Oxford Harlequins - 31
Old Patesians - 13
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Old Patesians clawed their way clear of the relegation zone with a hard fought and vital away victory over Oxford Harlequins in National League 3 South West.
Both sides had made an indifferent start to the current campaign with each recording only two wins from seven games but at the kick-off Pats sat one place above Quins by virtue of their bonus points haul.
The pitch at North Hinksey was wide, rock hard and flat with a stiff wind blowing from end to end and the Pats had the advantage of the elements in the first half.
Due to their ever-increasing list of injured players Pats were obliged to introduce newcomers to the team, some of which were playing out of their preferred positions, and they took time to settle.
Pats elusive free running centre George Hughes, a joy to watch with ball in hand, clearly does not enjoy his kicking duties and missed an easy chance for a penalty goal in the first minute.
Hughes was immediately dumped as first choice kicker and left wing Leo Fielding, on his debut, stroked over a penalty goal for the opening score when the Quins failed to take the scrum pressure from the Pats hugely impressive front row and collapsed when the squeeze came through.
The Pats forwards were magnificent from the start with the front row completely dominant in the scrummage and second row forwards Nathan Riley and Rob Fidler masterful in the line-outs.
Pats problems in the first half must be laid entirely at the feet of the half backs and the three-quarter line. They had oodles of possession from their rampant forwards but, thereafter, it was squandered with unacceptable profligacy time and again.
Fly half Matt Dean and Hughes both have huge talent but their decision making and running lines were too lateral and when isolated all forward momentum was lost.
The Pats little magician scrum half Matt Mudway made a glorious break and then muffed the chance of a try for his support with a foolish grubber to nowhere in particular.
As the passes were fumbled, knocked on or lost in contact Pats kept the scoreboard ticking over with youngster Fielding adding another penalty goal.
Pats forwards were evidently frustrated at the antics of their backs and decided to play some ‘up the jumper’ drives and take responsibility for adding to the score which their efforts fully deserved.
They drove into the Quins 22 and this time when the ball was released, Dean danced through a gap with a try wide out on the right.
Pats had not played well but led by 11 points to nil at the break.
Pats made a miserable start to the second half. Mudway knocked on from the kick-off and from the turnover scrum the ball was worked back to the Quins fly half Alex Stevenson for a delightful dropped goal.
Pats were openly embarrassed by their poor showing and then with collective concentration and a complete change in attitude they turned the game upside down with some real style and swagger.
The forwards set up drive after drive to rupture and suck in the Quins defence and the backs had a feast of quality ball which, at last, was moved from hand to hand without errors to set up the scoring chances.
Pats racked up three tries in ten minutes of wonderful rugby through winger James Aherne, Number Eight James Pettigrew and a second for Dean. Fielding, growing in confidence and stature as the game progressed, landed two conversions including a monster into the wind from the touchline.
With a bonus point secured for their four tries and the win seemingly wrapped up and in their pockets the Pats switched off and went into a doze.
Quins were not ready to lie down just yet and hit Pats hard with some exciting and quite spectacular champagne rugby. They managed two tries before the close through second row Will Clayton and replacement three-quarter Jack Cosins.
It was too little too late to catch up the Pats who at last had something to smile about after a few miserable weeks.
Man of the Match: Pats Prop forward – Connor Thompson
By Bob Ellis
