Derbyshire’s last-minute try enough to secure Oratory the Newman Cup

CAPTAIN Rudi Derbyshire hailed an “unbelievable win” after his last-minute try helped Oratory squeeze past London Oratory 29-24 in a pulsating Newman Cup classic.

In front of a large crowd under the Grasshoppers RFC floodlights, the two sides played out a feverish opening before prop Alexis Carbrera Moreno wriggled over from close range for the Londoners.

Valentine Davies added the extras, but Oratory replied in fine style as they claimed the restart, two powerful carries enabling Ollie Butler to send Max Scheutz over on the left.

Max Hucker’s conversion attempt hit the post, but a sensational interception try by 18th birthday boy Adi Hector saw the centre race home from 55 metres for a seven-pointer.

The Yellow and Blacks continued to attack, but were hit with a stunning counter-attack as Robbie Power fed skipper Lorenzo Benini for an end-to-end equaliser.

And London Oratory hit the front early in the second period, Lorcan Moriarty from close range as their opponents were reduced to 14 men with Cruz Walker sin-binned following a series of team penalties.

The topsy-turvy nature of the contest continued as Seb Charles threw a long, floated pass to Hector to burst into the 22, his inside ball sending his midfield partner over the whitewash.

The kick was added for 19-17, and the Berkshire men pulled further clear as lovely hands from Walker and Derbyshire sent Hector over for his second.

Yet London Oratory refused to yield, a sensational pick-up off his laces from Aniello Capiello seeing him dot down before Davies landed an extraordinary touchline kick for 24-24.

However, at the end of a dramatic final 10 minutes, it was the home pack who held sway as they mauled Derbyshire over in the right-hand corner, Hucker’s strike hitting the post as the drama continued. Oratory, though, gathered the kick-off and booted the ball out to end the game.

Speaking after the game, Derbyshire said: “It’s unbelievable. All we talk about as a team is character in the last five to 10 minutes, and it’s what we did — we got the late try and then exited, it’s all I could ask.

“Our maul was good all game, the first one went more than
20 metres, and the centres were lively.

“Adi always seems to shine under the lights on the fast 4G, and Seb has stepped up well from the lower sixth. He’s been good all season.

“We’ve had a lot of close games and wins like these are what you practise for. We’re buzzing.”