The OURFU 15-a-side season came to a conclusion at a sunny Iffley Road on Saturday when more than 1,500 spectators enjoyed four pulsating ‘Cuppers Finals’. With the OURFC players providing a BBQ and bar for the spectators, a festival atmosphere was created off the field whilst the players provided entertainment on the field.

At 12 noon Wadham/Trinity kicked off the day’s preceding’s when they defeated Christ Church by 19 points to 10 in the Bowl, and this was followed at 2pm when Oriel enjoyed a resounding 31 points to 5 victory over Magdalen in the Plate. At 4pm history was made with the first full 15-a-side Women’s Cup Final which saw Turl Street outgun Kebiel by 24 points to 10 in match that showed the rapid development of the women’s game at the university.

The day came to a fitting conclusion at 6pm, when the traditional powerhouse of men’s college rugby St Edmund Hall took on this season’s League Champions Corpus Christi/Somerville and the ensuing spectacle did not disappoint the large vocal crowd. With a smattering of Blues, Greyhounds and Whippets throughout both squads and facilitated by Premiership Referee Dean Richards, the quality of rugby on show was high. At half-time it looked as though Teddy Hall had the win in the bag as they dominated to lead by 15 points to nil – 2 tries a conversion and penalty. However, CCC/Some came out for the second half determined to secure a league and cup double and two tries and one conversion in the first 20 minutes saw them narrow the gap to just 3 points and the dream was still alive. Teddy Hall managed to compose themselves with a penalty to extend the lead to 6 points and then proceeded to defend their line as if their lives depended on it as the men in red hammered away for a good ten minutes but despite coming agonisingly close on couple of occasions could not find the finishing touch. Teddy Hall thus hung on to secure an 18 points to 12 victory and secure their 34th Cuppers title, and spark the traditional pitch invasion as their delighted supporters rushed on to congratulate their heroes!

Thanks to everyone who attended throughout the day and particularly to the OURFC players for providing a well-run BBQ from start to finish.