Oxford
The pragmatic John Brodley however, Director of Rugby
at the club, described the club’s 2017-2018 season as one of
two lost opportunities. Oxford’s bogey team was Risborough,
who comprised mainly of disaffected ex-Chinnor players. The
first league match at Oxford saw the home side throw away a
17-0 lead in the second half after losing two scrum halves to
injury during the match but hung on for a 17-17 draw although
a missed penalty in the last few moments would have won
the match for them. The return in wet and slippery conditions
on Risborough’s small clay surfaced school pitch saw Oxford
concede early scores but, fighting back with momentum, the
team just ran out of time in the 12-15 defeat.
The late season play-off with Risborough was seen as
a match for the league title between the two top sides. Sadly
nerves played a part and Risborough had the upper hand.
Once again, Oxford came storming back with a late try and a
penalty to take the lead only to immediately concede a penalty
in the last minute, the match and the league title in the 13-14
defeat. But there was still promotion to celebrate!
The RFU Junior Vase, and the second opportunity with a
Final at Twickenham beckoning, saw Oxford beat Risborough
31-15 before travelling to Puddletown in Dorset to win the
Southern Final 36-13. In the South West Final Oxford drew a
tough match at home 13-13 with Devon side South Molton but
went out of the competition on a 1-2 try count.
But all this belies a great season for the club. In the
league matches the 1st XV amassed a huge total of 908 points
while only conceding 222. This can be attributed to Brodley’s
George Casserly of Casserly Structures
recently spoke to Rugby Club Magazine
about his positive association with Oxford
Rugby Club, saying, “I have lived in Oxford
for 40 years and when my son Ronan
started playing for the clubs mini section
I naturally got to know the club and the
people down there.
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92 Issue 79
It’s been a great season for the club and
I don’t think they have anything to worry
about in the higher division next year.
My business Casserly Structures has
recently sponsored the club and we look
forward to supporting the boys moving
forward. They have a great team running
the club and a very good coach also, best
wishes to everyone at Oxford Rugby Club
for the future.”