Rugby
RUGBY UNION: Team of season revealed
Oxfordshire's top side Chinnor are the best represented in my team of the season.
South West 1 champions Chinnor have five in the starting XV, and are now at the same level as Henley.
The score next to each player is their average from the oxfordmail.co.uk numbers' game this season, but my selection is not based purely on this.
All players are judged against the level they play at.
It is obviously a subjective matter and no doubt many readers will want to take issue with me.
This is why the following have made the team.
BACK THREE
Chinnor full back Ben Hewitt missed the final weeks of the season after signing for Eastern Suburbs in Canberra, Australia.
But the 19-year-old had already done more than enough to earn his place with some elusive running and much-improved defence.
Tom Hall is selected on the wing, but impressed in a number of positions as part of Chipping Norton's free-scoring backline.
Hall always looked to be positive.
The other wing, Phil Huxford, only joined Chinnor in January, but made such an impact that he forced his way into my team.
Huxford has pace to burn and bagged a try-haul many would be happy with for a whole campaign.
CENTRES
John Rollason gets the nod over Wallingford's Henry Pooler for his consistency. A vital cog in Bicester's promotion team.
With Andy Henley only around for a few months, Beau Wilson emerged from his shadow as Oxford Harlequins' midfield playmaker.
A regular try-scorer, he never allowed defences to settle.
HALF BACKS
Fly half Adam Smith missed Chipping Norton's title clincher through injury, but was a major player for them all season. He showed a bit more creativity than Chinnor's James Cathcart.
Anthony Cope again showed why is the county's No 1 scrum half and benefited from playing behind a more solid pack.
Quins' captain was consistently sharper than his rivals.
FRONT ROW
Joe Winpenny (Chinnor) wins back his place at loose-head prop after some bull-dozing displays. Could go far if he stays disciplined.
There was no outstanding candidate at hooker, but Wallingford's Tom Hill gets the nod because of his better running game. He will need to shore up his basics if Wallingford are promoted.
Chinnor's Tom Whelan had been a super-sub in previous seasons, but took his chance at tight-head this campaign.
Whelan scrummaged better than his height suggests and revelled in the loose.
SECOND ROW
Bicester's Dan Spencer deserved a place in the team - it was just a case of where to select him. Whether at lock, flanker, No 8 or even in the backs, Spencer was always a menace to opponents and kicked the odd conversion!
Wallingford's Mike Turner joined from Grove and was a big catalyst up front. Many tried to stop him, most failed.
BACK ROW
This was the toughest area to select, but Phil Rowe was the obvious pick at blindside flanker.
Arguably Quins' player-of-the-season, he rarely let his workrate drop.
Chipping Norton's Matt Dawson scored a sackful of tries as a rampaging openside, giving his pack real cutting edge.
Zane Winslade alternated between No 7 and 8 for Chinnor, but gets the latter spot here for his intelligent link play and all-round skills.
6:14pm Wednesday 23rd April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Tweedledum, Oxford on 6:46pm Wed 23 Apr 08
Farcical...If you actually came to watch the Green army Mr Mazzetti, no doubt your team would be different. The only Matt Dawson I know of any note has long retired!!
Farcical...If you actually came to watch the Green army Mr Mazzetti, no doubt your team would be different. The only Matt Dawson I know of any note has long retired!!
Posted by: Frank, Oxford on 10:18pm Wed 23 Apr 08
How can you pick Cope? He is so dirty, so many punches from such a small man, must be [bold]small man syndrome[/bold] !
How can you pick Cope? He is so dirty, so many punches from such a small man, must be
small man syndrome !
Posted by: 1 eyed Minotaur, Olympia on 12:38pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Frank, cool it, shouting won't help get attention
Its called younger brother syndrome, watch out !
Its got nothing to do with size. The guys always smiling and makes you feel good when he's dishing it or taking it. Good old fashioned manners and he was obviously brought up the right way.
Mez
Phil the Dub said he owes it all to spinach and blarney and dedicates his selection to the old fella.
Rons trophy is going in for an exntension to be built for Henley and Rowe, solid golden ears and boots will be grafted on to the figurine.
A far as the Green army it wont be long before your in contention again.
Frank, cool it, shouting won't help get attention
Its called younger brother syndrome, watch out !
Its got nothing to do with size. The guys always smiling and makes you feel good when he's dishing it or taking it. Good old fashioned manners and he was obviously brought up the right way.
Mez
Phil the Dub said he owes it all to spinach and blarney and dedicates his selection to the old fella.
Rons trophy is going in for an exntension to be built for Henley and Rowe, solid golden ears and boots will be grafted on to the figurine.
A far as the Green army it wont be long before your in contention again.
Posted by: Des, Sunningdale on 2:30pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Mez
Would you like a fully certified assistant next year to handle your numbers as they may need professional backup when the Auditors start the Spanish Inquisition ?
I've heard Caroles been in the wings and looking for a more hands on role in Oxfordshires Rugby circles.
Mez
Would you like a fully certified assistant next year to handle your numbers as they may need professional backup when the Auditors start the Spanish Inquisition ?
I've heard Caroles been in the wings and looking for a more hands on role in Oxfordshires Rugby circles.
