MATCH REPORT: CENTAURS FALL TO UNBEATEN LEAGUE LEADERS

RAMS Centaurs went down to a harsh 38-14 defeat at unbeaten Counties One Tribute Southern North table-toppers Oxford Harlequins 2nd XV on Saturday.

The Cents – who had picked up their first-ever Level Seven victory at home to Milton Keynes the week before - came out of the blocks strongly and had an early chance to take the lead, Cameron George's 40-metre penalty just drifting wide.

Yet they continued to take the game to their hosts, only for centre Will Davis to score against the run of play with a long-range effort for Quins.
Joe Pigott added the extras before his side took a stranglehold on proceedings with two more quick-fire tries.

Scrum-half Pigott created the first, his sharp break freeing electric wing JJ Ntoni to cross for what became another seven-pointer, a powerful rolling maul then extending Oxford’s advantage to 19-0.

Centaurs, though, showed some heart and nearly got off the mark when Dan Bennett claimed a ball in his own 22, racing 60 metres up the field but unable to quite go the distance.

It did not take long for the visitors to score, however, prop Brad Killick taking a ball in the line-out and burrowing over from some 10 metres out for his first Rams’ try.

George was on target with a fine conversion, only for the hosts to seal the bonus-point before the break when centre Toby Butler cut a lovely line for Pigott to add the extras and a 16-7 half-time lead.

The hosts suffered a setback when Ed Myatt was yellow carded following a series of high tackles from his side, but they moved further in front when hooker Rhys Painton went over from close range.

A similar score followed, this time added to by Pigott, and with Bennett and Tom George both forced off through injury, the Cents were on the ropes.

Yet the visitors kept battling away and scored the try of the day to reduce the arrears, Jedd Paine – who was impressive throughout – getting a nice off-load away for lively replacement Ben Bolwell to race away for a deserved score.

George was again on target, but despite continuing to throw the ball around, Centaurs were unable to add to their tally.
The Mighty Cents have a week off before returning to action at third-placed Windsor on Saturday, November 4.