From rugby to water polo, Imperial College and Imperial Medicals do battle in Varsity 2012.

Hundreds of dedicated students turned out to fight for their respective side in yesterday's Varsity matches between Imperial College and Imperial Medicals.  The day’s exciting events culminated in an overall victory for Imperial College, topped off with their first ever win of the JPR Williams Cup at the Twickenham Stoop Stadium, home to Harlequins RFC.

The day kicked off with hockey, football, lacrosse and rugby matches at Harlington Sports Ground, training home ground to QPR FC. Matches started at 09.00 and went on until 16.30 with presentations made by Grant Danskine, Operations Manager and Sam Bell, Services Manager, Sport Imperial.  Indoor sports including netball, basketball, squash and waterpolo were played throughout the day in Ethos and participants were presented trophies by Kelly McKenzie and James Blackley, Ethos Centre management Team. Meanwhile, over in Wilson House, St Mary's campus, the battle for badminton victory began. (Full results below).

Coaches of students arrived at the Stoop from 18.00 onwards to watch the much anticipated event finale – along with past students, Imperial staff and guests. In the year that London plays host to the Olympics, Sport Imperial offered free tickets to students and so with over 1,500 people present and an electric atmosphere in the stands, the two Rugby 1st XV teams must have felt the pressure to perform in this tenth Varsity competition.

The evening’s entertainment started at 18.15 with the Techtonics vocal group and Scots Guards Band performing in the Jesters Bar; the Imperial College Wind Band adding to the building atmosphere pitch side.  At 19.20 the Imperial College Titans cheerleading squad dazzled the crowd and welcomed the players to the pitch.  The 1^st XV squads were welcomed by Neil Mosley, Head of Sport Imperial and Assistant Director of Commercial Services; Sir Keith O'Nions, Rector of Imperial College and of course the legendary JPR Williams himself.

Following the performance of both sides throughout the season and numerous Imperial College wins throughout the day, anticipation was high in the stadium.  Both sets of supporters were in good voice and the atmosphere quickly built for kick-off at 19.30 by the Medics Captain, Jonny Fisher.  At ten minutes the Medics missed a penalty and then Jonny picked up an injury leaving the side without their Captain for the rest of the match.  Both teams had good possession and were looking strong up until the twenty third minute when the first try of the game was scored by Syarif Hertog and converted by James Cox, putting Imperial College on the score board at 7 – 0.  Shortly before the half-time whistle Imperial College, Fraser James, broke loose from a scrum to cross the line and score their second try.  The conversion wasn’t made, taking the score to 12 – 0 at half-time.  Imperial College were firmly in control and the Medics had a lot to do to get back into the game.

Once again the Titan cheerleading squad put on a spectacular show at half-time and the second half kicked off at 20.20.  At ten minutes in, the Medics began to try to apply some pressure, number 14 had a nice turnover of possession and ran down the wing but the Imperial College defence stood firm and managed to regain control by clearing into touch.  Although the Medics were still pushing back, at fifteen minutes into the second half Imperial College number 12, Michael Floyd, broke free and scored a brilliant try.  Another missed conversion took the score to 17 – 0.  The Medics kept on pushing but the Imperial College back line were holding strong and with fifteen minutes remaining they were on the attack again.  Simon Fenton took control and scored the fourth try followed by a successful conversion by James Cox to extend their lead to 24 – 0. 

In the final couple of minutes the Medics were unable to respond to the strength of the opposing side and Imperial College kept on battling to increase their lead further.  The Medics looked to be defeated and in the final moments George Lane scored the fifth try of the evening and James Cox successfully made the conversion to take the final score to 31 – 0.  Imperial College secured their very first JPR Williams Cup victory and didn’t even give the Medicals a chance to get on the score board.

A very disappointed Imperial Medicals side received medals from Sir Keith O'Nions whilst JPR Williams presented Imperial College Captain, Charlie Esberger, with the coveted JPR Williams Cup trophy – breaking the Medicals long-standing run of wins.  JPR Williams chose Imperial College Jack Flanagan as the much deserved Man of the Match, sponsored by Leisure Net. 

To see pictures of the JPR Williams Cup match, visit the Sport Imperial Facebook page.

Overall results of the Varsity 2012 competition:  Imperial Medicals 9 - 18 Imperial College

Click here to see a full list of fixture outcomes.