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BackSat 14 Dec 2024 ·  National League 2 East
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1st XV
36
54
Tries: H Packman (2), C Barnes, H Culverhouse, W Holling (2), D Tout, H SimsConversions: S Evans (7)Yellow Carded: W Holling, v everitt
All Action For TJs
Adam Hookway15 Dec 2024 - 14:39
Thirteen tries all told and a tale of two halves in a game where the pace hardly dropped
It was TJs first trip to Oxford Quins and one of the longer journeys of the season. Conditions were fine but cold as to be expected and the ferocious pace of the game certainly suggested that neither side fancied hanging around.
The all weather track will always suit the pacey TJ squad and their lightning start saw them earn a try bonus point and a 3-26 lead within the first 20 minutes. Howard Packman kicked things off after just two minutes and was swiftly followed by tries from Curtis Barnes and Hugo Culverhouse with Packman adding a second. Sam Evans converted three whilst Oxford could only muster a penalty goal despite their best efforts.
TJs were quite literally on fire and in a hurry and all Oxford's best efforts to slow the ball down in the tackle and more they simply could not keep TJs from attacking from deep or creating simple chances which they finished off with ease.
Oxford managed a converted try just before the half hour mark but from the restart TJs struck again through Will Holling and shortly afterwards Duncan Tout finished off a move down the right and TJs went in 10-40 in the lead. Job done it seemed or so some perhaps thought.
That belief shone even brighter as Harrison Sims and Will Holling added rapid tries within the first 10 minutes of the second half starting. With Evans converting all but one of the day's tries for TJs and it seemed that they were indeed home and hosed at 10-54 even with half an hour to go.
To their credit Oxford hadn't given up the game and their efforts to match and better TJs pacey game were rewarded as they dotted down three tries of their own and two conversions in the third quarter. And with Will Holling yellow carded they sensed a losing bonus point might be on the cards.
A fifth and converted try edged them ever nearer and whilst Vinnie Everitt was also carded just before the final whistle time was up and a topsy turvy game ended with TJs taking the spoils .
With both Dorking and Guernsey losing TJs lead at the top of N2E at the halfway point of the season and by 7 points although both have a game in hand. TJs bring the curtain down on their 2024 efforts next Saturday when Colchester visit The Slade for a 2pm KO
The all weather track will always suit the pacey TJ squad and their lightning start saw them earn a try bonus point and a 3-26 lead within the first 20 minutes. Howard Packman kicked things off after just two minutes and was swiftly followed by tries from Curtis Barnes and Hugo Culverhouse with Packman adding a second. Sam Evans converted three whilst Oxford could only muster a penalty goal despite their best efforts.
TJs were quite literally on fire and in a hurry and all Oxford's best efforts to slow the ball down in the tackle and more they simply could not keep TJs from attacking from deep or creating simple chances which they finished off with ease.
Oxford managed a converted try just before the half hour mark but from the restart TJs struck again through Will Holling and shortly afterwards Duncan Tout finished off a move down the right and TJs went in 10-40 in the lead. Job done it seemed or so some perhaps thought.
That belief shone even brighter as Harrison Sims and Will Holling added rapid tries within the first 10 minutes of the second half starting. With Evans converting all but one of the day's tries for TJs and it seemed that they were indeed home and hosed at 10-54 even with half an hour to go.
To their credit Oxford hadn't given up the game and their efforts to match and better TJs pacey game were rewarded as they dotted down three tries of their own and two conversions in the third quarter. And with Will Holling yellow carded they sensed a losing bonus point might be on the cards.
A fifth and converted try edged them ever nearer and whilst Vinnie Everitt was also carded just before the final whistle time was up and a topsy turvy game ended with TJs taking the spoils .
With both Dorking and Guernsey losing TJs lead at the top of N2E at the halfway point of the season and by 7 points although both have a game in hand. TJs bring the curtain down on their 2024 efforts next Saturday when Colchester visit The Slade for a 2pm KO
Further reading