Last
updated: 06/03/08
Imperial
Varsity Match Makes History
Imperial College London Varsity 2008
Imperial Medicals 22
Imperial
College 19 (after extra time)
This
annual event has grown since it’s birth in 2003 with up to 46
teams from Imperial College (Imperial) and Imperial Medicals (Medicals)
competing against each other, with the JPR Williams Cup as the main
event. This years JPR Williams Cup was billed as ‘The Big One’
with the Imperial 1st XV rugby team gaining promotion into the BUSA
Southern Premiership B and the Medicals pulling off a Great Escape to
stay in the same league. Imperial have been on superb form, comfortably
beating their last two opponents, scoring over 49 points in each game,
whilst the Medicals have had to fight hard to earn their wins.
The crowd
began to gather at Richmond Rugby Ground from about 6:30, comfortably
filling the main stand, as well as the side of the pitch which resulted
in a crowd of nearly 1,100. They were not going to be disappointed.
The match
kicked off with the usual fast pace that the two sides were accustomed
to, each team making big hits in open play and even bigger hits in the
scrums. However, with this fast pace and huge rivalry between the two
sides, discipline was poor to begin with and both sides conceded early
penalties. The Medicals were the first to receive a penalty within kicking
distance, but fly half Dan Neville was unable to convert it. Minutes
later, Imperial were awarded with a penalty of their own and hooker
Alex Johnstone fared better giving Imperial a 3 – 0 lead.
With the
game finding its rhythm, both sides tried to exploit each others weaknesses.
The Medicals set up a catch and drive from the lineout, 5 metres from
the Imperial try line yet Imperial were more than ready for them and
pushed them back a good few metres, before the ball was distributed
to the backs who were unable to score. Imperial on the other hand, attempted
to exploit the Medicals weaker back line, running great attacking lines,
but the Medicals predicted this and their defence was superb. With neither
side being able to penetrate the line effectively, only errors kept
the score board ticking with a further two penalties, leaving the score
at half-time 6 – 6.
The Medicals,
who have always considered themselves to be the superior team, were
shaken to the core by what was going on. Imperial were full of hope
after seeing how much their performance had affected the opposition
and they knew that the start of the second half was going to be tough.
This was indeed the case as the Medicals came out all guns blazing,
thirsty for a try and eager to take the lead and reiterate the fact
that they were the superior outfit. Their efforts were rewarded as they
scored a try towards the touchline to give the Medicals the lead for
the first time. Dan Neville was unable to covert which left the score
at 11 – 6 to the Medicals, but about 5 minutes later they were
awarded with a penalty to stretch the lead to 14 – 6.
Imperial,
having sat through the storm, came out the other side ready to really
show what they are capable of. In broken and open play the Imperial
backs are deadly, whilst the Medicals were strong in the tight; the
aim was simple, keep the ball away from their forwards and break up
their backs. Imperial scrum half, Freddie Chalk and fly-half Jo Brown
were on great form, both marshalling the backs and forwards as a unit
which eventually led to a penalty, which was converted, and Imperials
first try by centre Tom Carroll to level the game again. Imperial were
not going to let this run of good form slip and the pressure was maintained
on the Medicals backs. The line-outs were proving to be a bit of a problem,
however, with the Medicals second row Rob Anderson consistently being
a nuisance to the Imperial forwards.
The Medicals
did have chances of their own and tried to break down the wing with
Kevin Ilo, only to be stopped in spectacular style by Imperial’s
captain Andrew Jasudasen and vice-captain Flannan O’Mahney. With
3 minutes to go on the clock, Imperial spotted a gap in the Medicals
defence and fly-half Jo Brown chipped the ball over for Alex Johnstone
to catch and score. Imperial were in the lead 19 – 14.
With minutes
to go, all Imperial had to do was defend their line as they knew that
the Medicals were going to come at them, and they did. After 10 minutes
the game was still going and the Medicals exploited a gap on the blind
side with Rob Anderson scoring the life saving try. The full time whistle
blew with the score level at 19 – 19. For the first time ever,
the game went into extra time. Both sides had 20 minutes to make their
mark but with discipline still being a problem between the two sides,
and the fact that the players were getting tired, penalties were being
awarded all over the pitch. It was the Medicals who were able to get
one within kicking distance and take the lead at 22 – 19. No matter
how much the Imperial boys kept trying to get to the Medicals try line
they couldn’t get a penalty within kicking distance and as the
full time whistle blew there was relief for the Medicals whilst the
Imperial side were left wondering how they let the game slip away.
JPR Williams
himself said after the game that the Medicals should consider themselves
very lucky to have won the game, which means a lot since the former
Wales and British Lions full-back is a Medicals Old Boy. He commended
the Imperial players and reserved special praise for Man of the Match
Alexander Johnstone of whom he said: “This boy can score tries,
kick conversions and penalties, and make big hits, all whilst being
a hooker!”
With both
sides now in the Premiership and very few players graduating, next years
encounter promises to be a spectacle not to be missed.
by Jovan
Nedic
