Everybody loves Raymond in Alcuin Rugby triumph

Alcuin defeat James in college battle

Alcuin 13 - 10 James

With Saturday’s mist and chill came the glorious, fog-bound return of college rugby, seeing a dominant Alcuin hold off a late fightback from a solid James side.

Though hardly hospitable, the wintry weather was more than welcomed by the two teams given last year’s incomparably horrendous conditions. Kick-off having been delayed owing to difficulties in finding a referee, both teams were itching to get into action.

When the first James kick fell straight into the arms of flanker James Hargreaves, Alcuin started as they meant to go on: gaining and retaining possession well. Soon this early domination yielded points via the boot of winger Brad Voigt, who comfortably slotted two central penalties to calm some Alcuin nerves. Captain Giles Raymond’s early frustration with his pack for poor rucking gave way to assured satisfaction, as with fellow halfback Paul Guest he took a firm hold of the game.

After one early collapse threatened to set a precedent for poor technique, scrummaging was extremely well-disciplined. Both sides largely won their own ball, though Alcuin were able to turnover a few scrums, notably when no. 8 Ross Gehnich demonstrated excellent handling to throw the ball through his legs whilst still bound on, only for it to bounce forlornly into touch, having outwitted all. By contrast, line-outs – equally low on the penalty count – were one area where James clearly had the upper hand. With vice-captain Bruce Green simply taking one step forward at the front of the line, Alcuin just could not get the ball to their jumpers, and James stole throw after throw, whilst easily retaining their own put-in.

But the self-assured Alcuin remained unperturbed, and were again able to convert their good form into points when, having advanced to the James ten metre line, Guest won a clear penalty try for various offsides. Voigt duly converted to pile on more pressure, but the James defence was stern, continually frustrating Alcuin’s attempts to cross the line and keeping the score 13-0 at the break.

The second half saw James return to the pitch rejuvenated and positive, grabbing a greater share of possession and forcing play into the Alcuin half. With Raymond substituted and half the pack switched courtesy of the rolling subs rule, the defence became disjointed. Good kicking from various backs was unable to relieve the pressure, since James were in full control of the line-outs.

After twenty minutes of lacking coherence Alcuin appeared to concede possession entirely. Camped in the opposition’s 22, James began to harness the pace of their backs, and Rob Hanley’s foray towards the corner was only denied by a crunching double trysaver from Matt Bowyer and Jonny Barratt. Soon after, centre-cum-lock Johnathan Matlock was harshly sin-binned for not being back ten, despite the otherwise faultless referee having given no warning about continued infringements. After being reduced to fourteen men at the worst possible time, Alcuin were vastly overcommitting their pack to rucks, and even Raymond’s return to organise the defence could not stop James’ probing yielding points.

Will Maxwell, a back rower playing at hooker, exploited the pace and power of his normal position to run through a crowd of players and cross the whitewash. Though captain Seb Weir could not add the two points, James were now deservedly on the scoresheet, but far from content to remain behind. Assaulting the Alcuin lines again, Ben Forward made the last few crucial yards, but his corner touchdown proved too wide to be converted, and Alcuin remained ahead as the fulltime whistle touched the referee’s lips.

Speaking after the game, Weir was none too disappointed with his side: “Great performance by both sides, and I’m proud of the second half from James. Some early indiscipline cost us, and credit to Alcuin they took their chances." Opposing scrumhalf and captain Raymond saw much to praise too, saying, “It was a really good game – we dominated play in the first half, but in fairness to James they came back strongly late on. We did well to hang on, but I’m pleased.”

Throughout the day, the teams showed admirable college spirit, from sharing a dressing room before the game, through their fair, clean conduct on the pitch, right up to the bar of The Charles afterwards. Despite the banter, respect was the order of the day, and so it seems college rugby has taken an important step out of the shadow of its past. But more importantly than that, Alcuin and James played some excellent rugby, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves in the process.

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