Rugby: Army withstand late rally from rusty Blues

Oxford University looked rusty as they went down to the Army at Iffley Road last night in their first outing since December's Varsity match at Twickenham.

The Army started much the stronger with their forwards winning a steady stream of possession, and they were soon six points up with two penalties from fly half Rob Sweeney.

Tries from prop Steve Tretheway and No 8 Isoa Damudama, plus one conversion, increased the lead to 18-0 before the Dark Blues hit back with a John Bradshaw try following a scintillating break from captain Kevin Tkachuk.

The second half could not have started better for the home side when, with only three minutes gone, Tkachuk was driven over after a five-metre line-out and fly half Graham Barr added the conversion.

For the remainder of the match Oxford dominated territory and possession, with second row Dave Lubans outstanding in both the tight and loose, while the backs looked sharp.

However, each time the Blues looked like scoring, a dropped ball, forward pass or last-ditch tackle keep the Army line intact.

With two minutes left, it looked as though Oxford would get the score they deserved when full back Jon Rivers cut through and was about to give a scoring pass to Tkachuk when he was caught in a smother tackle.

Oxford Univ: J Rivers, J Bradshaw, S Douglas, A Magro, K Dixon, G Barr, P Jenkins, T Hayman, R Woods, C Abbott, A Harris (C Hadfield 40), D Lubans, M Street (H Nwume 60), A Dalgleish, K Tkachuk.