Oxford RL 16-58 York City Knights
Dry Leas (Henley RFC)
13/07/14
Att: 170
Well, I kept to my word. 10 weeks since my last blog post I blew the dust off my camera and headed out for my first game of the 2014/15 calendar season, and it wasn't even for football. This season was always going to be a quiet one on the 'hopping front, but I am seriously lacking in motivation. Sure I've booked Aldershot away games, even if BT are trying to ruin it for everyone, but I have no desire to dabble in neutral games. In all likelihood I wouldn't have bothered with this fixture but for a change in venue and a couple of York supporting friends coming down.
Oxford RL are a relatively new team, formed in 2012, joining the 3rd tier of the Rugby League pyramid in 2013. This year also saw Hemel Stags and Gloucestershire All-Golds. Going into the game Oxford languished towards the bottom of the league. The visitors, relegated from the Championship at the back end of last season were on their fourth away game on the trot and looking to continue their march to returning at the first time of asking.
Off I went on the 10 mile journey down the road to Dry Leas, home of Henley RFC. Normally Oxford play at Iffley Road Stadium, famed for being next to the place where Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile, however it was undergoing pitch repair meaning Oxford vacated to nearby Henley. Despite the assertion of some, it's a nice little venue. Enclosed by foliage the focal point is a small, raised, stand straddling halfway. The rest of the ground is hard-standing safe for an elevated step on one side, a box dubbed the 'Conacchia Stand' and the clever use of a Tesco Trolley park into a disabled stand.
In terms of the game, I'd say I got value for my £6 admission, as the visitors romped their way into a comfortable victory. The pace was set early on when York went over for the first time. Despite Oxford pulling it back at times, that extra touch of class was to be the difference. This was perhaps exemplified best on the stroke of half time when Dent out jumped three Oxford players and sprinted 90 metres for his second try of the game. By the 60th minute York had taken their foot off the gas, with the points heading back to Yorkshire. Standout player was Brad Day, who has now scored 5 tries in his last two games.
Oxford RL are a relatively new team, formed in 2012, joining the 3rd tier of the Rugby League pyramid in 2013. This year also saw Hemel Stags and Gloucestershire All-Golds. Going into the game Oxford languished towards the bottom of the league. The visitors, relegated from the Championship at the back end of last season were on their fourth away game on the trot and looking to continue their march to returning at the first time of asking.
Off I went on the 10 mile journey down the road to Dry Leas, home of Henley RFC. Normally Oxford play at Iffley Road Stadium, famed for being next to the place where Roger Bannister broke the 4 minute mile, however it was undergoing pitch repair meaning Oxford vacated to nearby Henley. Despite the assertion of some, it's a nice little venue. Enclosed by foliage the focal point is a small, raised, stand straddling halfway. The rest of the ground is hard-standing safe for an elevated step on one side, a box dubbed the 'Conacchia Stand' and the clever use of a Tesco Trolley park into a disabled stand.
In terms of the game, I'd say I got value for my £6 admission, as the visitors romped their way into a comfortable victory. The pace was set early on when York went over for the first time. Despite Oxford pulling it back at times, that extra touch of class was to be the difference. This was perhaps exemplified best on the stroke of half time when Dent out jumped three Oxford players and sprinted 90 metres for his second try of the game. By the 60th minute York had taken their foot off the gas, with the points heading back to Yorkshire. Standout player was Brad Day, who has now scored 5 tries in his last two games.