The 2023 Varsity Matches played at Twickenham on Saturday, ended with mixed fortunes for the Dark Blues.
At 12noon the Women's team took to the field as favourites having already beaten their opponents twice this season, but things didn't click in the first 40 minutes, which saw the Dark Blues perhaps surprisingly trailing 12 points to 5 at half-time, Oxford only points a try from scrum-half Alex Wilkinson (Keble). However, the second half saw the true Dark Blue team emerge from the tunnel and score 26 unanswered points, with Player of the Match, full-back Clodagh Holmes (University) leading the way with no less than four second half tries! Captain Lauren Webb (Corpus Christi) in the back row, was once again a heroic leader, working tirelessly for 80 minutes in both attack and defence to deservedly lift the Trophy at full time.
In the afternoon, Tom Osborne (Trinity) lead his young Blues team on to the hallowed Twickenham turf as underdogs, but 80 minutes later emerged, whilst not victorious on the scoreboard, worthy winners in the eyes of the Dark Blue supporters, who witnessed a wholehearted performance which perhaps deserved a different outcome. The highlight of the match, was when winger Tom Mewes (Brasenose) scored a try for the ages, when he picked up a loose ball and beat at least five Cambridge defenders before touching down at the north end of this famous old stadium - a try former 'Nose' and England great, Prince Alexander Obolensky would have been proud to have scored himself! With 12 of the 23 returning next year, this young, spirited squad will have learnt much from Saturday to take forward to their 2023/24 Varsity campaign.
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