Hundreds of students fight for their respective side in the eleventh annual Varsity between Imperial College and Imperial Medicals.

Hundreds of dedicated and energetic students turned out in the cold to fight for their respective side in the eleventh annual Varsity between Imperial College and Imperial Medicals.  The day’s exciting events at locations around west London culminated in an overall victory for Imperial College, topped off with their win of the JPR Williams Cup for second year in a row at the Twickenham Stoop Stadium, home to Harlequins RFC.

The day kicked off at 09.15 with ICSM netball teams dominating wins at Ethos Sports Centre and Seymour Leisure Centre. Other indoor sports including squash, basketball and water polo were played throughout the day at these two venues. Stronger performances from IC teams in most of the outdoor sports meant victory for them in badminton, hockey, football, lacrosse and rugby matches at Hyde Park and Harlington Sports Ground, training home ground to QPR FC. The matches went on until 15.30 and participants were presented with trophies by Sport Imperial staff members.

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. Sport Imperial once again offered free tickets to students and so with over 1,000 people present and an electric atmosphere in the stands, the two Rugby 1st XV teams must have felt the pressure to perform in this Varsity competition.

The evening’s entertainment started at 18.15 with the Imperial College Wind Band adding to the building atmosphere pitch side. At 19.10 the Imperial College Titans cheerleading squad dazzled the crowd with their new routines 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 Campus Services; Sir Keith O'Nions, President and Rector of Imperial College London 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. The early stages of the game saw the Medics claim the bigger share of possession and territory but sadly lost four of their early line-outs.  Half an hour in and the College side seize the opportunity to improve the 0-0 scoreline with a superb try by captain Jack Flanagan followed by a straightforward conversion by James Cox, putting IC firmly on the scoreboard at 7 – 0! The Medics retaliated with a flurry of attacks just before the half-time whistle and were rewarded with their first try finishing the first half 7-5.

The Wind Band entertained the students in the Kings Bar and the Titan cheerleading squad put on another spectacular show at half time and the second half kicked off at 20.20. Soon into the second half, Jon Hardisty scored the second try for IC and James Cox successfully made the conversion again to take the score to 15 – 7. The Medics made individual drives into the College line, but the IC team successfully dismantled the threats of attack.  The Medics looked to be defeated and in the final moments whilst IC Captain Jack Flanagan scored the third try of the evening to take the final score to 19 – 7.  Imperial College secured their JPR Williams Cup victory for the second time!

A very disappointed Imperial Medicals side received medals from Sir Keith O'Nions whilst JPR Williams, Sir Keith O’Nions and Headline Sponsor Savills, presented the Imperial College team with the coveted JPR Williams Cup.  JPR Williams once again chose Imperial College Jack Flanagan as the much-deserved Man of the Match, sponsored by Laing O’Rourke. 

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

Click here for a full list of Varsity 2013 competition outcomes