Varsity Women's Rugby: victory for King's despite UCL second half comeback

Photography by Raphael Jucobin

UCL 10 - 29 KCL. Raphael Jucobin reports on UCL’s loss at the Varsity women’s rugby match.

It was a disappointing afternoon for UCL women’s rugby club, as last Thursday’s Varsity fixture ended in a 29-10 defeat. Three tries in the closing stages of the first half set King’s up comfortably, and despite a spirited second half comeback UCL were unable to claw back the deficit.   

From the first few minutes the team saw themselves pegged back in their own 22 as King’s started the game with a high level of intensity. Nevertheless, UCL put up a strong defence despite breaks forward by the opposition, with the King’s number eight particularly impressing in the first twenty minutes. One effort saw them go over the try line, before the UCL backs were able to hold the ball up and prevent the score.   

Nevertheless, the constant pressure would eventually pay off as they broke away on the wing to score the first try of the match with half an hour on the clock. UCL’s defensive efforts over the half were in vain: they conceded two more tries before the break and went into half time 17-0 down.   

The second half saw more opportunities come UCL’s way as they capitalised on a spell of complacency from the opposition and a string of handling errors. As the game opened up, UCL were able to exploit the spaces in the opposition defence at the breakdown, with the props eventually driving over for their first score of the match.

Put under pressure by a flurry of boos from King’s fans, UCL fly half Helena Abou-Haidar was unlucky not to convert the try, hitting the post from a wide position. They made the most of this second-half revival by adding a second try soon after. In the end, however, the comeback was not to be, as KCL consolidated their lead with a last-minute try to finally wrap up the game  

With Friday’s football matches cancelled due to COVID-19, UCL’s 21-15 overall lead means they are once again crowned Varsity champions. While this year’s series has ended on a sour note, they will nonetheless be able to celebrate a fourth straight Varsity win, taking their tally up to six titles, while KCL once again failed to improve on their solitary victory in 2016.