Standings 2008
| Team | PCT |
|---|---|
| Sussex Thunder | 0.700 |
| Southern Sundevils | 0.600 |
| Kent Exiles | 0.600 |
| Oxford Saints | 0.450 |
| Ipswich Cardinals | 0.444 |
| Norwich Devils | 0.150 |
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Depleted Saints grab valuable draw on the road to Norwich.
An undermanned Oxford Saints came away from Norwich with a hard fought draw on Sunday.
The saints were rocked by a number of key absentees, mainly to the defence. Battling not only a well drilled Norwich team (who are now undefeated at home for over 2 years) they also had to contend with extreme weather conditions.
Oxford started with a bang, the opening kickoff saw a big hit from Saints Clive Russell causing the Devils to fumble the ball, Ki Lewis dived on the ball to recover it for Oxford. The Saints new look offense (marshalled by Jay Taylor) however, could not capitalize on the great field position and turned it over on downs.
The Devils offence wasted no time in exploiting Oxfords undermanned defence. After a couple of runs for big gains, Devils QB R.Bonton burst in from 5 yards out to put the home side ahead 6-0, the PAT failed.
The Oxford O continued to stall for the remainder of the 1st Quarter.
The start of the 2nd Quarter saw Oxford with the ball inside their own 20 yard line. A fumble from QB Taylor was pounced on by the Devils and 1 play later J.Anderson sprinted in from 13 yards out to give the Devils a 13-0 lead, the PAT again failed. The home team were now looking very comfortable.
The next drive finally saw Oxfords Offense click into gear. Some good running from RB’s Bryan Myers and Chris Taylor kept the Saints moving. Taylor then ripped off a 29 yard burst behind a big block from Dean Bryan, this set up a 1 yard plunge into the endzone from Myers, the PAT failed, Norwich 12 Oxford 6.
Norwich took the ensuing kickoff back into Saints territory and with only seconds left in the half QB Bonton found a wide open J.Konieczny in the Saints endzone to restore their 2 score lead, the PAT failed, Nowich led 18-6 at the half.
Things needed to change for the Saints in the 2nd half with the Devils looking like easy winners. Stern words from Head Coach Chris Janes at the break fired Oxford up. The second half was to be totally dominated by Oxford with the Saints D totally on top.
Norwich started the half with the ball and was instantly shut down. Key tackles from Stephen Bentley (playing in an unfamiliar role) put an end to the first drive. The Devils were forced to punt and a fumbled snapped left the Devils punter scurrying for his life in the backfield. Saints Lee Hutton tackled the punter for a loss to set up the Saints O in great field position. A couple of plays later Myers barrelled his way into the endzone for his 2nd touchdown of the day, the PAT failed and the Saints had now cut the lead to 18-12.
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The next drive saw Oxfords now rampaging defence shut the Devils down again. Ross Gouldie and Preston Perkins both batted down passes. The 3rd quarter ended with both teams defences dominating, neither side able to move the ball in the torrential rain.
The start of the 4th quarter saw the weather ease. The Saints defence however, continued its relentless domination of the Devils O. Big stops from LB's Andrew 'Snake' Day and Stephen Bentley saw the Devils punting again. Again the snap was bobbled and this time it was Paul Harbour who came up with the tackle on the punter to set up the Offence in great field position.
QB Jay Taylor directed his troops towards the Devils endzone and brother Chris 'The Horse' Taylor galloped into paydirt from 6 yards out to tie the score. Oxford just needed to convert the PAT to go ahead for the first time in the game. Taylor again tried to run left but this time was stopped by a Devils D determined not to go behind, leaving the scores 18-18.
With only 2 minutes left in the game the Devils had a chance to snatch victory. QB Bonton scrambled right and sent a pass towards the Saints endzone, with the pass homing in on its target, Saints Preston Perkins dived full length to intercept it. Time ran out on the clock and Oxford had completed their second half heroics to leave the score tied at the final whistle.
Oxford's next game is their 1st home game of the season, their opponents are Sussex Thunder, K.O 2.30pm, Oxford Rugby Club, North Hinksey, Oxford.
Published: 13-04-2008 by Andrew Day
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