The match kicked off with some strong attacking rugby from UCL, seeing the Purples pick up an early try after some sloppy defending on behalf of King’s. The try was followed by a conversion from Fotheringham to see the scores settle at 7-0.
A mere six minutes later, KCL’s number 13 scored a controversial try after calls for a knock on were ignored by the referee. The try in the 21st minute was not followed by a conversion, allowing UCL to stay ahead by two points.
UCL engaged with some gallant defending thereafter, eventually holding up a charge from KCL’s stocky number 3 to deny the Reds from going ahead just before the half-hour point.
This was followed by a try from UCL after a complicated line out routine allowed them to confuse KCL forwards and break through their line. Fotheringham converted again thereafter, seeing the score going into half-time at UCL 14 – 5 KCL. After a shaky opening from the Varsity holders, UCL seemed to have gotten the upper hand on their opponents from the Strand going into the second-half.
Despite ending the first-half on a strong note, UCL allowed KCL to score again in the 43rd minute, but the Reds failed to convert. This saw KCL close the gap in the scores to just 4 points. As the second-half began UCL seemed to have switched off defensively, with KCL’s sustained attacks down the left wing getting the better of the UCL line.
Just a few minutes later KCL hit the post from a penalty kick, with the stadium in uproar as the ball bounced away for a UCL turnover. The UCL jubilance would last long however, as King’s then secured, and converted, another penalty kick just a few minutes later to see the scores nearly level at UCL 14 – 13 KCL.
UCL’s technical supremacy on the day would allow them to gain another try in the 57th minute. After some great running by UCL’s number 12, Oliver Brown, a kick from UCL saw the King’s fullback fluff his lines and UCL’s number 11, Jack Strange, to take advantage and score a try. After a failed attempt at a conversion, UCL went into the last 20 minutes 6 points ahead at UCL 19 – 13 KCL.
UCL eventually re-found their groove around the 60th minute, with number 9 Seb Dibb’s consistently good passing allowing the boys in purple to keep possession of the ball for a sustained period. Things changed however, after UCL’s number 7 and team captain Ciaran Davies went off with what appeared to be a bad hamstring injury. Despite some strong tackling from UCL whilst defending at the 5 meter line, KCL were able to score a try and convert it in the 70th minute, seeing them go ahead by a point going into the last ten minutes of the game.
KCL then engaged with some of the best defending they’ve done all season as UCL put all their energy into getting the points needed to win the game. As the game was coming to a close, UCL were awarded a penalty. Despite his form hitherto, Fotheringham failed to convert the kick, falling just short of the posts, and the match continued. After the failed kick, it seemed all hope was lost for UCL, but the Purple’s slick passing stunned the KCL defensive line in the last play of the game, allowing UCL’s number 11 Jack Strange to receive the ball on the left wing and score another try to seal the game.
The scenes in the stands were wild, as UCL fans silenced the KCL faithful who thought they were about to win their first Varsity in 4 years. A mini pitch invasion followed and some UCL fans accidentally broke a barrier as crowds surged towards the sidelines to celebrate. This takes UCL Rugby to five Varsity wins in a row, with their win crowning off a brilliant week for sports for UCL fans.
