On Saturday 7th May, ‘Cuppers Finals Day’ made a very welcome return to the OURFC calendar for the first time since May 2019, with four matches taking place throughout the day at Iffley Road.
12noon saw the day kick off with the Men’s Bowl Final between Jesus and Worcester, and in what was the first of four very evenly contested matched, Jesus recovered from conceding an early try to win by 26 points to 14.
Next up at 2pm saw Oriel, including outgoing Men’s Blues Captain Louis Jackson, face St Peter’s in the Men’s Plate Final and in a game of just three tries, St Peter’s came out on top by 10 points to 5.
At 4pm the Women took centre stage with Corpus Christi Cluster taking on New College Cluster, and an exciting encounter in front of a large vocal crowd saw CCC run out winners by 20 points to 5, with newly elected Women’s Blues Captain Lauren Webb leading from the front with two tries.
Finally, at 6pm the Men’s Cuppers Final commenced with favourites St Anne’s/St John’s taking on New College. The Saints included 2022 Varsity Player of the Match Alex Post at No 8, but it was the defensive performance of the New College team that saw them secure a very close 6 points to 3 victory, thanks in no small part to two very well struck penalties from full-back Jack Derham, the second with just 2 minutes left on the clock after Saints took the lead early in the first half.
OURFC would like to offer huge thanks to the following who helped to make the 2022 Cuppers Tournament such a success and finish on a high last Saturday. College Rugby Administrator Simon Brown, all the College Captains, Bulak Dale Gaspalinao & Anna Jay for their hard work with the Women’s event in particular, to all the match officials and medical staff.
Oxford University College rugby is well and truly back after a couple of years off and we now look forward to the 2022 Mixed Touch Cuppers this coming Saturday and the Men’s College 7’s the week after.