Good afternoon, Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, and welcome to our third home Southern Counties North League match of the new season.
Welcome to our visitors Swindon. They have had mixed fortunes in recent times; following a spell in South-West Division 2 East, they are currently, like ourselves languishing in the relegation zone. So today promises to be a nail-biting encounter as both teams seek to kick-start a revival in their form. We last met here on the 15th March 2003, with Swindon winning 13-0, and they also won the previous year 19-10. On that occasion Martin Ewins crossed for Bicester with Patrick Coogan adding the conversion and a penalty goal.
Bicester have so far been unable to maintain their promising start to the league programme. Following our home victory over Beaconsfield, we have fallen 53-0 to a well-drilled Buckingham side. Despite being 0-0 after 24 mins it was to be Henry Colver's day. The Buckingham centre scored a total of two tries, six conversions and two penalties. Last Saturday we went down 24-8 away at Grove. The scores were level 8-8 after Leigh Rushworth try and Tom Barnes penalty, but the home side used the strong wind, to kick 3 penalties and cross for a late converted try.
Next Saturday, 18th October, we shall be travelling to Cirencester in the 2nd round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase. We are hoping that as many Bicester supporters as possible will make the relatively short journey, to cheer Anthony Lewis and his team to a memorable National Cup victory. Other local clubs are also involved in the competition include; Chipping Norton, who will be away to Gordon League, Grove who play Chosen Hill Former Pupils at home, and Witney who entertain another Gloucestershire side, Widden Old Boys.
Turning now to the National League 3 South, Henley have re-established themselves as the premier rugby union side in Oxfordshire. They were made to battle all the way at basement boys Worthing before Neil Baggett's 80th minute try converted by Danny Wells, earned them a 10-6 win. Last Saturday the Hawks recorded a more impressive 28-19 home success against Richmond. There is precious little joy at Chinnor however, who went down 25-20 away to Bridgewater Albion before losing at home 32-20 to Worthing.
In South West 1, Oxford Harlequins were routed 55-7 at league leaders Readingensians, and despite making changes to the side, the again lost, 39-10 to 4th place Bracknell at home. This leaves Quins rooted to the bottom of the table. Wallingford made it 4 from 4 with an excellent 30-15 success at Olney, followed by a thrilling home victory over Swanage and Wareham. They now occupy third place in South West 2 East, behind Reading and Maidenhead. At the other end Henley Wanderers lost 31-18, at home to Olney.
Returning to our own Southern Counties North, a late penalty goal by Adam Smith gifted Chipping Norton a pulsating 28-26 victory at home to Windsor and a week later, they earned a emphatic 32-0 triumph away at Aylesbury to make it 3 from 4. Witney, like ourselves are still out of form. A narrow 20-17 home defeat by Slough preceded a 18-12 reverse away to Milton Keynes. Grove drew 27-27 at home to Alyesbury and gained their first win of the season last week against ourselves.
Oxford leads the field of local teams in BB&O Premier League. Successes against Stow 27-13, and Wheatley 48-7, mean they are now joint third. Newly promoted Harwell have made a highly creditable start to their first season in the League, winning 2 of their first 3 games. However, they returned to earth last week, crashing 83-10 at Newbury Stags. Newbury now top the league. Gosford, Abingdon and Wheatley are so far without any points. Gosford had thrashed Wheatley 54-0, but then forfeited 2 points due to a lack of front row and last week they lost 39-7 at Broadmoor. Littlemore secured an impressive 48-12 win at home to Berkshire Shire Hall in BB&O Division 1 South. In the same division, Hungerford beat Didcott 17-8. Two recent wins, against Huntingdon 27-12 and Old Newtonians, 32-15, have elevated Banbury to 4th position in Midlands 3 East South.
Witney Angels began their Midlands 2 Campaign with a 12-5 success over Longton Ladies. Veteran lock forward Debbie Gorrod, the former international sailor and Olympic trialist, scored the second try. Henley Ladies lost to title favourites Bath in their Championship Division 1 South opening game. Full back Chris Catling crossed for 2 tries in Oxford University's 24-8 defeat of Moseley. Despite the collapse of sponsors Lehman Brothers, the 127th Varsity match will take place at Twickenham as scheduled on Thursday December 11th.
To the Mini and Junior section now and it was another successful campaign for the mini section at the annual Grove festival last Sunday. Of the12 finals played in all (a main final and a plate final in each of the six mini age groups) Bicester appeared in 5 of them, winning 3; the Under 8's went unbeaten all day defeating Wheatley in the final match, as defending county champions the Under 9's got the season off to a perfect start and a special mention should go to Under 7's who were runners up in their first ever competitive outing. Well done to all the players and the ever dedicated coaching staff.
Finally a reminder that we shall be travelling to Chipping Norton on the 25th October, following the cup game in Cirencester, and on Saturday 1st November we entertain Slough in the league here at Oxford Road.
See you all soon
Paul Chrisp
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