Posted by: Rugby Neutral, Oxford on 6:05pm Thu 24 Apr 08
One has to ask questions of Mezzetti's knowledge not only of all the teams he is selecting from throughout the county but simply his knowledge of rugby as a sport. Week upon week we read his tosh, is it not about time we had a credible editor?
One has to ask questions of Mezzetti's knowledge not only of all the teams he is selecting from throughout the county but simply his knowledge of rugby as a sport. Week upon week we read his tosh, is it not about time we had a credible editor?
Posted by: Bicester Front Row, bicester on 11:15pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Rollason and Spencer good choice. But dont pick Dan at bloody second row. He [bold]doesnt push[/bold] ,hes just looking for try scoring glory
Rollason and Spencer good choice. But dont pick Dan at bloody second row. He
doesnt push ,hes just looking for try scoring glory
Posted by: Oxford Mail Reader, The Village on 8:47am Fri 25 Apr 08
[quote]One has to ask questions of Mezzetti's knowledge not only of all the teams he is selecting from throughout the county but simply his knowledge of rugby as a sport. Week upon week we read his tosh, is it not about time we had a credible editor?[/quote]
A tad harsh on Ed one feels!
Granted sometimes he doesn't get it right but as players, supporters and coaches aren't we all a little quilty of this also???
One has to ask questions of Mezzetti's knowledge not only of all the teams he is selecting from throughout the county but simply his knowledge of rugby as a sport. Week upon week we read his tosh, is it not about time we had a credible editor?
A tad harsh on Ed one feels!
Granted sometimes he doesn't get it right but as players, supporters and coaches aren't we all a little quilty of this also???
Posted by: Rugby Neutral, Oxford on 5:35pm Fri 25 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Oxford Mail Reader[/bold] wrote:
[quote]One has to ask questions of Mezzetti\'s knowledge not only of all the teams he is selecting from throughout the county but simply his knowledge of rugby as a sport. Week upon week we read his tosh, is it not about time we had a credible editor?[/quote] A tad harsh on Ed one feels! Granted sometimes he doesn\'t get it right but as players, supporters and coaches aren\'t we all a little quilty of this also???[/quote] I may have to concede there..
Oxford Mail Reader wrote:
One has to ask questions of Mezzetti\'s knowledge not only of all the teams he is selecting from throughout the county but simply his knowledge of rugby as a sport. Week upon week we read his tosh, is it not about time we had a credible editor?
A tad harsh on Ed one feels! Granted sometimes he doesn\'t get it right but as players, supporters and coaches aren\'t we all a little quilty of this also???
I may have to concede there..
Posted by: Man In The Distant Stand, The Stand on 3:17am Mon 28 Apr 08
I have read a number of comments all season that are nothing but derogatory and negative. Although not big on assumption from what I can gather most that provide opinion are "supporters" rather than current players or officials of the game. I have no problem with light hearted banter or club loyalty, I condone it. I do however take issue with those that have not only nothing positive to say but take it to the very negative to the point of personal attacks. Everyone has a right to disagree, but unless you do so with valid points, who do you think will listen to you. Some of you should take a hard look in the mirror and realise that you are a bad advertisement for the game that many of us enjoy. Ed - I appreciate your reporting for what it is worth. To those completely negative critics, maybe the older you get the better you were? [bold]Disagree constructively, it isn't that hard if you really know what your talking about![/bold]
I have read a number of comments all season that are nothing but derogatory and negative. Although not big on assumption from what I can gather most that provide opinion are "supporters" rather than current players or officials of the game. I have no problem with light hearted banter or club loyalty, I condone it. I do however take issue with those that have not only nothing positive to say but take it to the very negative to the point of personal attacks. Everyone has a right to disagree, but unless you do so with valid points, who do you think will listen to you. Some of you should take a hard look in the mirror and realise that you are a bad advertisement for the game that many of us enjoy. Ed - I appreciate your reporting for what it is worth. To those completely negative critics, maybe the older you get the better you were?
Disagree constructively, it isn't that hard if you really know what your talking about! Posted by: Barrell, Thame on 8:39am Mon 28 Apr 08
I have to say I have had banter with Ed all season. I for one beleive he has done an excellent job in covering Rugby around the Oxford area. He has done such a grand job that the Oxford Harlequins have made him 1st team press secretary next year. Any way well done Ed lets see you at Chinnor a little more next season.
I have to say I have had banter with Ed all season. I for one beleive he has done an excellent job in covering Rugby around the Oxford area. He has done such a grand job that the Oxford Harlequins have made him 1st team press secretary next year. Any way well done Ed lets see you at Chinnor a little more next season.
Posted by: Moneypenny, North Oxford on 12:28pm Mon 28 Apr 08
I'm writing on behalf of Quins real Press Secretary to confirm that Big Rog is head honcho and that Ed is completely professional in his handling of post match reporting. In Rugby terms "R" has got better with age like a fine old Port. "Q's" working on a WiFi tweed suit to get him fully connected with the internet.
I'm writing on behalf of Quins real Press Secretary to confirm that Big Rog is head honcho and that Ed is completely professional in his handling of post match reporting. In Rugby terms "R" has got better with age like a fine old Port. "Q's" working on a WiFi tweed suit to get him fully connected with the internet.
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