The UON men’s Rugby Union team got their season off to the perfect start yesterday with a 45-5 win over the University of Staffordshire.

Although the conditions were more suited to ducks than rugby, The Bears triumphed in a near-flawless display.

credit: UON men’s Rugby Union

The first half started with both teams very nervy on the ball, featuring many handling errors and knock-ons as players got used to the feeling of the ball in such conditions.

After the 10 minute-mark, The Bears started to flow, which saw the first and second tries scored by number eight Joe Osivwemu. The second notably scored from an unorthodox lineout move.

Staffordshire fought back with a try of their own, but UON never looked like losing control of the game as Osivwemu brought up his hat-trick and fourth try, with winger Sam Cowan scoring the fifth of the match as the half-time whistle ended a half dominated by the away side.

The second half started as the first ended with UON very on top and adapting to a kicking-based game to take advantage of the torrid conditions. 

The game did begin to get heated following a yellow card for lock Ben Lazenby for an off-the-ball tackle, but it didn’t affect the scoreline in Staffordshire’s favour as Osivwemu crossed the try-line for his fifth try of the match.

Debutant fly-half Evan Wyatt finished off the rout with a very impressive try, scoring following his own kick to show that The Bears really can do it on a rainy afternoon in Stoke.