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January 18 2004 |
Oxford | ||
| Liban Espoir |
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Tries
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Goals
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MATCH REPORT:
118 th of January, 2004 - The second test of the tour was played at the University Stadium at Balamand, a fabulous brand new facility carved into the sheer mountain face. Playing at altitude, with several notable injuries to the Oxford side, notably prop James Woolrich, Liban Espoir appeared to have a real chance of causing a major upset.
However, what looked like a close encounter on paper was belied by the performance on the pitch. Adrian Clark opened the scoring, showing a devastating turn of pace during a 70m weaving run to put Oxford ahead after five minutes, and he continued to make valuable yards from loose forward earning him man of the match. Espoir ran and defended strongly as they had earlier in the week. They received their reward when Rudi Hachache scored for the second time in the series, lessening the score margin with a typically incisive drive late in the first half.
The second half opened with another try from the tour's top try-scorer Jonny Clayton. Having been injured earlier, Hanson passed kicking responsibility to Jonny Gorry who took on the challenge by converting Clayton try. Ten minutes later he was called up again to convert another scored by big man Joe Clark, who also claimed the biggest hit of the tour dump tackling the Lebanese centre who struggled to get back up again. Tempers started to fray as the second half progressed and the Lebanese became increasingly frustrated as the game slipped away from them. Oxford's greater experience told in these loose moments, as their more restrained temperament enabled them to capitalize from the Lebanese errors.
At 20-4, in the 60th minute, the game was really out of Espoir's reach. However the studen ts managed to produce a final flourish to entertain the crowd. After a sustained period of pressure, Adrian Clark broke loose and cantered over for a final score fourteen minutes before the end. The final score at the University of Balamad was Liban Espoir 4, Oxford 24.
Oxford President Matt Scaife heaped praise on the opponents after the second test. "Not only have the Lebanese RL been excellent hosts, showing us some of the greatest sights of a remarkable country, they have also given us two first-rate rugby fixtures. The young guys who have come out here have had a fantastic opportunity to learn a great deal about sport and culture in general."