In a pulsating encounter at Iffley Road, the Royal Navy showed their class to emerge victorious in a back-and-forth battle, eventually securing a 40-36 win over the Blues.
The night was cold with the Iffley Road faithful in attendance. The game had an unmistakable air of grandeur, with Britain's oldest and most prestigious armed service coming for a showdown with her oldest and most prestigious university.
In a change from the norm, the team in dark blue at Iffley this night was not in fact the students, with the home side graciously instead wearing white, avoiding the disastrous kit clash that could've been given two teams named after the same colour.
As the game kicked off, the return of Zenden Rozenbroek to Oxford's ranks made immediate waves, with the enforcer announcing his presence in typically physical fashion. With one of the Navy ranks heading to the medical room within the opening exchanges. The Navy however, quickly drew first blood, their pack demonstrating their power by driving over from a maul in the sixth minute.
The Blues responded in kind, with the returning Rozenbroek emerging from a rolling maul to level the scores, Bridgewater adding the extras. Unfortunately the visitors quickly re-established their advantage, nipping over off a dominant scrum to retake the lead.
The first half territory continued to swing back and forth. Hartigan saw yellow for a high challenge, and after a number of minutes of brutal Oxford defence, the Navy scrum-half spotted his chance, taking a quick tap penalty to dart under the posts, extending their lead to 21-7.
Not to be outdone, Fergus Dick decided to play battering ram, breaking through three defenders to bring the Blues back within striking distance. The Navy pack continued to make great use of their size advantage, and capitalised on a faltering Oxford scrum to secure their fourth try before some Oxford piggy magic on the stroke of halftime sent Mike O'Donnell over in the corner, leaving the score at 28-19 to the visitors as the teams returned to the sheds.
The second half opened with Oxford finding their rhythm, and captain Luke Wyllie soon made good on the territory, dragging 4 defenders over the line to bring his side within two points. Yet just as the home side seemed to be gaining momentum, the Navy struck again, crossing for their fifth.
After a dangerous ruck clear out, the visitors saw another yellow, and the students took full advantage, with Joel Anjorin storming over the line to see Oxford take the lead for the first time at 36-33, setting up a grandstand finish.
But the Navy had one final charge in their arsenal. With time running out, their pack mustered one last effort, their maul proving unstoppable as they powered over for what would prove to be the winning score. A dominant scrum in the 80th minute allowed them to run down the clock and secure a victory.
The dark blues were unfortunate to miss out on a win, but will be looking to learn lessons and even further up their physicality in preparation for the fast approaching varsity on March 8. Tickets available here
The Blues are back in action on Wednesday 19th February against the world's most travelled rugby tour in the form of the Penguins with tickets available here.
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