WHEW!!!

Oxford kicked off the game at 3 after some confusion over a 2-30 KO, Newbury take and run the ball but hit a defensive wall so recycle for Richard West to clear with a long kick, Oxford respond with a kick but again another good kick from Richard West forces Oxford back and a chase from the Blues is rewarded with a long penalty which Richard West slots over 0-3, 2 min’s

This strong Oxford team were stung by this and within a couple of minutes they were ahead when a chip over the Newbury defence was touched down 7-3, 4 min’s

Oxford take the restart but before they put many phases together they knock on just in their half, Newbury win the scrum but a forward pass stops their progress, the next 10 min is spent with both teams making ground but either a mistake or a penalty stops their progress. This cut and thrust play is ended when from a lineout Newbury quickly spin the ball through the backs hands out to full back Josh Bartlett who breaks down the touchline evading tackles to score wide out on the left, Richard West successful with the long conversion, 7-10, 15 min’s

Newbury take the restart and attack through their forwards, Finn Walsh and Josh Love making good yards before the backs have a go through Dan Thorne, Aaron McDowell and Jamie Futcher, their progress is stopped when the Oxford defence force a penalty. They take it quickly and counter attack getting into the Newbury 22 before progress is stopped when the Newbury defence knock on. Oxford win the scrum and attack right up the middle of the field breaking through the Newbury defence to score under the posts, 14-10, 23 min’s

Oxford are now playing like League Champions and a couple of minutes later after a Newbury knock on they attack from the scrum and win a penalty which is kicked into touch in the Newbury 22. Lineout won they drive forwards with their bigger pack and score 21-10, 26 min’s

Newbury take the restart and make ground through Josh Winfield and Jack Walsh but again give away a penalty, Oxford kick into touch but Newbury steal the lineout to relieve the pressure and a good Josh Bartlett run takes play into the Oxford half, the Oxford defence infringe allowing Richard West to kick into touch deep in the Oxford half. Oxford manage to steal the ball and spread the ball wide making good yards up the pitch, missed tackles means they make the length of the pitch to allow their winger to score close to the posts 28-10, 35 min’s

Newbury are soon in trouble again and give away a penalty which Oxford kick 31-10, 37 min’s

Within a minute Newbury have forced a penalty in Oxfords half which Richard West kicks 31-13, 39 mins

Oxford attack for the last few minutes but cannot add to their score before the half time whistle

Half time substitutes, Matt Maher on for Aaron McDowell, Greg Price on for Josh Winfield
Newbury kick off, Oxford take and attack but a great tackle from Josh Bartlett stops their progress and forces the mistake which gives Newbury possession, Newbury slowly get out of the danger area and when the Oxford defence give away a penalty the ball is safely kicked into touch in the Oxford half. Lineout won the Newbury forwards progress up field through George Robinson Slater, Graham Stewart and Alex Millar before Joe Binfield releases the ball to the backs for Matt Maher to make ground and pass to Dan Thorne to make the remaining yards to score, Richard West converting 31-20, 45 min’s

Oxford win the ball from the restart and attack but luckily a knock on in Newbury’s 22 gives Newbury a scrum and a chance to clear their lines, scrum won they run the ball out of defence but lose the ball in a tackle, Oxford counter attack but they to cough up possession allowing Richard West to kick back into the Oxford half. Oxford now half the upper hand and are playing with the confidence of a team who are sat on top of the league, again a mistake stops their progress allowing Newbury to kick to the safety of the touchline. The relief is only short lived and Oxford are soon back in Newbury’s 22, and once the ball is spread wide through their backs they score 38-20, 52 min’s

Oxford are now putting the Newbury defence under constant pressure and a few minutes later have scored their 6th try 45-20, 58 min’s

Newbury don’t give up but again Oxford split the Newbury defence to score 52-20, 63 min’s

Oxford lose the ball from the restart allowing the Blues to attack the Oxford line and after a couple of phase with the ball in the forwards the ball is released by Tom McNamara to Jamie Futcher to make the final yards and touch down wide out on the right, 52-25, 67 min’s
Josh Winfield on for Tom McNamara

Oxford keep up the pressure and within a few minutes have added another try to their tally
57-25, 73 min’s

Newbury vainly try to add to their score but its Oxford who score the final points making the final score 64-25, 79 min’s

Congratulation to Oxford and good luck back in National League 3 South West next season

It was then a nail biting wait to find out the other scores to see who is relegated. News was then received that Windsor had beaten Cheltenham 59-12 and Reading had beaten Marlow 27-12. Witney beat Buckingham 31-29 in which Buckingham had a kick to win the game, which allegedly hit the post and Newbury were saved and avoided relegation by a single point, the end of a roller coaster season and final day.

The score did not reflect how well the Blues played in this game. Oxford have only conceded 123 points at home this season and only Windsor can match Newbury with 25 points scored. This season again the league has been very even and competitive with teams beating each other irrelevant of their league position; but Newbury have had numerous chances to improve their final league position.

The players and coaches must say thank you to all the faithful Newbury supporters who follow the team in rain or shine, cheering on this young squad. It is very much appreciated and with another season’s experience at this level, the goal for next season will be to win more of the close games and not to get embellished in the relegation battle.

Squad;
Graham STEWART (c), Josh LOVE, George ROBINSON SLATER,
Tom MCNAMARA, Josh WINFIELD, Finn WALSH, Jack WALSH, Alex MILLAR,
Joe BINFIELD, Richard WEST, Steve DENNER, Dan THORNE,
Aaron McDOWELL, Jamie FUTCHER, Josh BARTLETT.
Greg PRICE, Matt MAHER, Jack MUGGRIDGE.