UCL’s dominant first half of play meant that KCL had a tall order that they were unable to match up to.
A try by Gaby Silveri within five minutes of kick off set the tone of a free-flowing and high-scoring UCL dominant first half.
A cheery crowd chanting the usual slurs to KCL were further encouraged by the score already being 7-0.
Dominating the KCL half of the pitch from the onset, a loose pass from UCL’s attack was unable to be recovered cleanly by KCL and led to a penalty.
Wanting to extend the lead early on in the game, UCL opted for a penalty kick to extend the lead to 10-0.
Though setting the tone early, and UCL clearly wanting to be as dominant as possible, it was not the perfect start to the game. A collision at 14 minutes meant that UCL’s fly-half had to be sent off with injury. Another injury paused play just four minutes afterwards.
Within the first 30 minutes of play, UCL’s half of the pitch had remained unscathed by rugby boots and tackles, with KCL struggling to pass the half-way line or threaten the posts.
The authority that UCL displayed on the pitch was further exhibited by the full back, Funto Akarakiri, who was able to score two tries before the half-time whistle blew.
Thus leaving the score at 22-0.
Ellie Audsley scored a try early on in the second half, with a regulation conversion bringing the total to 27-0 to UCL. As the heavens opened up and the floodlights were turned on, many were wondering whether KCL would be able to even get off the mark. The crowd vocalised this, chanting “you haven’t scored yet” with just 25 minutes remaining.
However, this seemed to do more harm than good for the supporters who bleed purple, with KCL getting a new lease of life when the rain stopped. The back row of UCL were a powerful pack of players, denying KCL from scoring several times at the try line.
But the opposition were now in play. The end of the match saw KCL score three quick tries, as to not face the humiliation of a scoreless game.
A failed conversion after 80 minutes ended the match with a comfortable ten-point buffer confirming UCL’s victory.
Chalk and cheese to last year, UCLWRFC were able to intimidate King’s with scoreboard pressure from the offset. KCL did appear a competitive opponent in the tailend of the game, and had the conversion been successful, the game may have been slightly closer.
Fundamentally, being unable to score in the first half, and UCL wanting to rectify last year’s performance by amassing as many points as possible, meant that it was going to be tough for KCL to even get as close as they did to UCL’s 27 points.
The last women’s match of Varsity ended in favour of UCL, beautifully rounding off a very successful campaign.
The Cheese Grater’s player of the match goes to Funto Akarakiri. This full back challenged any KCL player wanting to cross the try line, as well as scoring two belting tries.