Rugby: Cathcart sees of Quins

From the archive, first published Tuesday 28th Sep 2004.

Chinnor fly half James Cathcart made Oxford Harlequins pay a severe penalty for indiscretions as he kicked his side to a 39-25 victory in the derby clash at Horspath Road on Saturday.

Cathcart amassed 24 points with six penalties and three conversions as the visitors eased home against Quins, who are still looking for their first win of the season.

All six of his penalties came in the first half, when Chinnor had a strong wind advantage.

Under pressure, Quins' back row of flanker Paul Nye, Elliott Stephenson and Shaun Baxter gave away a string of penalties. Cathcart goaled four of them to give Chinnor a 12-0 lead by the 22nd minute.

Chinnor flanker Andy Milburn and Quins No 8 Stephenson were both yellow-card midway through the first half for killing the ball.

Quins gave away more penalties. Cathcart converted two to give Chinnor an 18-0 lead, although the home side reduced the deficit with an Andy Noyce penalty just before half-time.

In the second half, Quins, with the wind now at their backs, started to peg Chinnor back in their own half.

But they pressed the self-destruct button by conceding two soft tries from No 8 Jack Martin and wing Chad Ward in the 45th and 47th minutes, both converted by Cathcart to make the score 32-3.

At last Quins started to string some attacks together. A finely worked move saw South African centre Clinton Searle burst through the last Chinnor defender to go over by the post for his first try for the club, Noyce converting.

Then skipper Baxter went over for another try in the 53rd minute.

After full back Dave Boreham had been yellow-carded, Quins scored their third try through left wing Elio Recchia.

The gap was now only 12 points, but Chinnor eased their worries with a try by full back Alan Cawston, which Cathcart converted.

The home side had the final say with a try from replacement centre Charlie Mawle.

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