Combined Services U23 ambushed by Oxbridge U23
A powerful Oxbridge U23 team with 10 current Blues put on an impressive display to overwhelm the Combined Services 50-22 at Twickenham. Played as the curtainraiser to the annual Army vs Navy Match, the U23s put on an entertaining match of free flowing rugby which often saw play sweep the full length of the field. The match kicked off with Oxbridge stamping its early authority on the match with a 12-0 lead before pulling away 30-0 at half-time. After a heated half-time team talk the Services bounced back to gain parity with the students at ruck and maul time and scored some well rewarded tries after sustained periods of possession. As the match wore on though Oxbridge once again gained the ascendency with the entire bench being subbed into the match in order to enjoy this unique occasion and closed the match out with some rugby that highlighted the quality and talent both universities possess. Players of note were Sandy Reid who was named man of the match with an outstanding display who alongside his St.Johns teammate Fred Burdon made numerous line breaks and carving runs that setup many Oxbridge assaults on the Combined Services. Ross Swanson controlled the match well from flyhalf and regularly challanged the Services inside channels with some probing runs as did the likes of Will Browne and Sean Morris who both scored some great opportunist tries. Up front at the coal face though, the Oxbridge tight five led by Pat Crossley toiled away in the warm conditions and provided the platform against an aggressive Services pack that allowed the backs great front foot ball. Outstanding Looseforwards Chris Davies and Alex Cheesman both were tireless with their athletic performances, making numerous ball carries, tackles and contribution in open play was a difference between the two packs. This was the first fixture between Oxbridge and the Combined Services U23s and a great occasion enjoyed by all. It is envisaged that this will become an annual fixture in the rugby calender that is a great opportunity to showcase Oxbridge talent and values of exciting, free flowing student rugby. The team was: 1 H Macdonald (Oxford) 2 P Crossley * (Cambridge) 3 W Kane (Oxford) 4 K Outen * (Oxford) 5 C Baird (Cambridge) 6 A Cheesman * (Oxford) 7 T Stanton (Cambridge) 8 C Davies * (Oxford) 9 S Waite (Oxford) 10 R Swanson * (Oxford) 11 I Cherezov (Cambridge) 12 F Burden * (Cambridge) 13 A Reid * (Cambridge) 14 S Morris * (Oxford) 15 W Browne * (Oxford) Replacements: 16 G Oliver (Oxford) 17 A Cheetham * (Cambridge) 18 L Mather (Oxford) 19 B Martin (Cambridge) 20 B Wilson (Cambridge) 21 R James * (Oxford) 22 E Boyes (Oxford) 23 M Shephard (Cambridge) 24 R Stevens (Cambridge) * Denotes Blue
