Durham victory over Oxfordshire

Durham County 23-21 Oxfordshire

Durham County opened their County Championship Shield campaign against Oxfordshire at Gateshead RFC with a tense game which saw Durham come from behind to win 23-21.

Both Durham and Oxfordshire battled to the end showing total commitment throughout and the never say die attitudes of the teams made for a nail biting finish.

Durham started strongly using their forwards to good effect. They crossed the gain line with ease and used rolling mauls to apply heavy pressure to the Oxfordshire line. On numerous occasions the ball carrying ability of flanker Tony Irwin (Sunderland) split the visitors defence and provided a host of scoring opportunities for Durham.

However, a combination of try saving tackles and poor handling prevented Durham from converting the pressure into points.

Despite Durham stamping their mark of authority on the game within the opening minutes, Oxfordshire drew first blood with a penalty from the big boot of fly-half Cathcart (Chinnor) after 10 minutes. Moments later the Durham's cause was dealt a blow with the loss of imposing second-row Muchall (Westoe) to injury.

Oxfordshire's early scares proved to be a wake-up call and they used Cathcart's boot to gain valuable field position. Cathcart extended the visitors lead with another penalty, but Durham fullback Glendenning (Darlington) replied with a penalty.

Another Cathcart penalty looked to have given Oxfordshire a healthy 9-3 advantage going into halftime, but Durham scrumhalf Stewart (Darlington) had other ideas.

A cheeky and well timed Stewart snipe from a maul inside the visitors 22 gave Durham an unconverted try on the stroke of halftime.

Durham again started strongly in the second half but again it was Oxfordshire that scored the first points of the half. Pacey winger Oyebadi nipped in at the corner to finish off a good backs move. Cathcart added the conversion for a 16-8 lead after 46 minutes.

Durham replied minutes later through a Glendenning penalty. However, Oxfordshire responded instantly when flanker Johnson (Reading) drove over from a quick tap to stretch the lead to 21-11.

Johnson's try after 56 minutes proved to be Durham's wake-up call and they narrowed the gap with an unconverted try. Number eight Holmes (Darlington Mowden Park)was driven over from a five metre lineout and the try kept Durham in touch.

Durham's chances of victory were enhanced when Oyebadi was sin binned for persistent offside. Minutes after Oyebadi left the field Durham took full advantage.

Replacement Oselton (Darlington) charged through the Oxfordshire 22 and defence to score a try. Paul Lee (Darlington) added the conversion and Durham managed to hang on for a 23-21 win.

Durham travel to play North Midlands at Stourbridge RFC on Saturday 14th May, 3pm kick-off.