Women’s match
University of Birmingham 8-10-58 def OUARFC 4-3-27
Oxford women's team lined up against Birmingham on the muddy pitch of Cowley Marsh. The conditions were challenging, with a strong breeze across the field seeing kicks from both sides being swept out on the full. Despite the wind, Oxford managed several passages of play with marks stringed together down the field. Oxford pushed forward, with a strong grab from Marta at centre half forward, but the forward line was unable to convert their possessions to scoreboard pressure. Down the other end, Birmingham managed to get a couple of goals on the board early. However, intense defense from Fiona McLoughlin and Kaddy "the extractor" Noonan led to several missed goals from Birmingham and kept Oxford in touch at the half way mark.
Oxford's 3 debutants, Claire, Fiona, and Marta, impressed throughout the match with solid marks and courageous defensive pressure. Good skills from Kellie and Claire were complemented by Oxford's ruck, Genevieve, who ran all day and fought bravely against one of the England Vixen's gold-medal-winning players.
After several missed attempts, Rachel Paterson finally managed to squeeze through a goal. Back-to-back goals from the on-fire Emma Lawrance were enough to fire-up the Oxford team and put them within a goal half-way through the third quarter. Birmingham tried their best to nullify Emma, at one point coming close to knocking her out, but she refused to give in and was back in the pack at the very next contest. Oxford were more successful at targeting the opposition players, with fullback Fiona McLoughlin lining up the Birmingham captain with a full force rugby tackle that resulted in a missed goal and one of Birmingham's England-level players clutching at her ribs. Although that tackle in particular was a highlight, the Oxford women tackled ferociously all day and won themselves several free kicks for their efforts. In the end the more experienced Birmingham team ran out winners, but the Oxford women's team is already showing great signs of what is to come.
Men’s match
University of Birmingham 6-6-42 def OUARFC 0-3-3
The season’s second clash against the University powerhouse Birmingham was our first home game, occurring on our full sized pitch in Horspath amongst a gaggle of Quidditch players struggling to control their broomsticks in gale force winds. Birmingham was desperate to avenge their first loss in years, and arrived appearing like their famous sports science department had cloned a team of strong silent types specially for the match. The Blues numbers were strong, with an injured McGilvray tasked to try to manage the large, enthusiastic bench, keen to reach the warmth of the mid-field pile-ons.
With Geoff Pascoe stepping up to umpire as he arrived from the women’s game, a whistle was quickly carved from a sapling, and the game begun. The clash quickly gained it’s characteristic form: intense midfield clashes followed by the ball floating into the dead corner of Birmingham’s forward line, where significant time was spent retrieving the ball from the downwind ditch, only for it to be swatted right back there by the strangely defensive Birmingham ruckman. Against him, indefatigable Jack Valmadre was having a breakout match, taking on ruck duties for much of the game and providing good output to stalwarts Anish Patel and Kyle Turner, who were industrious and fierce in the middle despite the atrocious conditions. Standing by, the wrecking crew of Kieran Patel, Eric ‘Archer’ Sterling, and Sam Calderwood, slammed Birmingham players whenever they emerged from the pack.
Unfortunately, Birmingham players often kept on coming, and the ball ended up in defence with some regularity. Will Woods, Ben Young and Thewlis proved stout challenges here, and Riggas dropped back when necessary to stabilise and organise the backline. The wind was causing havoc, with stray balls flying over Brummie forwards heads as if they were Caroliner Panther receivers. Tayo Sanders provided support, showing good signs of becoming accustomed to this weird game.
At half time we had surrendered a few goals to zip, but the intensity of the game left the leaders pleased. Nish Patel, still recovering from a collapsed lung during his summer season, had spent a good part of the first half doubled over in pain, but was raring to go for the second.
Geoff Pascoe exchanged the whistle with James Righetti, and added his heft to the wings, where Pigeon Hunn and Elliot Neame had been plying their trade. In the difficult conditions few could take an overhead mark, but Seb “Flounder” Wylie continuously crashed packs with his leads into the half back line, taking strong grabs, and evading Brummies like he had eyes in the back of his head. Crumbing down for clearances were Brodie Foy, Rob Cornish, and Grossy, but the winds made it a struggle to move the footy along. Ollie Bartlett and Oliver Van Hecke arrived from duties at the women’s game and quickly caused impact: Ollie joining Genie Duff with strong fists from the back line, Oliver playing on oblivious to a slashed knee that had to be stitched up after the game.
Up forward, things were a little quiet. Nik Kirby got to know his opposition, and Josh Combs showed promise that he will be a key forward target in games where ball will more reliably go where it is intended. Unfortunately, he was hampered by an elbow injury that ended his day early. Alex Coccia put in yet another solid performance, making a strong case for taking a key role in the Varsity line-up.
Overall, it was a tough day at the office. Birmingham are a strong, well-balanced side, and show great intensity bursting from packs, a key skill in the conditions we faced. We did well restricting them to a limited number of goals. We need to work on gaining possessions in packs, and efficient ball clearances and movement. This we come with simple match-time, and lots of contested work at training.
A huge thanks to Geoff and Riggas for umpiring the matches, after a late cancellation from our umpire, and others who helped out on the day.
