Sun 17 Dec 2023, 11:00
Despite missing a few players due to end of term holidays and injury The Bears travelled to an unknown Oxford Harlequins for thier last fixture of 2023 with some confidence. Losing 2 forwards overnight left them with a reduced squad of 18, but with Quins also depleted, we were hopeful of a competitive game. Without sounding bitter, sometimes you just have to admit a poor performance and sadly it was the official that took this accolade today. When the opposition apologise several times it says it all but despite some early questionable decisions we stuck with him in the hope there would be some consistency for both sides, this wasnt to be and throughout the game The Bears were constantly pinged for genuinely questionable reasons which baffled both sets of coaches and supporters alike and ultimatley these were to cost The Bears the game with them resulting in either a try for Quins or a disallowed try for The Bears.
3 mins Try for Quins following a missed knock on resulting in The Bears being penalised for handling on the floor 5-0.
A few mins later The Bears were on the backfoot again with a strong run from Quins through some non existent tackles, fortunatley some direct running saw the player run into the last line of defence where Stan N made a try saving tackle at full back.
16 mins in and a kick through from Gabe was well chased by Piers who was able to pick up the loose ball and score in the corner. Gabe adding the extra 2, 5-7
Some pretty even play followed until after 28mins and The Bears chose to kick a penalty in front of the posts with Gabe kicking the 3 points 5-10
2 mins later following another penalty Quins worked well to get the ball wide to score in the corner. 10-10
Half Time 10-10
The 2nd half was a scrappy affair and with Qunis being reduced to 13 through injury, in the spirit of rugby The Bears reduced to match. This allowed the game to open up for both teams and after 8mins Fin was a able to cover back and collect a Quins kick before shipping out to Duke who showed some good pace and footwork to score in the corner. conversion missed 5-15
10 mins later following a good steal a great nudge through from Sam playing his first club game at 10 was well gathered by Piers who was able to put in a string run to go in under the posts for his 2nd. Gabe converting 10-22 and the game looked to be heading one way.
The ref however had other ideas as he disallowed what looked to be a perfectly good try as Ryan rumbled over and then after 25mins a free kick awarded at the scrum Quins were able to crash through with the added conversion taking it to 17-22 for a nervy last 5 mins.
The Bears were still confident but as they had shown for most of the half sadly their frustrations were getting the better of them. 2 mins later and due to the lacking No's Quins saw no FB at home and were able to kick and chase through for what turned out to be the winning score with a succesful conversion taking the final score to 24-22.
Such a shame as the boys played really well but with questionable decsions going against them it will be one of those games where they will need to reflect and ultimatley learn from the days activities.
Thanks to Quins for hosting, a great bunch of boys and coaches with the game played in the right spirits we hope to get a return fixture in later in the season, with a different body in the middle of course :)
Merry Christmas and we go again in 2024........
