Match report: women*s Blues vs Surrey 2s

[Written by Mel Morley, St John's College]

Having faced a tough start to the new BUCS season, the Women*’s Blues came into their third game of the campaign (and 2^nd at home) feeling optimistic: a week of focused training, including an infusion of world cup winning spirit from guest coach Maud Muir, had the squad raring to set things right, running out against Surrey 2s. A solid squad was bolstered by the return of Blue Emma Jones (2024) at fly-half who we were all delighted to hear would be back continuing her studies in Oxford from this year.

Not deterred by a chaotic opening, our first try of the evening came via outside centre Lilla Berry, recently invited to attend a training camp with the Swedish International Team, carrying on the momentum from a line break to race under the sticks for 5 points. Number 8 Mel Morley added the extras comfortably to see us 7-0 up.

Surrey were able to pin us in our own 22 shortly after the restart, and with the assistance of penalty advantage were eventually able to break the Blue’s tryline defence to score out wide, leaving the score a tight 7-5 at the half.

The Blues returned to the field feeling in control, knowing that some small fixes were all it would take to pull clear on the scoreboard. The second try for the home side came only 3 minutes after the restart – with both units executing their roles with clinical accuracy. OURFC’s forwards had shone all night at the lineout, with Surrey left uninspired in their reaction to the home side’s well-rehearsed and executed moves. This was no different, with a driving maul set on Surrey’s 22 making over 10 metres of ground before scrum-half Beth Thomas released the backs. Link-up play between Jones and Amelie Harris-Lovett saw the latter crash over the line for a well-worked team try. After another successful conversion the scoreboard read 14-5 to the Blues.

Oxford’s next try was a second of the night for Harris-Lovett, beating 2 defenders from point blank range to dot down in the corner. The Blues’ bench brought fresh legs and impact, including an immediate scrum penalty given in our favour with the introduction of replacement tighthead prop, Evie Wood. The resulting lineout gave the Blues forward momentum – and great handling saw the captain, fullback Lucy Hamer complete the rout and secure us a bonus point.

Trylights available here: https://youtu.be/GLXTVWwM8Os?si=ma749LLi_OT6_rd0

Match photos by Steve Karpa avaliable here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve_karpa/albums/72177720329711337/with/54858900551