Women’s Blues v Swansea University 3:30pm kick off
Men’s Blues v Penguins 7:15pm kick off
OURFC Welcomes Welcome from OURFC Men’s Captain Jack Glover Welcome to the Oxford University Rugby Football Club, where I had the privilege of being a part of this remarkable club during my time at university last year. Much of what made this experience unforgettable can be attributed to the extraordinary community that this club has fostered. Within the hallowed walls of our pavilion, you'll find the legacy of some of Test Rugby's most illustrious players. The sacred grounds of Iffley have borne witness to iconic matches that will forever be etched in the annals of rugby history. The distinguished dark blue jersey holds profound significance for countless individuals, and we take immense pride in our rich history as members of OURFC. Following a hugely positive game against Leicester Tigers two weeks ago we are really looking forward to playing a strong Penguins outfit. We anticipate a hard-fought match, promising an intense, expansive, and competitive game of rugby. We will need all the support we can get to push us over the line in this historic fixture for the club! YIDB Jack Glover
OURFC Welcomes Welcome from OURFC Women’s Captain Sophie Shams I would like to welcome you all to the Oxford University Rugby Football Club where I have the honour to Captain the Women’s side of an inclusive, proud, historic club. The decision to merge the women’s and men’s clubs in 2015 ensures that we can build on the legacy together which was started 154 years ago with equal opportunities and working together to grow the club. The prestige of becoming a Blue is a highlight of many students’ experience whilst studying at Oxford and you will see out players represent that pride. This season we hope to continue last year’s successes. We had one of our most successful season’s in the history of the Women’s side, winning both the Varsity match for the Blue and Panthers (our second team) as well as our Blues coming second in the BUCS league. We would love to have your support at Iffley Road and at Stone X where our Varsity Match will be played this coming spring. YIDB Sophie Shams
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Teams Women’s Blues 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Emma Jones Worcester
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Sophie Goodman Brasenose
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Swansea University 1st XV tbc
Polly Brown Oriel Tori Kennedy Oriel Alex Wilkinson* Keble Lilla Berry Hertford Stella Farmer Worcester Beth Thomas St Peter’s Amber Wilkins* Lady Margaret Hall Zed Nott* Hertford Olivia Brown Corpus Christi Tolu Duckworth* Keblel Hannah Riches* Lady Margaret Hall Mel Morley St John’s Juliet Hill St Hugh’s Lauren Webb* © Corpus Christi
Sarah Kime St John’s Chloe Howgate Exeter George Close-Smith Lady Margaret Hall Lauren Preece Lady Margaret Hall Madison Quig St Catherine’s Elin Issac Queen’s Philippa Rolfe Somerville Head Coach: Ricky Khan Assistant Coach: Lee Goodall * Denotes Blue # Denotes International Referee: Dr Robin Paul (Oxfordshire Referee Society) AR1: Steve Murphy (OU Rugby Society) AR2: Thomas Warner (OU Rugby Society)
Teams OURFC Men’s Blues
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Penguins
15 14 13 12 11 10 9
Paddy Mayhew New
Chris Blucke Richmond
Tom Mewes* Brasenose
Vinny Baker Clifton
Sam Reynolds * University
Richard Kasia Harrogate
Luke Wyllie * St Hilda’s
Sam Laity Richmond
Hector Skipworth St Edmund Hall
Freddie Prior Oxford Harlequins
Archie King St Catherine’s
Sam Moorby RAF
Jack Hamilton St Cross
Harry Burn Oxford Harlequins
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Will Roddy Worcester Harry Scoble* Kellog
George Primmett Oxford Harlequins Finlay Boarder Oxford Harlequins
Michael Fankah* St Peter’s
Michael Wright Oxford Harlequins
Edward Blake* St Hilda’s
Allan Purchase Oxford Harlequins
Matt Cook St Lady Margaret Hall
Will Fountaine Oxford Harlequins
Otis Walker Brasenose
Cameron Rafferty Chinnor
Zenden Rozenbroek St Hilda’s
Zak Jones Sidcup
Jack Glover © St Peter’s
Harry Burn Oxford Harlequins
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Harry Pratt Queen’s
Keanu Broaurd Henley
Jack Botham New
Olly Frostick Henley
Joel Anjorin Keble
Mikey Duda Rams
Matt Wall New
Ben Hennah Westcombe Park
Luke Newland Mansfield
Jordan Macdougall Oxford Harlequins
Vasco Faria* Exeter
Harry Terrell Rams
Harry Bridgewater* Lincoln Finlay Ryan-Phillips
Head Coach: James Wade
Head Coach: Steve Hill
Assistants: Nick Smith & Nick Civetta* *Denotes Blue #Denotes International Referee: Rebecca Piddlesden (RFU) AR1: Peter Bramley (Oxfordshire Referee’s Society)
AR2: Dr Anthony Clark (Oxfordshire Referee’s Society)
