Varsity Victory
The triumphant dark blues, with Keblite Alex Wilkinson holding the trophy
This season has seen a resurgence of women’s rugby at Keble, with four Keble students selected for OURFC teams and leading the dark blues and the second-team Panthers to success over their respective rivals in light-blue. Scrum-half Alex Wilkinson (2022 Economics and Management) captained the Blues and Jessica Chiriboga (2024 MPhil History) led the Panthers’ triumph over the Cambridge Tigers. Congratulations to all involved.
Alex Wilkinson (2022 Economics and Management) writes:
Tolu Duckworth (2019 Medicine) was named player-of-the-match
It was my honour as a Keble student to lead the women’s Blues in the Varsity matches this year. The growth of the section and its performances this year are a testament to the efforts of over 80 players from across the University throughout the season. The game began at a fast pace and, while we pressured the Cambridge line, we were unable to convert this into points until the 20-minute mark, thanks to a splendid try by winger Katie Hains. The back three continued to excel, capitalising on the platform set by the forwards, scoring another three tries between them during the match. Although execution errors hindered a more commanding scoreline, we concluded the match victorious with a score of 27-7, regaining the trophy after a narrow loss last year. The team greatly benefitted from a player-of-the-match performance by Tolu Duckworth, a Keble sixth-year medic, who earned her third and final blue in this match. With four players — two from each team — attending Keble, I am proud to report that women’s rugby at Keble is growing and gaining strong recognition at the University level.
Shoe the Tabs! The Panthers celebrating their victory, Jessica in the middle.
Jessica Chiriboga (2024 MPhil History) writes:
It was a great privilege to represent Keble as captain of the women’s Panthers in our Varsity match against Cambridge’s Tigers. With some of our players beginning their rugby careers at Oxford this past autumn, our section benefitted tremendously from weekly practices and gym sessions led by Keble student and women’s Blues captain Alex Wilkinson.
Tillie Lees, a Keble third-year engineer and Panthers winger
Our continued development was on full display during our away match on a sunny afternoon at Grange Road. Possession alternated between both teams in the first twenty minutes, with dominant tackles by our forwards and hard lines with the ball showing promise, finally resulting in a gutsy forwards’ try. We then successfully held up two attempted tries by the Tigers and defended our 5-0 lead until the end of the half. The second half ushered in numerous line breaks by our backs, including the ever-so-speedy winger Tillie Lees, a Keble third-year engineering student. The remaining minutes saw both teams trade possession until the final whistle rang in a commanding 26-5 victory for Oxford’s Panthers. Joined by the women’s Blues and Oxford fans, our team was happy to celebrate a hard-fought victory! I am incredibly proud of the Panthers team and the women’s section as a whole, and I would encourage Keble students to join OURFC this spring. You’ll find Keble friends, a welcoming and inclusive team, and an eagerness to grow together, from our first-time players to seasoned Blues.
