Yesterday’s match saw our 1st XV rugby boys gain an important 17-10 victory against Bedford Modern to seal their place in the sixth round of the Natwest Schools Cup
Bloxham advanced into the sixth round for the second year in succession with a hard-fought 17-10 victory at Bedford Modern yesterday afternoon. Up against a strong pack which used the driving maul to good effect, Bloxham shocked a big home crowd with two well-taken tries in the first fifteen minutes from Archie Mansfield and Jack Briggs (thanks to a superb inside pass from George Grieve). Bedford Modern struck back with a penalty and converted try after sustained forward pressure to reach half-time 12-10 down. Bloxham had to play in their own half for almost the entire second half but, thanks to epic defence and tremendous pressure, which repeatedly forced errors from the home side, no more points were conceded and Bloxham were able to score one more try of their own. This try came about through a superb effort from Jack Ellis, following a strong run down the wing from Mansfield after he gathered a loose kick. Ultimately, the difference between the two sides was, as in the previous round, Bloxham’s ruthlessness with the few chances they got, along with a gutsy effort from the forwards, not least the hard-working second row of Fin Smith and Harry Moir.’ This was a great team effort; the next round looks a tough task for Bloxham, but one they richly deserve after this stirring victory.
Tries: A. Mansfield, J. Briggs, J. Ellis
Conversion: W. Gurney (1)
Photography: Simon Grieve