RUGBY: Abingdon so thrilled to reach Shield final (From Herald Series)

RUGBY: Abingdon so thrilled to reach Shield final

7:37am Thursday 26th March 2009

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Abingdon captain Ronnie Booth spoke of his club’s delight at reaching the Oxfordshire Shield final after defeating Gos-ford All Blacks 18-14 at Lambrick Way on Sunday.

Booth’s men had to battle all the way after trailing 9-0, but showed great spirit in the second half.

The skipper said: “This is the first time we have made the final for many years. Everyone is bouncing at the moment.

“For a club like Abingdon, this is great. We are not as fashionable a club as others are locally.

“I can’t stop smiling. It is especially pleasing to beat our big rivals Gosford All Blacks.

“They put us to the sword in the first half.

“I don’t know if they took their foot off the gas, but we stuck at it and came good.”

Gosford started strongly and led 9-0 thanks to three penalties from youngster Ben Bodinham.

Abingdon hit back with a penalty from their fly half, Rob Milnes, just before half-time.

The hosts began to dominate the scrums, although Gosford lock Max Burbidge won good line-out ball.

Fly half, James Holburn, centres Dan Thiele and Harry Sutton and blindside flanker Alex Webb halted Abingdon with some good tackling.

But No 8 Mick Hedges scored a try from a well-controlled pushover and Milnes converted to make it 10-9.

Milnes added a penalty before Abingdon scrum half Paul Lemon nipped over for what proved the decisive try.

Gosford skipper Dan Hughes raced in for a late try, but Abingdon held on to earn a place against holders Blue Boar in the final at Iffley Road on Sunday April 26.

Skipper Sam Stoop scored two tries and four conversions as Blue Boar beat Littlemore 33-20.

Sam Cover, Will Sandbach and Henry Cruickshank also crossed for Boar.

Littlemore No 8 Kevin Watkins kept them in the game with an early try, while centre Aaran Williams and fly half Lee Gillett notched a conversion and penalty after the break.

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