The day saw round robin fixtures between the RCS, C&G & RSM, alternating between rugby & netball matches, with some of the rugby lads exchanging the egg-shaped ball for the round one and trying their hand at Netball. Ultimately the victories went to the Royal College of Science for both rugby and netball. With the Sparkes Cup and the Semmence Cup both coming home to the RCS.
We would wish to thank student Louis Beucher for his organisational input and to our captains, Sami Brown (rugby) & Charlotte Hawley (netball) for helping organise the event and ensuring a strong showing from the teams. Our very own Stephen Davies deserves our thanks for organising everything on behalf of the Associations who funded the event. And, of course, so do our match officials Olly Tatlow, who brilliantly refereed the rugby matches, and Julia Mark and Lisa Huse who similarly umpired the netball matches.
Finally, if you were not there and are wondering exactly what you missed, please read on for a report on each of the rugby and netball games from our RCSU rugby captain, Sami Brown…..
Sparkes Cup and Semmence Cup competitions started off gloriously with a bit of sunshine and cheap bus tickets to Harlington. With the arrival of all the teams, plus a good chunk of Alumni, the first rugby match between RCSU and CGCU kicked off. It was a fierce battle, much closer than anyone initially thought, but RCSU ran away with it in the end.
With the equivalent fixture in the mixed netball starting shortly after, the crowd definitely got in their element as the amount of heckling increased (mainly targeting the boys). To the delight of all, there were some Alumni appearances in the CGCU netball team, however it was RCSU that took the win, with what could only be described as absolutely fluid play.
Back to rugby, next up was RCSU vs RSM. With some more appearances from the Alumni in the RSM Rugby team, they definitely captured the crowd’s hearts. But they could not stop the mighty RCSU who had finally woken up a bit. With another victory secured for RCSU in the Rugby, we moved onto the netball, where the same result unfolded, albeit a much more competitive game.
Our final rugby game was CGCU vs RSM, and to the surprise of everyone, it was RSM that took the crown. Even though CGCU boasted the more experienced rugby players, the sheer heart and desire from RSM shone through to pull in a historic win. In the Netball, it was CGCU who clawed themselves a win in a very close match.
The presentation ceremony took place with RCSU gloriously crowned the winners across Rugby and Netball yet again!
Then, with some wholesome pictures taken and the delivery of some free beer (thanks RCSA!!) a friendly game of drinking netball was had.
Even more thanks to the RCSA, as stomachs were fed with the arrival of plenty of pizza and even more beer, with everyone enjoying some chit chat, food and pints in the sun. Overall it was an absolutely splendid day with an amazing turnout and we are excited for next year!