Varsity - How are the rugby teams shaping up?

Who will be lifting the coveted JPR Williams Cup this year? How will the overall competition go? Find out how the Varsity clubs have been getting on so far this season.

10 days to go till the big day - how are the Varsity players shaping up?  

The biggest day in the Sport Imperial calendar is nearly here, yes that right Varsity 2011 is taking place on Wednesday 16^th March.  After an action packed day of SPORT, entertainment and rivalry at Harlington, Ethos and Wilson House, the JPR Williams Cup will be finishing off what “will be the best Varsity to date” (Medics Club Captain, Jamie Rutter).  This year the JPR Williams Cup has moved to a new venue The Stoop, home of Harlequins RFC, this venue is a larger professional stadium and is all geared up for a dazzling display of Rugby, with exhilarating entertainment both on and off the pitch.  The Stoop is the biggest venue many of the players have ever had the chance of playing in and is a fantastic opportunity for all involved.

2009 and 2010 saw IC crowned the overall winners of Varsity, will this winning streak continue or will this be the year when the Medics take the number one spot?  However, the big match of the day has gone to the Medics; 2009 Medics Rugby won 15-7 after going to extra time and last year the Medics won again with a 29-13 victory, “the gap between the two teams has narrowed significantly over the years, to the point where 2 out of the 3 matches have gone to extra time” (Medics).  Who will come out on top this year and secure the title of the first team to win at The Stoop?

IC Rugby Men’s 1^st are currently in BUCS South Eastern 1A League with fierce competition with University of Reading 1sts for the top spot, with not many fixtures left to play can they steal that top spot with a chance of being promoted to the Premier League next season, let’s hope so!  They have won 6 out of their last 7 matches only losing to Chichester 12-11.  With many players including Joe Harris, Ben Adubi, Jamie Aldridge, Max Joachim, Ed Labinski, Caolan Cotter (c), Jack Newton, Louie Barnett and David Wilson playing in their last Varsity fixture this year it is shaping up to be quite an occasion for the team and their supporters.

Imperial Rugby Club Captain Joe Harris believes, “...the squad is going from strength to strength each week witch I know we can carry forward into the match.  It will be a tough, physical encounter as it is each year but the challenge of the medics will bring out the best in us, so it should be a great game!”

ICSM Rugby Men’s 1^st are in the South Eastern Premier League at the moment and again with not many matches left to play are sitting in an uneasy position towards the end of the leader board and Oxford Brookes stand in their way to ensure they stay in the top flight of University Rugby Union.  However, they have made the Final of the UH Cup (University Hospitals) after a fantastic performance against RUMS.  The final took place on 11^th March, can they win two massive matches in 6 days?!

This recent string of matches will however have no effect on their confidence, as they without a doubt will be in a different gear on Wednesday and with such fierce rivalry between the teams, the atmosphere and stature of the venue and occasion will all add to every player contributing 110 percent to Varsity 2011.

After speaking to the Medics about the match, Club Captain Jamie Rutter said they are, “...expecting a challenge and one that they are very much looking forward to... Having never lost the cup in previous years the pressure is on us to retain the title.”

When looking at the current BUCS league positions of both IC and ICSM and recent performances this should be a fairly even contest this year making it a really exciting spectacle! Caolan Cotter (Captain IC Rugby 1^st) is looking forward to the atmosphere this event will have this year along with the excellent rugby and excitement in the air as they aim to see some “Champagne Rugby”!

Buy your ticket today

If you still haven’t got a ticket there isn’t much time left. Tickets are available online or at Ethos or from Hannah Blandford (Sports Partnership Administrator) Level 2M, Beit Quad. 

The tickets are £12 for an all day advance ticket (transport to and from The Stoop and entry to the ground) or £10 for an evening advance ticket (just entry to the ground). It is going to be a fantastic evening with excellent entertainment both on and off the pitch, so get all your friends together and head on down to the stop for a night of sport to remember!