On a warm, sunny Monday evening at Iffley Road the 2022/23 OURFC men's season came to a conclusion with the finals of the Cuppers 7's competition. The previous week, 16 teams took part in the pool stages which culminated in 12 team returning to contest semi-finals and finals of the Bowl, Plate and Cup.
Cup
In the first semi-final 'bookies' favourites St Hilda's/Magdalen were surprised by St Catherine's by 17 points to 12, and the second New College over come Exeter/University by 17 points to 5. The final saw New College score first, but ultimately the St Catherine's 7 proved more incisive than their opponents, took their chances and deserved their victory by 24 points to 17 to be crowned 2023 Cup Champions.
A huge thank you to all the participants, match officials, medical staff and Collage Rugby Administrator Simon Brown for delivering another great event showcasing all that is good with the Oxford University collegiate rugby programme.
Plate
The first semi-final saw old rivals Keble and Teddy Hall face-off against each other, with the 15-a-side Cuppers Winners, Hall, coming out on top by 28 points to 10. The second semi-final saw Lincoln/St Peter's easily deal with St Anne's/St John's by 17 points to nil. In the final, Teddy Hall looking for their second trophy of the season were no match for Lincoln/St Peter's who dominated to win by 36 points to 5 and be crowned 2023 Plate Champions.
Bowl
The semi-finals saw Queen's/Jesus easily take care of Teddy Hall B 45 points to nil, followed by a more keenly contested game which saw Trinity/Wadham beat Hertford 24 points to 10. The final was close affair until Queen's Jesus took control towards the end to record a 26 points to 17 victory and be crowned 2023 Bowl Champions.
