Albanian bounce back to edge out Harlequins

■By HAMISH OGILVY

Oxford H……………….32

Old Albanian………..38

Old Albanian bounced back from their narrow opening round defeat to Henley with Michael Bond’s late try enough to see off Oxford Harlequins in a hard-fought contest.

It started confidently for the away side with Charlie Fleckney storming over the line within five minutes of kick-off, Sam Jones adding the extras.

Quins found their rhythm and James Roberts guided a powerful maul over the line.

Old Albanian responded to the challenge with Sam Stirling and Jones touching down within minutes of each other after capitalising on Quins’ mistakes. Jones converted both it make it 21-5.

The first-half was concluded with a try apiece, Thomas Walton for the home side and Stephen Hihetah for Old Albanian.

The second-half scoring was started by Old Albanian’s Toby Ponsford, with Jones once again adding the extras.

Quins ended an incredible run of phases with a try from Edward Yeates down the left, Ewan Fox adding the conversion.

Quins followed that up with rampaging tries from Willo Bicknell and Jonathan Hughes, reducing the deficit to two points.

But Old Albanian saw Bond’s try converted to pull away just out of reach and despite Fox’s last-minute penalty, Old Albanian held on for the victory.

REFEREE: Alex Rose

ATTENDANCE: 223

Star man Toby Haines -Oxford Harlequins