The Second Fitzpatrick Cup University championships provided OUARFC with the enviable opportunity for a second visit to the glorious city of Birmingham. With the original venue evaporating two days before the fixture, we arrived to find a new one had been cobbled together from a couple of junior soccer pitches and what looked like an oversized tennis court. Limited ground access led to a schedule tighter than Davos, but this didn’t deter the huge Oxford squad which mixed fresh faced debutantes and grizzled old timers.
Game 1
OUARFC 5.5.35 def Maynooth University 2.1.13
After 2 hours of stretching, our first match finally arrived, against an Irish team from God-knows-where. We were already a man down, Genie Duff having put his shoulder out while putting on his boots, but this only encouraged the remainder. Debutantes rapidly made an impact, with Sam Merson swatting down the ball in the ruck contests, and providing good chat and biffo to go along with it, despite rudimentary knowledge of the rules. Big Louis “Buckets” Jamart immediately began taking grabs in the forward line where Nik Kirby was introducing him to the finer points of his Braveheart-style leading technique. Pat Thewlis was another early standout, with his academic inclination for well-considered “don’t argues” eventually leading to his Irish counterpart providing a succinct response – Pat was unhappily dragged of the field with a bloody nose.
The first half was promising, with a three-goal-to-none lead. Alex Coccia had started where he left off, with powerful runs forward and improving disposal. Fellow American Tayo, displayed speed and aggression, with the triathlete’s fitness never truly tested. This day also marked the debut of Philly-native Eric “Archer” Sterling. Found living rough out of a suitcase under a tree in University Parks, his first words as we approached him were “I just wanna lay some dudes out” – we knew he was a keeper. While expected big hits came, Archer also showed impressive poise and pace in his appearances, more than can be said for his bus ride home. Ollie Bartlett, nursing a leg injury, was creative in defence, and when off the ground, used his expertise in autonomous systems to manage our more autonomous players. After some modest second half resistance, Maynooth capitulated.
Game 1
OUARFC 5.5.35 def Maynooth University 2.1.13
After 2 hours of stretching, our first match finally arrived, against an Irish team from God-knows-where. We were already a man down, Genie Duff having put his shoulder out while putting on his boots, but this only encouraged the remainder. Debutantes rapidly made an impact, with Sam Merson swatting down the ball in the ruck contests, and providing good chat and biffo to go along with it, despite rudimentary knowledge of the rules. Big Louis “Buckets” Jamart immediately began taking grabs in the forward line where Nik Kirby was introducing him to the finer points of his Braveheart-style leading technique. Pat Thewlis was another early standout, with his academic inclination for well-considered “don’t argues” eventually leading to his Irish counterpart providing a succinct response – Pat was unhappily dragged of the field with a bloody nose.
The first half was promising, with a three-goal-to-none lead. Alex Coccia had started where he left off, with powerful runs forward and improving disposal. Fellow American Tayo, displayed speed and aggression, with the triathlete’s fitness never truly tested. This day also marked the debut of Philly-native Eric “Archer” Sterling. Found living rough out of a suitcase under a tree in University Parks, his first words as we approached him were “I just wanna lay some dudes out” – we knew he was a keeper. While expected big hits came, Archer also showed impressive poise and pace in his appearances, more than can be said for his bus ride home. Ollie Bartlett, nursing a leg injury, was creative in defence, and when off the ground, used his expertise in autonomous systems to manage our more autonomous players. After some modest second half resistance, Maynooth capitulated.
Game 2
OUARFC 3.4.22 tied University of Cork B 3.4.22
After the convincing win, we sat out another game. As some huddled around a hand dryer for warmth club Treasurer Ewan Selkirk pulled out a three-course lunch he had prepared in the morning. Ben Hunn found himself inadvertently applauding the Tabs, and promptly punched himself in the face.
The next game we faced a burly bunch of lads from Cork, who presented a step up in the skill, aggression, and chat. Skillful forwards Ross Gales and Geoff “Onsie” Pascoe played valuable minutes in this game, and will deserve more match time in future bouts. Jack Valmadre spent considerable time in the ruck, confusing his teammates and Irish opposition alike by lining up in the opposite direction. Adam Kellet and Rob Cornish provided grit in the middle, and newcomer Oliver Van Hecke ventured onto the field to reveal glimpses of a tough defensive attitude and the kick of an angry Cassowary. After a rousing comeback, and some missed opportunities, this game went to a tie, aggravating exhausted Saints’ supporter Matt McGilvray’s 2010-era PTSD.
