Varsity Match 2018 raises vital funds

After a tense start to the 137th men’s Varsity Match, Oxford pulled away and scored five tries to win 38-16. However, in the women’s Varsity, Cambridge triumphed, winning 8-5 in a closely fought contest marking its 30th year.  

Oxford men’s captain and former Heineken Cup winner Dom Waldouck said he was ‘absolutely delighted and extremely proud of all the players’.

The Newcastle centre, who also played for Wasps and London Irish, is currently studying for an MSc in Sustainable Urban Development at Kellogg College. 

He added:

‘It’s an unbelievable honour to lead this Oxford team in the Varsity Match at Twickenham and I couldn’t be happier with our result.

‘We are delighted that funds from this wonderful game will go to Leonard Cheshire.’

Man of the match went to Oxford full-back and former Saracen Ben Ransom, whose superb performance earned him the Alistair Hignell medal. Hignell, 63, a former Cambridge and England full-back who has multiple sclerosis, is a Leonard Cheshire ambassador.

Men’s and women’s players on both sides recently visited local Leonard Cheshire care homes for disabled adults.

Oxford players met residents at Agnes Court in Banbury and Cambridge players met residents at The Manor. 

Davy Somers, a resident at The Manor in Brampton, is a regular at the Varsity match and thoroughly enjoyed the day. The keen rugby fan met Cambridge players once again when they visited last month. 

He said:

‘It was a brilliant day at Twickenham.  I really enjoyed both matches and I was pleased with the result in the women’s game.’

In a full-blooded women’s match, Cambridge number eight Emily Pratt set the Light Blues on their way with a powerful try, and lock Alice Elgar added a crucial penalty.

Her Oxford counterpart Katie Collis responded with a late try for a spirited Dark Blues side, but a powerful Cambridge team held on for the win.  

The Cambridge visit to The Manor saw the Light Blues players swap rugby for gardening.

Women’s captain and history student Kate Marks loved the visit.

The impressive scrum-half, who has toured with The British & Irish Lions, said:

‘I am so proud of every one of the players. It was brilliant to lead the Cambridge women’s team to a Varsity victory at Twickenham.

‘And it’s always been hugely important for us to try to give back, get out in the community and support Leonard Cheshire.

‘When we visited The Manor, the residents were very excited to be coming to the match. I had a great day helping out with gardening and chatting to everyone.’

Leonard Cheshire has been charity partner of the Varsity Match since 2014. Named after its war hero founder, the charity supports disabled people by providing UK accommodation, community projects and global education programmes.

Media enquiries

For further information and hi-res photos, please contact Nick Bishop in Leonard Cheshire’s external communications team on nick.bishop@leonardcheshire.org or call 01202 747100 / 07889 976 267. Out of hours contact: 07903 949 388