By Ian Golden at The Gnoll
South Wales Scorpions put in a lacklustre performance at The Gnoll on Sunday as they went down 28-6 to a well-drilled Oxford side.
It was a poor game to watch and perhaps the Scorpions thought they were playing rugby union after just a couple of minutes. Either that or they were showing utmost respect to their opponents by kicking an early penalty rather than going for a try. Jack Murphy was the scorer and the Welsh went into an early 2-0 lead.
And that was all they could muster in the first half. They mishandled the ball from kick-off and from the scrum Jonny Leather scored a try in the corner. Leather’s conversion went nearer to touch than the sticks so Oxford now had a two-point lead.
The visitors had their tails up. Shaun Morris intercepted a loose ball and made a 60-metre run but was superbly tackled by Murphy despite the Wigan dual-reg player starting his run a good five seconds after Morris.
But a few minutes later they did get their second when Morris grounded in the corner and Leather missed again.
Oliver Johnson increased Oxford’s lead on 31 minutes when he twisted his way over the line. Leather couldn’t convert for a third time and Oxford led 12-2.
Billy Sheen took a knock to the head and had to be replaced just before the interval.
Following that short break, Shaun Robinson scored in the corner giving the home side a mountain to climb in the second half. Leather’s conversion went in off the post to give Oxford an 18-2 lead at the break.
The Scorpions were marginally better in the second half but it wasn’t enough to cause a major impression.
Oxford extended their advantage seven minutes into the second half when Morris got his second try of the game. Leather missed for the fourth time.
Finally the Scorpions crossed the line on 53 minutes when Haydn Peacock darted through. Murphy sliced his kick wide. They looked for another but couldn’t capitalise on the bit of momentum they’d picked up. Connor Farrer was twice held up over the line, Billy Sheen tried to skip through the defence but was halted, and Kristian Hawkes’ kick on the final tackle of a set was too deep.
Oxford cemented their victory with a superb try on 72 minutes. John Clough made a 60 metre run avoiding all challengers before laying off to Matty Hadden who completed the move by scoring under the sticks. Leather converted.
With a couple of minutes to go, Kristian Hawkes was held up over the line and that was the Scorpions’ last opportunity for a consolation.