ON THIS DAY - SEPTEMBER 27

On this day in history in…

1930 – ORs opened the season with a visit to Oxford Nomads at their new Iffley ground, but had to settle for a 13-8 reverse.

They had the better of the first half, but could only manage a 5-0 interval advantage.

These points came from a brilliant break by Ball, who scored between the posts for Huggins to convert.

Although the visitors’ pack tired after the break, Rippingale’s try made it 8-8 before poor defence let Nomads in for the winner.

1947 – Old Redingensians suffered a 35-0 thrashing in their opening game of the season at Oxford.

The size of the score-line was no fault of the forwards as they performed with credit with Micky Horler the pick of the pack.

The damage was done in the backs, where Oxford were far sharper.

1952 – A fast, hard-working pack laid the foundations of a 14-0 win away to Old Oxford Citizens.

It was well led by Ted Davis as good scrummaging and forward rushes paid off.

In the backs, the ever-dangerous Ray Fullbrook crossed twice and added one conversion, while other tries came from Robin Edgar and Peter Mundy.

1956 – The boys in blue slipped to a 3-0 reverse to REME Arborfield.

1958 – The Sonning men squandered a six-point interval advantage at home to Bec Old Boys and had to settle for a 9-9 draw.

The direct approach by their backs led to tries from Waters and Norman Wiseman, but a disastrous spell after the break saw the visiting side edge in front.

However, Quinn grabbed a share of the spoils when he took advantage of a defensive error.

1969 – Gensians lost 27-3 at Ruislip.

1975 – A penalty try converted by Mike Bossart and a further score from Chris Champion helped Redingensians to a 10-0 home success against Oxford Marathon.

1980 – The Sonning men slumped to a third defeat in succession.
They lost 12-9 at Oxford Marathon after Russell Tiller seemingly had a valid try ruled out.
Evelyn Daniel managed to get on the scoresheet, while Chris Vaal added a conversion and penalty.

1986 – Graham Smith, Dickie Porter, Tailford and Mark Stevens all crossed the whitewash as Redingensians overcame Centaurs 28-9, Graham Tibbett completing the scoring with three conversions and two penalties.

1987 – Gensians lost 25-21 at home to a Berkshire XV.

1992 – Matt Flannigan claimed 12 points consisting of a try, two conversions and a penalty, but the visitors went down 24-17 at Dorchester, Andrew also crossing the whitewash for the away side.

1997 – Redingensians became the early Berkshire, Dorset & Wiltshire One pace-setters with an eight-try blitz of visitors Corsham in a 52-7 drubbing.

They led 19-0 at the break through tries from Shane Tawera, skipper Dave Cox and Nick Flynn.

After the break Greg Frost bagged a brace and there were also tries from Matt Gray and Paul Tatum to add to the Wiltshire side’s misery, while Cox’s six conversions took his match tally to 17 points.

2003 – Paul Mackay’s 25-point haul plus a Dan Russell hat-trick steered Rams to a 70-16 Southern Counties South away demolition of Bournemouth.

They trailed in the second minute before launching a 10-try onslaught taking a 30-13 lead at the break.

Also on the try sheet were Seb Reynolds (two), Andy Saunders, Craig Clements, 39-year-old veteran Frankie Richardson, Tony Garner and Mackay, who in addition landed seven conversions and two penalties.

2008 – Rams put Oxford Harlequins to the sword with a 55-7 home win.

Tom Allen bagged a brace and Gus Davies, Jez Flynn, Jevon Marsh, Se Reynolds, Ollie Randall, Peter Freeth and Joao Costa also dotted down as the hosts cruised to victory, Freeth completing the scoring with five conversions.

2014 – Doubles from Olly Poole and Gus Davies, added to by further tries from Mikey Kruzycki, Ben Henderson, Andy Amor and Azza Hopkins led Rams to a 52-17 success at Chard, James Brooks slotting seven conversions.

For the full report, click here

*Historical research by Nigel Sutcliffe