The Penguins History The Club was founded in 1959 by the late Tony Mason and Alan Wright, both players for Sidcup RFC, who subsequently became Vice Presidents of Sidcup RFC and Kent County RFU. The HSBC Penguins are recognised as the premier touring club in the UK, having played in or against teams from no less than 75 countries. Indeed, we are not only the most travelled rugby club in the world, but the most travelled sports club in the world. The principal objective of the Club has been to foster - by coaching and playing - the development, goodwill and camaraderie of Rugby Union worldwide. The Club’s coaching and educational programme is organised by the HSBC Penguin International Rugby Football Coaching Academy. The Club’s committee is drawn from 16 nations and its President is Richard Bennett, an international lawyer. Eminent past Presidents have included Field Marshall Sir Claude Auchinleck, GCB, CGIE, CSI, DSO, OBE, LLD (Commander-in-Chief of the 8th Army and Indian Army); Group Captain Sir Douglas Bader, CBE, DSO, DFC, FRAcS, DL (Britain’s greatest ace fighter in World War II); Sir Robert Lawrence, CBE, ERD; D.H. Harrison, CBE (President, RFU 1966/1967); Air Commodore R.H.G. Weighill, CBE, DFC (Secretary, RFU 1973/1986); and Sir Peter Yarranton (President, RFU 1991/1992). In the abbreviated game, the Club was mentioned in the Middlesex Sevens Programme, 2001 as “acknowledged Master of Sevens”. Our many major 7s and 10s titles include winning the following prestigious international tournaments: The Middlesex Sevens (twice); The Cambridge University International 7s; The COBRA International 10s (five times); The Italian RU International 7s (twice); The Scandinavian 10s; The Nordic 7s; The Thai RU International 7s; The Grand Prix of Europe 7s; The Mexican RU International 10s; The Royal Kedah International 7s; The Borneo Invitational 10s; The Singapore Cricket Club 7s; The London 10s and The GFI Hong Kong Football Club 10s. The Club’s Fifteen-a-Side tours have included many visits to Asia and the Far East, South America, North America, the Middle East and Europe. In the year 2000, we were the first European club to be invited to play a series of International matches versus the National team of the People’s Republic of China. The Club is proud to have been sponsored by HSBC for its major tours over the past seventeen years. This great banking house is the largest bank in the world, operating in 85 countries. It is the 6th largest public company in the world. The international playing membership of the Club has been drawn from no less than 32 countries, and distinguished captains have included Waisale Serevi (the world’s No.1 Sevens player from Fiji); Bill Calcraft (Australia and past captain of Oxford University); Rob Wainwright (past captain of Scotland); and Fergus Slattery, one of Ireland’s most notable players. For a more in-depth history of the club, we suggest you buy a copy of our superb book, The History of the Penguin International RFC. You will find details of how to order a copy elsewhere on the website. The Penguin International RFC look forward to the future with confidence with the help and dedication of our hard working, amateur committee. History by Alan Wright, co-founder & Life President, April 2013
Women’s Blues Match Report v Brunel 15th November 2023 This week the Women’s Blues faced their toughest outfit of the 23/24 BUCS season, Brunel University. Brunel’s programme provides a premiership pathway for young women, partnered with our captain’s Premiership team Ealing Trailfinders, and it’s safe to say they played like it. Indeed, the Oxford Blues knew from the start that this would be an uphill battle, but a battle it was. Merely looking at the 60-7 score line doesn’t reflect the incredible fight put up by the women in dark blue, and the way they fiercely challenged a team who weren’t expecting one. The first quarter of this match was, according to Oxford’s coach, and Captain Sophie Shams, “the best 20 minutes of rugby” this team has played all season. Even the opposition came over to congratulate the Blues on their incredible start to the game. From an excellent kick off taken by no.10 Stella Farmer, which was immediately knocked forward by Brunel, Oxford had the other team pinned in their own half for a considerable amount of time. It was only when Brunel’s no.11 made a break on the wing around 20 minutes in that the Blues conceded. Heads high and chins up, the Blues marched onwards and continued playing their own game, forcing errors in the opposition with their quick defence, and a line speed that was improving under the orders of the captain as the game went on. Number 8 Lauren Webb made some excellent breaks through the yellow shirt’s forward defence, carrying the Blues into the opposition’s 22. Here, we had various opportunities to score, and were just held short by Brunel defence. Then some crafty turnovers and a couple of missed tackles from Brunel gave them