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Varsity Match 2024: Cambridge University RUFC Women’s team gain revenge on Oxford University after last year’s defeat




Cambridge University RUFC Women’s team wrestled back the Varsity Match bragging rights from their Oxford counterparts at the StoneX Stadium in north London this afternoon.

The Light Blues lost by a 31-21 margin 12 months ago – the first time they had tasted defeat at the hands of their rivals in this prestigious fixture since 2016.

But whereas in 2023 Emilia Bushrod’s Cambridge spurned a first-half advantage, this time they saw it out to get their hands back on the trophy courtesy of a battling 10-5 triumph.

CURUFC Women won this year’s Varsity Match. Picture: Chris Fell
CURUFC Women won this year’s Varsity Match. Picture: Chris Fell

Oxford enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening exchanges yet it was Cambridge that drew first blood with 17 minutes on the clock when Izzy Boothroyd, who is a Varsity Match-winning footballer, slotted a penalty through the posts.

With three points on the board, Cambridge started to operate deeper in Oxford territory and their pressure was rewarded by the game’s opening try in the 24th minute.

Ella Heathfield was the scorer, powering her way over the whitewash before Boothroyd showed more good skills with the boot to add the extras.

But rather than lick their wounds, Oxford responded in positive fashion and within four minutes they had made their first impact on the scoreboard.

They showed good urgency straight from the restart and eventually it resulted in a quick tap from Alex Wilkinson, who broke through a retreating Cambridge defence to go over in the corner. The conversion from Stella Farmer out wide on the right looked good but it eventually ran out of juice and dropped short.

Oxford’s try marked a slight drop in tempo for the remainder of the half with both sides starting to commit errors as the fast-paced opening to proceedings began to take its toll.

The half-time interval provided a welcome break for both teams, yet it was Cambridge that seemed to benefit more.

They spent large parts of the second half camped out in the Oxford half, going through the phases and building momentum. However, the team got disconnected at crucial moments and the concession of penalties near the try line relieved the pressure on Oxford.

Cambridge also had to contend with a yellow card being handed to Alice Middleton for a high tackle – and there was a period where Oxford threatened to make their numerical advantage count. And when Middleton returned, within a couple of minutes Emily Bell duly replaced her on the bench for a similar offence.

But despite wave after wave of Oxford attack in the closing stages, Cambridge stood firm – including Ellie O’Keefe’s crucial 80th-minute intervention – to spark scenes of wild celebrations among those in light blue and white striped jerseys.

The victory has seen Cambridge close the overall deficit in the fixture on Oxford to 21-14, with one draw.

CURUFC: 15. Alice Middleton (Samuel Whitbread Community College & St Catharine's) *, 14. Nancy Twigg (Ysgol Uwchradd Llanfyllin & Homerton) *, 13. Isobel Boothroyd (Greenhead College & Jesus), 12. Laura Vass (The Perse School & Fitzwilliam, Vice Captain) *, 11. Ellie O'Keeffe (Dubai College & Emmanuel) *, 10. Samantha Mason (Clare), 9. Emilia Bushrod (Ysgol Gyfun Pencoed Comprehensive & Pembroke, Captain) *, 1. Bethan Jones (Great Sankey High School & Pembroke) *, 2. Poppy Latimer (The Charter School, North Dulwich & Churchill), 3. Ella Heathfield (King Edward VI Five Ways & Queens'), 4. Hetta Friend (Wycombe Abbey & Robinson) *, 5. Libby Bryant (Godolphin and Latymer & Jesus), 6. Rosemary Scowen (Bradford Grammar School & Magdalene) *, 7. Phoebe Smith (The Priory City of Lincoln Academy & Clare) *, 8. Emily Bell (St Philomena's Catholic High School for Girls & Fitzwilliam) *

16. Greta Grabauskaite (Academia International School, Basel & Fitzwilliam) *, 17. Vianney Gomezgil Yaspik (Bishop's College School & St Catharine's) *, 18. Annie Worth (The Perse School & Murray Edwards), 19. Jenny Hardwick (The King's School, Canterbury & Magdalene), 20. Karla Boxall (Greenacre School for Girls & Newnham) *, 21. Alice Smith (All Hallows Catholic School & Homerton), 22. Alice Yau (Henrietta Barnett School & St Catharine's), 23. Sophie O'Keeffe (Dubai College & Emmanuel)



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