Magdalen College have no answer as Oratory ease to comfortable victory

THE Oratory School geared up for a Berkshire County Cup showdown against Piggott School with a hard-fought 12-0 Friday night lights victory versus Magdalen College on a rainy evening at Oxford RFC.

The Woodcote side took an early lead as Max Hucker’s pinpoint cross-field kick was claimed by Wilf Quinn, the wing dotting down before Seb Charles landed a touchline conversion.

In difficult conditions both teams gave their all, but it was Oratory who came closest to extending their lead, captain Rudi Derbyshire getting over the line only for his effort to be ruled out for a double movement. With the rain falling ever more heavily, much of the first half was a game of kick-tennis, with Oratory generally having the better of the exchanges.

And while it remained 7-0 at the break, diminutive scrum-half Ethan Shuttleworth extended his side’s advantage early in the second period.

The number nine spotted a gap on the blindside of a ruck and scooted round the outside of a would-be defender to make it a two-score game.

From there Oratory controlled things well with Max Schuetz dominating the back field as his side defended well to secure victory.