Good Friday turned into a great Friday for South Wales Scorpions, after they earned their first win of the season by beating Oxford 38-20 at Iffley Road on March 26.
Scorpions took the lead on 13 minutes when, following a penalty, Luke Nelmes barged his way under the sticks and Paul Emanuelli converted.
They soon got a second try after Dai Evans intercepted a loose pass. No-one could catch the flying winger as he ran 90 metres to score in the corner, but Emanuelli missed the extras.
A dropped ball from kick-off gave Oxford the chance for a try. Scorpions sides of old would have conceded in similar situations, but this time the defence were once again solid.
Scorpions carried on attacking well but a third try was denied after a pass to Evans, who was clear through, bounced forward.
Oxford struck back from the resulting scrum, as Andy Hoggins made the break, leading to Morris setting up Connor Hughes in the corner.
Oxford scored again from their next play after a good move saw Aaron Dobek go in under the sticks. Hughes converted to level things at 10-10.
The first half may have deservedly been even, but there was only ever one winner after the break.
Less than five minutes into the second half, a good set of passes saw Jordan Sheridan dive over.
Like in the first half, the Scorpions added a quick second when Christiaan Roets took advantage of a repeat set to barge over with Emanuelli again adding the extras on both occasions.
Then, following two penalties, Evans walked over in the corner for Scorpions’ fifth try to make it 28-10 on 53 minutes.
Oxford struck back to give them hope. Andy Hoggins did well to run through and ground, but the kick went wide, leaving the hosts 14 points short with a depleting clock.
Oxford couldn’t keep up the momentum, their poor passing contining to let them down.
A Scorpions scrum after a forward pass gave Greg Wilde the opportunity to sprint to the line, and Emanuelli added the extras.
Oxford weren’t making their chances count. A pass to Errol Carter flew into touch, and a penalty kick to touch failed to reach the sideline.
However, Danny Allen did get another score back from close range after receiving the ball from Josh Nathaniel.
The conversion was drop kicked over to save time, but 14 points in the last two minutes proved to be too big a gap for Oxford.
It was left to Scorpions’ Yannic Parker to score in the corner to wrap up a deserved first win of the season for the Caerphilly based side.
• Match report and photography by Ian Golden of South Wales Scorpions.