HEAD coach Matt Watts described winning the Oxfordshire Shield as a special moment for Gosford All Blacks.
BB&O Premier leaders Gosford beat Wheatley 29-12 in Sunday’s final at Iffley Road to keep their bid for a treble of titles on track.
All Blacks were crowned the Senior Vase South West champions earlier this season, before going on to lose the Southern Counties final.
And with an eight-point gap over Milton Keynes in the table, they could secure promotion when they face Wheatley again this weekend in the BB&O Premier.
Watts was eager to savour the moment on Sunday.
He said: “Some of these memories are pretty special that you never get back again.
“We had to make the most of it and it was really special.”
Gosford’s Rob Woods and Wheatley’s Josh Hilsdon crossed for converted tries as the sides were locked at 7-7 at half-time.
But a Chris Bennett penalty and tries from Will Watts, Joe Pigott and Woods saw All Blacks get the better of their opponents, despite Ben Kelsey’s score.
Although his side improved after the break, Watts admitted he was less than impressed with the first-half performance.
He said: “A win is a win.
“I was very disappointed with certain aspects of the way we played.
“We scored four good tries and dominated in the second half, but first half we have to give credit to Wheatley.”
Gosford’s full focus is now on finishing the job in the BB&O Premier.
But Watts is under no illusions about the task in hand with their last two games against relegation-threatened Wheatley and Hungerford.
He said: “We want to be playing teams who have nothing to play for.
“But we should be confident, we have only lost once.
“We can’t afford to take anything for granted.”
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