Queen's kings of sevens
This Wednesday the Iffley pitch was fortunate enough to present the college mixed sevens touch rugby tournament. With 12 colleges participating, Men's Blues refereeing and Women's Blues such as the likes of prop Katie Smith and Inside Centre Elizabeth Ethun playing, the afternoon was set to be one of interest.
Well organised, the teams were separated into two groups of six, promising five games to each team, with the top four from both groups qualifying for the finals. With the short fast games providing no big scores and the only point of interest an apparently strong Exeter side losing all five matches, the finals were set at Queen's versus a combined effort from St Anne's and St John's.
Initial poor passing hindered the Anne's/John's progress up the field, though the play was fast and furious providing plenty of turnovers. Anne's/John's came close to scoring many times, fighting to get the ball out to the wing, with attempts to try marred by Queen's strong defensive line.
With Queen's players such as captain Alex Hudson and Dane Satterthwaite creating good lines, it was only a matter of time before Duncan Knox (next year's captain) was able to put a try past the opposition defence.
Although the overall score was 1-0 to Queen's, Anne's/John's captain Owen Hughes felt "hard done by" though Queen's captain Alex Hudson believed they had had a good game of "textbook rugby".
The overall results were:
1: Queen's
2: Teddy Hall
3: Wadham
4: LMH
Also present was David Lubens, the newly appointed Blues captain, who was there for both the tournament and the rugby World Cup which was on display in Oxford that day. As a native Aussie, Lubens stated that it was "a little ironic that my first glimpse of the World Cup is when it's not in my own country."
Aside from cultural controversies, Lubens explained his excitement for the coming season, how new players such as Newcastle Falcons fullback, Stuart Legg, and Lienster prop, Shaun Brophey, would add a fresh strength to the team and how new training sessions involving SAQ weights and an early start to the physical training would help the team prepare to win back the Varsity trophy.
Lubens is hoping for a team that is not just stronger and bigger, but "precise in method and ruthless in defence."
13th May 2004