University of Birmingham 8-10-58 def OUARFC 4-3-27
Oxford women's team lined up against Birmingham on the muddy pitch of Cowley Marsh. The conditions were challenging, with a strong breeze across the field seeing kicks from both sides being swept out on the full. Despite the wind, Oxford managed several passages of play with marks stringed together down the field. Oxford pushed forward, with a strong grab from Marta at centre half forward, but the forward line was unable to convert their possessions to scoreboard pressure. Down the other end, Birmingham managed to get a couple of goals on the board early. However, intense defense from Fiona McLoughlin and Kaddy "the extractor" Noonan led to several missed goals from Birmingham and kept Oxford in touch at the half way mark.
Oxford's 3 debutants, Claire, Fiona, and Marta, impressed throughout the match with solid marks and courageous defensive pressure. Good skills from Kellie and Claire were complemented by Oxford's ruck, Genevieve, who ran all day and fought bravely against one of the England Vixen's gold-medal-winning players.
After several missed attempts, Rachel Paterson finally managed to squeeze through a goal. Back-to-back goals from the on-fire Emma Lawrance were enough to fire-up the Oxford team and put them within a goal half-way through the third quarter. Birmingham tried their best to nullify Emma, at one point coming close to knocking her out, but she refused to give in and was back in the pack at the very next contest. Oxford were more successful at targeting the opposition players, with fullback Fiona McLoughlin lining up the Birmingham captain with a full force rugby tackle that resulted in a missed goal and one of Birmingham's England-level players clutching at her ribs. Although that tackle in particular was a highlight, the Oxford women tackled ferociously all day and won themselves several free kicks for their efforts. In the end the more experienced Birmingham team ran out winners, but the Oxford women's team is already showing great signs of what is to come.
Men’s match
University of Birmingham 6-6-42 def OUARFC 0-3-3
The season’s second clash against the University powerhouse Birmingham was our first home game, occurring on our full sized pitch in Horspath amongst a gaggle of Quidditch players struggling to control their broomsticks in gale force winds. Birmingham was desperate to avenge their first loss in years, and arrived appearing like their famous sports science department had cloned a team of strong silent types specially for the match. The Blues numbers were strong, with an injured McGilvray tasked to try to manage the large, enthusiastic bench, keen to reach the warmth of the mid-field pile-ons.
With Geoff Pascoe stepping up to umpire as he arrived from the women’s game, a whistle was quickly carved from a sapling, and the game begun. The clash quickly gained it’s characteristic form: intense midfield clashes followed by the ball floating into the dead corner of Birmingham’s forward line, where significant time was spent retrieving the ball from the downwind ditch, only for it to be swatted right back there by the strangely defensive Birmingham ruckman. Against him, indefatigable Jack Valmadre was having a breakout match, taking on ruck duties for much of the game and providing good output to stalwarts Anish Patel and Kyle Turner, who were industrious and fierce in the middle despite the atrocious conditions. Standing by, the wrecking crew of Kieran Patel, Eric ‘Archer’ Sterling, and Sam Calderwood, slammed Birmingham players whenever they emerged from the pack.
Unfortunately, Birmingham players often kept on coming, and the ball ended up in defence with some regularity. Will Woods, Ben Young and Thewlis proved stout challenges here, and Riggas dropped back when necessary to stabilise and organise the backline. The wind was causing havoc, with stray balls flying over Brummie forwards heads as if they were Caroliner Panther receivers. Tayo Sanders provided support, showing good signs of becoming accustomed to this weird game.
At half time we had surrendered a few goals to zip, but the intensity of the game left the leaders pleased. Nish Patel, still recovering from a collapsed lung during his summer season, had spent a good part of the first half doubled over in pain, but was raring to go for the second.
Geoff Pascoe exchanged the whistle with James Righetti, and added his heft to the wings, where Pigeon Hunn and Elliot Neame had been plying their trade. In the difficult conditions few could take an overhead mark, but Seb “Flounder” Wylie continuously crashed packs with his leads into the half back line, taking strong grabs, and evading Brummies like he had eyes in the back of his head. Crumbing down for clearances were Brodie Foy, Rob Cornish, and Grossy, but the winds made it a struggle to move the footy along. Ollie Bartlett and Oliver Van Hecke arrived from duties at the women’s game and quickly caused impact: Ollie joining Genie Duff with strong fists from the back line, Oliver playing on oblivious to a slashed knee that had to be stitched up after the game.
Up forward, things were a little quiet. Nik Kirby got to know his opposition, and Josh Combs showed promise that he will be a key forward target in games where ball will more reliably go where it is intended. Unfortunately, he was hampered by an elbow injury that ended his day early. Alex Coccia put in yet another solid performance, making a strong case for taking a key role in the Varsity line-up.
Overall, it was a tough day at the office. Birmingham are a strong, well-balanced side, and show great intensity bursting from packs, a key skill in the conditions we faced. We did well restricting them to a limited number of goals. We need to work on gaining possessions in packs, and efficient ball clearances and movement. This we come with simple match-time, and lots of contested work at training.
A huge thanks to Geoff and Riggas for umpiring the matches, after a late cancellation from our umpire, and others who helped out on the day.
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