On Wednesday 18 January, Oundle School’s 1st XV Rugby team played in the final 32 of the Daily Mail Vase, beating Richard Hale School 21-7.
Captain, Henry Spencer (18) commented, “After a dominant, yet cagey opening spell, a sensational team score followed by two neatly executed 1 on 1’s, with Mark Robson (18) diving in at the corner and Sam Olver (17) slotting a penalty on the stroke of half time, the first half concluded with Oundle 13-0 in the lead.”
The second half started with Oundle pressuring, Richard Hale infringed and again Olver took 3 points. There followed a dominant period of pressure from the visitors. Although Oundle’s defence looked strong throughout, Hale were on Oundle’s line for almost 20 minutes until eventually the deadlock was broken when the number 8 barged his way over off the base.
Henry added, “Oundle’s response was quick and classy, Olver put in a perfectly weighted cross kick and gathered to dive in the corner. At 21-7 the game was certainly conclusive although Oundle rued their missed chances.
Head of Rugby, John Olver commented, “It has been difficult organising training sessions and playing the matches out of our normal rugby season, but the support of the Oundle staff has been superb. The 1st XV have been able to play with more freedom than in the normal season and the quality of rugby has been impressive.”
