Oxford University RLFC 30-14 Warwick University Rugby League: Match Report

Warwick opened their Division 1A campaign with a trip to the place which saw them win the Midlands Cup last year but it was a different story today as they put in a brave defensive effort but eventually fell away to lose 30-14 to Oxford 1sts.

Warwick even led at half-time, 8-4, after a fantastic hard-line try by debutant Rhodri Davies to open the scoring for the game. The lead was maintained thanks to a conversion and a further penalty by half-back Bradley Sheridan but too many mistakes with the ball allowed Oxford back into the contest.

Oxford, on the other hand, completed their sets and despite Warwick soaking up wave after wave of attacking pressure, it was inevitable that Oxford would eventually break through – and they did after 30 minutes in the corner. Inaccurate kicking meant that they never had more than a one try lead until the final few minutes but eventually pressure told and Warwick cracked.

Pierre-Louis Cuminet, another debutant, pulled one back for Warwick to give us another chance in the game after a darting run from dummy-half and if it were for better finishing Warwick may well have come home with a win.

“Whilst not the result we wanted, we can proud of the effort we put in today and we have plenty of positives we can build on for next week. We played a side that came joint-1st in 1A last year and we know that if we correct our mistakes we’ll start winning games at this level. Our goal for a top 3 finish is still there and we plan on giving Cambridge one hell of a game next up.” Said skipper George Edge after the game.

Next week brings Cambridge University RLFC to Cryfield for Warwick’s first home game of the season. Warwick University Rugby League hasn’t lost a single league match at home since 2015, a record they will look to extend against a team they beat 36-4 last season when they were both in Division 2A.