Derbyshire bags treble for free-scoring Oratory School

FLANKER Rudi Derbyshire dazzled with a hat-trick as The Oratory School beat Pangbourne College 49-5 under the lights at Rams RFC last Friday.

Nominally the home side, Oratory made a fast start as they capitalised on an early error from their opponents to kick to the corner, a well-controlled maul finishing with captain Cian Tappan dotting down.

It was a case of rinse and repeat for the hosts shortly after, Archie Wild this time the beneficiary before Somto Monye added the extras.

A third score arrived from another set-piece, Derbyshire opening his account as Oratory continued at more than a point per minute. Pangbourne grew into the game, however, only to shoot themselves in the foot when a defensive line-out was snaffled by Wild, the back row crossing the whitewash to establish a 22-0 half-time lead.

There was no let-up after the break as the Woodcote school pulled further clear, the influential Tappan firstly sending Debo Coker over on the right-hand side.

A clever line-out move — one occasionally used by Rams first XV — then saw Derbyshire throw short to Tappan, the ball sent back to the thrower to power over out wide. And the talented Derbyshire, who also plays age-group cricket for Oxfordshire, again benefited from a fabulous Tappan off-load to complete his treble soon after.

Monye added the extras for 39-0, but Pangbourne continued to battle and scored one of the best tries of the contest when Cam McKay finished on the left.

However, Oratory reasserted themselves and the pacy Tom Davies grabbed his side’s eighth score of the contest before Monye dived over for a final flourish.