Imperial Medics reclaim JPR Williams Cup in Varsity finale

The Imperial Medics 1st XV rugby team emerged triumphant as Imperial's annual Varsity tournament came to a climactic close.

After an exciting day which saw 58 teams compete across 11 different sports, the competition culminated with Imperial Medicals reclaiming the much coveted JPR Williams cup.

However the Medics’ impressive rugby win couldn’t prevent Imperial College from claiming overall Varsity victory, winning the majority of the 29 matches played.

The final Varsity showdown took place at Twickenham Stoop, where an enthusiastic crowd gathered to watch the Imperial College rugby team try to defend their title against the Medics for the third year running.

Despite a spirited performance by Imperial College, Imperial Medicals came out top with the scoreboard reading 37-11 when the final whistle blew.

Imperial College triumphed in women's basketball

The match marked the end of a full day of sporting events which began in Ethos, where Imperial College and Imperial Medics teams battled it out in netball, squash, waterpolo and basketball, while hockey, rugby, football and lacrosse teams clashed at Harlington. Badminton took place in Charing Cross Leisure Centre and Hyde Park played host to the men’s tennis.

Speaking of the rugby match, Professor James Stirling, Provost, said:

"Having followed university sport from my time as an undergraduate rugby player, I can say that last night’s quality of rugby and atmosphere was among the best I’ve ever experienced.

"Varsity is, however, about much more than first-class rugby. It is a superb showcase for Imperial sport at all levels. Throughout the day, hundreds of students competed in scores of disciplines, from basketball to water polo, in front of over a thousand spectators"

Neil Mosley, Head of Sport Imperial, said:

Waterpolo in Ethos pool

"Last night's thrilling rugby match was the perfect end to a fantastic day of sport played in positive competitive spirit and in ideal weather conditions. Congratulations to the Medics for their strong performance to win back the JPR Williams Cup.

"I am genuinely impressed with the extraordinarily high standard of sport played throughout the day – it has certainly done justice to Imperial’s standing as top university in London for sport. Varsity gets better every year and continues to be one of the big sporting highlights of the Imperial calendar. Well done to all teams."

See full Varsity results