As well as facing each other at Varsity each year, the Women*s Dark Blues and Panthers (Second XV) find themselves battling the Light Blues in their BUCS leagues. Looking to create the best and most competitive atmosphere for players, these home and away games have been scheduled to ensure that teams can travel together.
Last term, the Dark Blues made the journey to Grange Road geared up to face their rivals for the first of the three confrontations this season. First to step onto the pitch were the Panthers, in their first match of the season. Out of the twenty-two-player squad, ten were playing their first ever rugby game and sixteen were playing for OURFC for the first time after a few weeks of training together. There was some brilliant play and a steep learning curve for these new players, and unfortunately the experience provided by the few games that C*mbridge had already played became clear in the second half as they found their stride, with some great runners continuing to add to their score and shut down Dark Blue attacking efforts.
Once the Blues ran out however, it was clear that they wanted to make a statement. Fluid, cohesive play and staunch defence led to a convincing victory, shutting out the Light Blues in a show of strength to avenge the Panthers. Please find full match reports here.
With one win apiece, the Tabs 1st and 2nd XVs will be travelling to Iffley Road on Wednesday 22nd January for another challenge. The Panthers kick off against the C*mbridge Tigers at 5:00pm, followed by the Blues match under lights at 7:30pm.
This double header is expected to be the biggest home game of the season for the women*s section, particularly with the crowds brought in by the Women* in Sport Day. This day of matches has been organised in partnership with Atalanta’s, the club for Women*s Sport at Oxford University, affiliated with Vincent’s Club. The Women*s Blues for Lacrosse will be taking on C*mbridge at 13:00 in Uni Parks before the crowds move to Iffley Road for the Panthers match. Please then cross the road to the hockey astro to watch the Women*s Blues take on Bristol University before heading back to OURFC to see the Dark Blues go head-to-head with their Light Blue counterparts. Those involved will be able to get free tickets to the matches with the code ‘WOMENINSPORT’ as well as 10% off their coach ticket to the Varsity Match.
Food and drinks will be available all night from a variety of vendors and bars onsite so please get your tickets here or show up on the night to support the Dark Blues as their Varsity campaign continues to heat up. This will be the last confrontation before the teams meet for the official Varsity Matches: at Grange Road for the Panthers on Saturday 1st March and at StoneX Stadium on Saturday 8th March for the Blues. Please buy your tickets here before the Early Bird Sale ends on Friday.
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