Norville’s goal wraps up scoring as Abbey prevail

ABBEY scored three tries in each half, but they had to work hard to defeat a spirited Oxford side in their Counties 1 Tribute Ale Southern North clash at North Hinksey last Saturday.

The visitors won the forward battle, with hooker Tom Wilkinson outstanding in the loose, but the home backs were creative and kept their side in the game until near the end.

Despite the result, Abbey have dropped one place in the table to seventh, with Oxford slipping from fourth to fifth.

Abbey started well and took an early lead with unconverted tries from outside half Reuben Norville and winger Alex Ashford. However, the home side hit back with tries from fullback Eliot Donaldson and speedy winger Jake Eadle, and when centre Ben Rowland converted Eadle’s try Oxford were in the lead.

Abbey regained the advantage thanks to a try from prop Adam Postlethwaite, and just before half-time centre Iwan John landed a penalty to put the visitors 18-12 up at the break.

Oxford narrowed the gap to a single point thanks to a try from hooker Dan Richards, but after home second row Dan Haywood was shown a yellow card Abbey quickly took advantage. They scored tries through number eight Mike Beckly and replacement Zac Mayo, one of which was converted by Ashford.

This gave them a 30-17 lead, but Oxford hit back, with Eadle again sprinting clear to score. Rowland kicked a touchline conversion to cut Abbey’s lead to six points, but the visitors powered ahead again with Wilkinson crowning a storming display with a deserved try. Ashford converted, and with Abbey now well on top Norville sealed the victory with a last-minute drop goal.

This was Abbey’s first ever league win at North Hinksey.

Abbey: M Boucher, L Clifford, C House, I John (T Martin, 40 mins), A Ashford, R Norville, S Wallis-Robinson (captain), D John (Z Mayo, 50 mins), T Wilkinson, A Postlethwaite (D John, 74 mins), J Knights, M Eldridge, D Carr, B Callaghan (S Bonnett, 40 mins), M Beckly.