Grove vs Oxford (Away) Match report

Grove continued their try spree with another 5 as they despatched Oxford 40-13 at the southern bypass ground on saturday. Oxford competed well at the ruck all game, sometimes legally, sometimes not, and opened the scoring with a penalty early on from fly half Jon Derrick. Grove captain Nick Sevier replied shortly after with the first of a brace scorching in from 50 metres. Oxford retook the lead with another penalty, but Grove turned around in the lead 6-10 when Richard 'Biff' Keen forced his way over from a lineout drive, the first of an all front row try scoring day for grove.

The 2nd half was a tough one for Oxford, perhaps highlighting their weaknesses, as Grove never really got into top gear but scored another 30 points. Firstly hooker Steve Dixey was on hand from a pass from scrum half John Nedelkoff and scored under the posts, Roger Sevier converting for 6-17. Oxford then started giving penalties away at the ruck and had lock Mark Viner sin binned for his trouble. Sevier punished this and further indiscretions with 3 kicked penalties to make it 6-26 before the Oxford No.8 Alex Henk barrelled his way over for a good try, following the only period of sustained pressure they had, but also running through some fairly weak tackling, Derrick converting to make the score 13-26. It wasn't until late in the half that Grove scored again, but when prop Jimmy Wallbridge took a quick tap penalty on the 22, he only had eyes for the line and ran through 3 tackles before forcing himself over for the bonus point try and a score of 13-33 with the conversion from Roger Sevier. Nick Sevier scored his second with the last move of the game, outpacing the defence with another long run-in, and brother Roger once again converted to make the final scoreline 13-40 to Grove.

Grove could have coped better with a team that were intent mainly on disruption, but still managed to win comfortably and secured that valuable bonus point. Another of last years colts, Martin Walsh, made his 1st team debut at prop, and with the scrum once again dominant, had a fairly easy day.
The rumour was that the referee had requested the Grove scrum stop pushing so hard as it was becoming dangerous!....all the coach has to say to that is....Keep up the good work lads! All this without Kerrsy too.....and Joe's kicking......

Grove Scores
Tries - N Sevier 2, Keen, Dixey, Wallbridge
Conversions - R Sevier 3
Penalties - R Sevier 3

Grove team
Wallbridge, Dixey, Keen, Miles, Weaving, Fredericks, Chapman, Bellinger, Needlekoff, R Sevier, Harrington, Nicholl, N Sevier, Peel, Carr, subs - Walsh, Law, Clare