Oxon recover to keep unbeaten run in tact

From the archive, first published Wednesday 12th Mar 2003.

Oxfordshire maintained their unbeaten record in the Tetley Bitter Under 20 County Championship with a convincing 38-7 victory over Bucks at Stratfield Brake on Sunday.

However, they did not make the best of starts, after deciding to play with a stiff breeze at their backs.

Bucks took the lead after 12 minutes when full back Tom Gibbs scored under the posts, and kicked the conversion.

Oxon's response was immediate. From a set-scrum near the posts, flanker Sean Bannister picked up and ran wide to the right, outstripping the defence and scoring in the corner.

They took the lead when series of charges from their pack led to Jack Martin bursting through the defence to score with a flourish under the posts. Matt Goode kicked the conversion

The next score came just before half time when the all-action Bannister picked up from the base of the scrum and worked the ball out to the backs for Sean Allwood to elude the defence with a clear run to the line.

Goode again converted to give Oxon a 19-7 interval lead.

Bucks showed more resolve in the second half, and it was a further 28 minutes before Oxon added to their score with a try and conversion from Goode after more good work from Bannister.

Further tries followed from Sean Allwood and Leon Westerman, with Goode's fourth conversion completing the scoring.

Oxon, who are now second in the South West B Division, next play Berkshire at Shire Hall's ground in Sonning this Sunday (2.15).

Oxon Under 20 squad: C Daniels (Banbury), J Lamb (Witney), M Goode (Banbury), S Allwood (Banbury), H Lamb (Witney), L Westerman (Chinnor), S Button (Banbury), R Dore (Witney), B Hackshaw (Chinnor), R Smith (Banbury), A Avery (Worcester), J Martin (Ox Brookes), B Millard (Banbury), T Iles (Hartpury Coll), S Bannister (Banbury), D Goddard (Chinnor), A Khan (Ox Brookes), H Teare (Banbury), T Lewis (Abingdon), J Rowles (Witney),

L Bennett (Hartpury Coll).