Despite conceding an early penalty, The Oratory quickly found their rhythm. Captain Tappan capitalized on a well-executed catch and drive to score the team’s first try, showcasing excellent awareness in a tight contest.

The lead grew midway through the first half when left winger Hector powered down the touchline, combining pace and strength to finish impressively in the corner. As the first half neared its conclusion, The Oratory continued to pile pressure on Shiplake, with Vallebona and Wild coming close to extending the lead. It was, however, Monye who seized the moment, using his slick footwork to weave his way under the posts for a well-deserved try, which he duly converted himself.

After the break, The Oratory maintained their dominance. Their forwards controlled the set pieces, while fly-half Hucker consistently gained crucial field position with his tactical kicking. The pressure eventually paid off, as loosehead prop Hickling bulldozed over the line for his debut try with the 1st XV. Soon after, Derbyshire crossed in similar fashion, adding to the scoreboard.

The final try of the match was perhaps the highlight of the afternoon. Centre Jackson, a standout performer throughout, displayed his versatility with a perfectly placed kick, allowing Davies to sprint onto the ball and touch down with precision.

Oratory Head of Rugby, Mikey Hennessy, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s efforts: “I was very pleased with the boys’ performance. We played excellent rugby and showed that we can score in a variety of ways. I’m optimistic this can be another strong season for us.”