the corner after just 30 seconds.
The Andover pack responded well. They piled on the pressure and drove Chinnor back on several occasions resulting in Chinnor errors and two successfully converted penalties. This gave Andover a 6 – 5 lead for much of the first half.

Chinnor’s tactics changed to keep the ball away from the Andover pack and run quick ball wide which enabled Darren Oxley to get a brace of tries converted by Conor Begley.

In the second half the Andover pack ran out of steam enabling Chinnor to dominate most aspects of the game with Kenny Lue rampant in the lineout and John Cann being very solid in the front row. The slick handing of the backs resulted in tries for Andy Healy, Conor Begley, Jerry Philpott and Bill Deeley with Begley converting three of the tries.

The Oxen’s man of the match, Oxley was cited for ‘jug avoidance’.