The Jersey Cup

Bletchingdon: B. Fitzroy F. Savins E. Morriss H. Kenny H.Taylor H. Savins J. Kenny L. Kenny F. Saunders L. Taylor J. Barrett

Bletchingdon Scorers: F. Saunders 4 L. Kenny 1 J. Kenny 1

Launton: S. Sansome H. Foster T. Ancil J.Ancil R. Deeley A. Foster J. Penn H. Penn A.J. Phipps J. Marriott F. Massey

Launton Scorers: A.J. Phipps 1

There was the usual good crowd to witness the Jersey Cup Final at Bicester on Saturday between those old rivals Bletchingdon and Launton. In former years Launton usually carried off this trophy regularly, but latterly Bletchingdon have been successful in the local competitions. It was not a very good final this year, which saw Bletchingdon win rather easily by 6 – 1. Their eleven was more sound than Launton, whose forwards, on the whole were rather slow. Bletchingdon winning the toss, set Launton to face the sun, and the latter made the first attack, the ball going behind. The opening exchanges were in favour of Launton but the Bletchingdon defence was very sound. An attack by Bletchingdon ended in L Kenny landing the ball on top of the net, and just after Saunders fired in from point blank range, Sansome bringing off a great save. Incessant pressure on the Launton goal was eventually rewarded for the “Bs.” Barrett worked down on the left and passed into the center for Saunders to push the ball past Sansome, while a little later L Kenny scored No2. From the kick-off Launton had a great chance when Massey sent across the Bletchingdon goal, where the inside forwards failed to get to the ball. Sansome was then kept busy, but he saved his side repeatedly. Midfield play was the order for some time. Launton had more of the play perhaps, but their forwards had no cohesion, and though they tried hard they lacked the necessary penetrative power. On the other hand Bletchingdon swung the ball about to great advantage.

Half-time: Bletchingdon 2; Launton 0.

Early in the second half in an attack on the Launton goal, Sansome punched out a shot from Taylor, when he had plenty of time to catch the ball and clear. The leather fell to the feet of J Kenny who promptly netted. Then came a great rally by Launton. Their forwards swung the ball about and the halves following up, caused trouble to the Bletchingdon defence. Their persistence gained them a goal, for after a melee round their opponents fort, Phipps scored. Fitzroy scrambled the ball away rather luckily several times, but Bletchingdon gradually assumed the upper hand again. T Ancil handled in the penalty area, and Saunders scored with a good shot from the spot kick. Play deteriorated after this, Launton being obviously tired, and before the finish Saunders added two more goals. Result: Bletchingdon 6; Launton 1. For the winners, the two backs were sound and kicked well, and J Kenny in the forward line proved a hard worker and Saunders a good shot. For Launton, Sansome played a great game in goal, while H Foster was the better of the two backs and Marriott the pick of the forwards. Mr S Waters was referee, Messrs. W. Clfton and C. Ward Linesman.

Lord Valentia presented the Cup and medals to the winners, and in a short, but happy speech, he congratulated Bletchingdon on winning the trophy for the second successive year, which proved they must be a good team, and also Launton for being in the final the two successive years. The captains of both elevens briefly responded.