OXFORD University will be playing on a new state-of-the-art water-based Astroturf home pitch for the first time this Sunday when they take on high-flying Doncaster in English League Division 1.

The new facility, including floodlights, has cost £900,000 and it could help the students steal a march over their rivals and begin a climb up the table.

Water-based pitches differ to sand-based ones in that they speed up the game and reward players who are able to pass with pace and accuracy.

And by having it as their home base, the Blues should be able to get accustomed to it and enjoy more of an advantage than they had at their temporary home base at St Edward's School.

The pitch is just off Iffley Road, close to the university's rugby ground, athletics track and other facilities, making it feel much more an integral part of the university sports complex. "Only three other clubs in our division of the National League have a water-based surface, and our pitch is the most advanced design yet," said skipper Mark Darbon.

"Our 2nds played on it last week and all the reports we've had say it's a great surface."

Story date: Saturday 30 January

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