a few more tries in the first half. But, as the half-time whistle approached, Oxford’s defence took to pressuring Brunel’s backs into touch, limiting their abilities on the wing. 32-0 down at half time, Oxford still with more to give. The second half started off wobbly with an immediate try from Brunel, forcing the Blues to wake up fight back, which is exactly what they did. Chasing up Farmer’s kicks, Oxford once again pinned the yellow shirts in their own 22, this time thanks to an exceptional break from Lauren Webb, who refused to be tackled by several Brunel defenders. Oxford continued to push forwards, moving closer and closer to the white line with immense effort from the forward pack. Our number 6 Lauren Preece scored her first try for the Blues from a quick pick and go, in a triumphant moment for Oxford, with Brunel’s defence unable to hold her up. Converted by Stella Farmer, the final score came to 60-7, after Brunel ultimately managed to outpace the Oxford and score from several line breaks. According to Brunel’s analysis, Oxford entered their opposition’s 22m line a total of 9 times, whilst Brunel invades Oxford’s a total of 13 – a very impressive statistic against a team used to not conceding at all. Player of the match goes to Lauren Webb for her unremitting effort, her clear-outs at the ruck and various line breaks, one of which led us to scoring.
Men’s Blues Match report v Leicester Tigers 8th November 2023 Men's Blues vs Leicester Tigers Match Report (08/11). Final score: Men's Blues 6 - 33 Leicester Tigers. Wednesday night saw the welcoming of a young Leicester Tigers side to Iffley Road. This was the second Premiership team that the Blues had encountered this season, and with many of the Tigers boys having Premiership and England U20s experience, the Blues were firm underdogs. The game began as a cagey, territorial affair with the challenge of the high ball on a wet night being laid down. Fortunately, the rather primal methods of territorial marking often witnessed by tigers was not employed, with the visitors instead opting for the box kick and spiral bomb. A well-placed kick from Oxford flyhalf Archie King allowed Luke Wyllie the opportunity to get the Blues a penalty right in front of the sticks. With majesty, King struck the ball over, giving the Blues an early lead. This penalty was quickly followed by another from King, making the score 6-0 to the home side after 20 minutes. Whilst the saying goes that a leopard cannot change it spots, Wednesday night appeared to demonstrate that a tiger very much can change its stripes as the visitors suddenly rocketed into action. The next 15 minutes witnessed three fast successive tries from the Tigers, the second of these being particularly noteworthy as the opposition 13 used some impressive footwork to carve open the Oxford centres and eventually offloaded to his scrum half who dotted down under the posts. The two teams headed back into the changing rooms after the first 40 minutes, with Oxford down, but certainly not out (HT Oxford 6 – 21 Tigers). The second half did not begin the way that the Dark Blue would have hoped as Leicester picked up an early penalty in Oxford’s half. This then led to an overthrown lineout, which the back man from Tigers pounced upon, bringing the score up to 6-28. The game felt as though it was slipping away from the Blues, but a defiant Second half performance kept the score line consistent for the next 20 minutes. Particular mention must go to the best iconic Aussie duo since Steve Smith and sandpaper, Hamilton and King who smoothed out any roughness in the home sides attack and kicked Oxford into some fantastic attacking positions. The visitors defence remained impervious throughout though, with the Tigers (uncharacteristically) hunting the Oxford attack in packs and repelling any efforts the Dark Blues threw at them. Both Hamilton and Scoble came to within inches but could not cross the whitewash. Leicester’s impressive collective effort in defence allowed them to remain a Survivor on their own line and countered the idea that there is an ‘I’ of the Tiger. A late try from Leicester brought the game to a close with a final score of Oxford 6 – Tigers 33. The boys in dark blue should be immensely proud of their efforts though. This was certainly the best game they had played all season and the improvements they made in just two weeks from their first game were huge. The defensive enthusiasm and kicking tactics shown by Oxford bode very well for their fixture in two weeks against the Penguins. Congratulations must also go to the Tigers for an excellent victory; they very much earnt their stripes. By Sam Reynolds
Fixtures
Photos Action from Men’s Blues v Leicester Tigers and Women’s Panthers v Nottingham 3rds Photo credit: Tim Anger & Chris Bateman
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