Semi final
University of Cork A 3.4.22 def OUARFC 3.2.20
After hours of AFL Europe deliberation, it was determined that OUARFC finished on top of our Pool. Moving under the lights on the giant tennis court, we faced Cork A, yet another angry, chatty Irish team. Their Essendon jumpers, and faulty understanding of the rules beyond an obsession with interchange protocol, suggested that a sizable proportion of the team may have been a bunch of guys on a hastily arranged gap year from Melbourne. In a torrid affair, OUARFC lynchpin Kyle Turner yet again ran himself into the ground, leading with constant voice and swooping on loose balls like a swift over water. Charlie Rae was as impactful as he had been through the day, dropping back to take vice like grabs in defence. On the synthetic surface the ball skills of the Irish proved difficult to counter. Tough Irish backman Tommy Griffin provided advice throughout the day, but unfortunately the team was none-the-wiser as he appeared to be speaking Gaelic. Intensity was high. Defender Ben Young would have nothing of Cork’s Ryan Crowley-esque over-friendly banter and encroachment of personal space. In the final minutes, two points down, OUARFC locked the ball in our forward line. A mark was in the offing at the siren, but the ball swerved in the night air and the hour was done.
Overall, this was a solid performance from a large and relatively inexperienced OUARFC squad. More work is needed in positioning and running the ball. Upcoming 18-a-side games will be a crucial testing ground for the development of these skills in the run-up to varsity.
OUARFC 3.4.22 tied University of Cork B 3.4.22
After the convincing win, we sat out another game. As some huddled around a hand dryer for warmth club Treasurer Ewan Selkirk pulled out a three-course lunch he had prepared in the morning. Ben Hunn found himself inadvertently applauding the Tabs, and promptly punched himself in the face.
The next game we faced a burly bunch of lads from Cork, who presented a step up in the skill, aggression, and chat. Skillful forwards Ross Gales and Geoff “Onsie” Pascoe played valuable minutes in this game, and will deserve more match time in future bouts. Jack Valmadre spent considerable time in the ruck, confusing his teammates and Irish opposition alike by lining up in the opposite direction. Adam Kellet and Rob Cornish provided grit in the middle, and newcomer Oliver Van Hecke ventured onto the field to reveal glimpses of a tough defensive attitude and the kick of an angry Cassowary. After a rousing comeback, and some missed opportunities, this game went to a tie, aggravating exhausted Saints’ supporter Matt McGilvray’s 2010-era PTSD.
Semi final
University of Cork A 3.4.22 def OUARFC 3.2.20
After hours of AFL Europe deliberation, it was determined that OUARFC finished on top of our Pool. Moving under the lights on the giant tennis court, we faced Cork A, yet another angry, chatty Irish team. Their Essendon jumpers, and faulty understanding of the rules beyond an obsession with interchange protocol, suggested that a sizable proportion of the team may have been a bunch of guys on a hastily arranged gap year from Melbourne. In a torrid affair, OUARFC lynchpin Kyle Turner yet again ran himself into the ground, leading with constant voice and swooping on loose balls like a swift over water. Charlie Rae was as impactful as he had been through the day, dropping back to take vice like grabs in defence. On the synthetic surface the ball skills of the Irish proved difficult to counter. Tough Irish backman Tommy Griffin provided advice throughout the day, but unfortunately the team was none-the-wiser as he appeared to be speaking Gaelic. Intensity was high. Defender Ben Young would have nothing of Cork’s Ryan Crowley-esque over-friendly banter and encroachment of personal space. In the final minutes, two points down, OUARFC locked the ball in our forward line. A mark was in the offing at the siren, but the ball swerved in the night air and the hour was done.
Overall, this was a solid performance from a large and relatively inexperienced OUARFC squad. More work is needed in positioning and running the ball. Upcoming 18-a-side games will be a crucial testing ground for the development of these skills in the run-up to varsity.
RSS Feed
