Oxford University defeated the Collegiate All-Americans 20-18 on Saturday in Chester, PA, in a game that was exactly what the tourists and the hosts needed.

Both teams challenged each other, and while neither was perfect in its execution, each squad produced some exciting rugby. The All-Americans struggled in their set piece and lost the ball far too much in contact but did well to out-muscle Oxford in tight. The Americans also produced some promising attacks out wide, but Oxford was stronger in the scrum and maul and passed a little more crisply to win out.

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The All-Americans began the game with possession and a long period of attack. Oxford handled it all pretty well and eventually jarred the ball loose for a turnover. And in fact it was the Blues who would break it open for a try. A nice run down the left wing set up scrumhalf Sam Edgerley. He was tackled just short of the line, but while he seemed to make an extra movement to reach over and touch it down, his tackler never released him. Referee Mike O'Brien gave the smart, and fair, call for an Oxford try.



The All-Americans came back and were close to scoring before they opted for a penalty attempt, which Nik Boyer put over. As the Blues were attacking on the right side late in the first half, All-American wing Cristian Rodriguez intercepted what might have been the try-creating pass and raced back the other way. Oxford's Alex Hogg got to Rodriguez before the wing made the tryline, but Rodriguez unleashed a nice sidestep to keep Hogg guessing and was in at the corner to give the All-Americans an 8-7 lead.

However, Oxford replied by counter-attacking off a turnover and scoring in the corner to reclaim the lead 12-8.

The All-Americans got a penalty back through Boyer, but Oxford held onto a slim lead.



That advantage was extended to 17-11 in the second half when the Blues shoved the scrum right over the All-American line, and No. 8 Will Wilson basically just had to fall on it.

Oxford caught a big break when one of its players (we think it was lock Huge McPherson but not sure) was penalized for a high tackle. Referee told Oxford captain Conor Kearns that the USA player had ducked, and so there was no yellow card. Live observation and replays showed there was no ducking. O'Brien's reluctance to produce a deserved yellow card certainly cost the All-Americans an advantage.

Still, the hosts did get a try right after. A brilliant chip and gather from Zach Young -- who was the All-Americans' best back on the day -- set up substitute forward Chad Gough, who wheeled and dealed his way through before setting up lock Matt Jensen for an excellent try. Duncan van Schalkwyk added the extras, and the All-Americans led 18-17.

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From there, though, O'Brien's judgment undercut the All-American effort. During the final 15 minutes, there were three borderline instances of hitting the man in the air. None was serious, and play could have been stopped for a penalty on each or just allowed to go on. O'Brien called a penalty on the All-Americans but let two hits in the air by Oxford go uncalled.

During one key sequence for Oxford, Brady Gent was called for offside when the ball had rolled several feet out of the back of the ruck, and Gent ran in to get it. Moments later, Gough poached a ball in the ruck about as legally as you can do it and drew a penalty even as Oxford dove down on Gough to prevent him from doing anything with the ball.

A penalty for the All-Americans there would have set them up for a strong scoring opportunity. Instead Oxford was on the front foot.

And then, finally, the two daggers from O'Brien, who will be refereeing several stops on the Sevens World Series this year. The All-Americans were attacking and gained a penalty near the Oxford 22. Sub scrumhalf Holden Yungert tapped quickly and off went the collegiates. However, O'Brien called Yungert back saying he hadn't tapped at the mark. Replays showed Yungert was spot-on. Why O'Brien brought him back is hard to explain. The call cost the All-Americans a chance at a try, and moments later, Oxford broke free.



Tackled inside the All-American 22, the Oxford player didn't release the ball and got back up before going down again and setting the ruck. It was a clear penalty but not called, and instead the All-Americans were hit with an offside penalty a phase later. Kearns, who had played with the All-Americans a year ago and now played against them, put over the penalty, and a few minutes later that was the game.

Had the All-Americans been able to retain possession in traffic and won their lineouts, they would have won. As it was, several players showed very well, led by Jensen, Peter Maclolm, Young, Kevin Sullivan at prop, and Gough.

With only a week of training as a team, the All-Americans struggled to put it together. Oxford, for its part, will come away pleased with how it held on in hot conditions against a physical All-American team.

Lineups Here