Women*s Blues triumph in historic clash against Major Stanley’s 42-24
On Wednesday 4th December, the final week of term, Iffley Road played host to a celebration of legacy with the annual Major Stanley’s match. On this December afternoon, the current Blues squad faced a team of experienced and familiar faces—former Dark Blue teammates now donning the white shirts of the opposing alumni. This included Doctor Clodagh Holmes, who boasts 4 Blues and this year returned to the club to captain the Major Stanley’s Squad, after last year captaining the Blues side on the same occasion.
The opening exchanges were fierce as the Major Stanley's side looked to set the tone early. As the Blues kicked off to give Stanley’s possession, Oxford put in a strong defensive effort for the first 5 minutes. However, they did not manage to steal back the ball, and the formidable Stanley's attack eventually resulted in a try scored by ex-Blue, Lily Phillips, on the left wing.
The current Blues, however, were quick to respond. Our forward pack dominated a scrum, making way for number 8, Tolu Duckworth, to pick and go. Here, Duckworth’s huge carry drew in enough defenders for a clean offload to Number 12, Lilla Berry, to score right beneath the posts. A conversion by Chloe-Marie Hawley brought the score to a close 7-5 to the Blues.
Tensions rose as penalties and knock-ons saw the ball ping back and forth across the pitch. A breakthrough came when fly-half, Hawley, broke from a set piece to extend the Blues' lead. With momentum building, the Blues capitalized on penalties, and advanced upfield. Captain Alex Wilkinson, returning in style from an ankle injury, seized a quick tap-and-go, charging up the 22 before offloading to Berry for her second try. Shortly after, fullback, Lucy Hamer, collected the ball on the full and sliced through Stanley’s defence for another score. Chaos then ensued late in the half with high tackles and penalties, leaving both number 12s and Stanley’s number 2 sent off; at half time, the game was reduced to 14v13, with the Blues leading the scoreline as well as the number of players.
The second half produced a strong demonstration of the Blues’ cohesion as a squad. Our game-play gradually pierced through the white shirts, and a set piece off a scrum awarded a nice try to winger, Katie Haines. At this point, despite the scoreline shifting in favour of the current Oxford team, Major Stanley’s, in true Oxford spirit refused to relent. Grace Gibson’s heavy carries set the stage for Clodagh Holmes to storm through for a try, followed by a perfectly timed kick-and-chase allowing lightning-fast winger, Shona Reid-Evans, to score for Stanley’s. Other notable mentions go to the full returning front row from last year, with powerful scrummaging and dominant carries and tackles made on both sides.
At full time, however, the Blues sealed the win with three final tries—all from number 16 Michele Szegda, completing a stunning hat trick with strong support from the forwards. The match ended in a 42-24 victory for the current Blues.
Major Stanley’s is a cherished club tradition that only marks its 5th year for the Women’s Blues. This game was so special for us; not only for the impressive displays of skill on both sides but also for the sense of camaraderie and legacy it embodied. We were honoured to have the match watched and the trophy presented by two icons of women’s rugby: Emily Scarratt of the Red Roses and Heather Bunting, Oxford’s first female Blue and a pioneer of the Women’s Varsity Match in 1988.
Men*s Blues 17 - Major Stanley's 22
On Wednesday December 4th, 2024, the OURFC Men*s Blues competed with the Major Stanley's XV in their annual clash. A nailbiter until the final whistle blew, the Major Stanley's withstood a late comeback by the Blues and emerged victorious for the first time in 21 years.
December 4th was a day for the rugby gods. The women*s side kicked off at 11:30, followed by a big corporate lunch in the marquee before the men’s side commenced play at 4:00. Upwards of 2,000 friends and alumni of OURFC came to the infamous Iffley Road to celebrate, network, recollect on their days at Oxford, and most importantly, to enjoy the sights and sounds of Oxford University rugby.
The day marked Mikey Fankah’s first as captain from kick-off, following an injury sustained by Luke Wyllie during the Blues game against Trinity College Dublin. Led by former Dark Blues captain, Louis Jackson, winner of several Varsity Matches against Cambridge, the Major Stanley's XV were a formidable side with a total of 50 Varsity Matches across the 23 players.
The first quarter of the match saw an early lead taken by Major Stanley's, who scored several tries between their wingers. Harry Bridgewater looked to contain the rampant offense of the Major Stanley’s side, sending a goal line drop kick some 60 metres away from the try line. Jack Glover, last year's Dark Blues Captain, weaved his way through the defence, amassing some 200 metres throughout the first half alone. Glover would finish the day having beaten nine defenders individually.
The second half saw Ben Scher return for his first Blues’ appearances in weeks after a long injury. The Finn Russell of OURFC rugby, Ben with his silky passing placed Captain Mikey Fankah on a line break. The infamous prop on the loss, Fankah could not believe the open space in front of him; rather than chipping and chasing or even stepping, he opted to crash straight into Major Stanley's 15, Paddy Mayhew, another Blue returned from last year.
Amon the debuts for the Blues was Stuart Brown (or Rory Stewart forty years younger), appearing on the pitch in the second half to assist the comeback. Pairing with Sam Line, Scher provided a spark for the Blues offence that led to a quick succession of tries. Quick tries by Jonty Scott-Brown and Ben Scher on some slick line-running brought the Boys in Blue within touching distance of victory at the last moment. However, the Boys in Blue failed to clench one of the several opportunities to score in the Major Stanley’s 22 as the clock ran out.
Right now, the Boys in Blue are enjoying their final days on their tour of Georgia after a long Michaelmas season. Please find their blog on our website. Shortly after this break, the major preparations for Cambridge begin, as the Varsity Match lies only a number of weeks away from the start of Hilary term. Stay tuned for more on the OURFC Men’s campaign.
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