Match report
From the club's own report · By Surjinder Johal
This game was totally dominated by the appalling weather conditions. It just rained and rained and rained. The initial playing field lined up for the game was a total wash out but the backup was not much better. Whatever game plans either team had were thrown out of the window as it became clear this would be one of those 'impossible to move the ball' days. The Hurricanes revised game plan was to score early, eliminate mistakes and hang on. That was achieved but only just.
Oxford's first drive ended when LB Mark 'The Terminator' King picked off a stray pass from QB Filipelli. Herts Alex 'Big Gun' Cameron hit Andrew Ward to take it inside the five from where Dawid 'Big Dawg' Ostrega took it in for the score. Dickie Savage added the PAT.
Soon after Savage intercepted another Cavaliers pass leading to a drive ended by a narrow Savage field goal miss. From then on it became aparent that the passing game was just not an option for either team. The Cavaliers came out with their wishbone line up and began pounding the ball. From a drive beginning at their own 20 they took it all the way to the Canes 3 yard line before a famous defensive stand kept them out. Oxford's points came when they blocked a Savage punt in the end zone for the safety.
At the start of the second half another time consuming Cavaliers drive was ended with another show of defensive beligerance. After that the conditions just became impossible and the teams could have played all day and neither would have scored.
Oxford proved by far the toughest opponents the Canes have come across this season and the scoreline could quite easily have been reversed. The game was played with true playoff intensity. After scoring early the Canes must be commended for having no fumbles and no interceptions. Score early, keep hold of the ball and hang on.
For weeks the coaching staff have warned their players of the level of intensity required at this stage in the season and finally they responded. The outstanding performers were LB King who finally showed up to play with some huge defensive plays and Ostrega whose all round performance was superb.
Next week brings Jake Box's Cobras to town for the Southern Conference Final. It doesn't get much better than this.