With the Varsity Matches quickly approaching this weekend, we sat down with two of CURUFC’s most experienced players to get some of their thoughts on what playing in the Varsity Matches means for them.
Both are PhD students from Jesus College – Tim earned his 50th Blues cap at this year’s Steele Bodger Match, while Sara, starting number 1, is one of only five returning Blues from last year’s Women’s Squad.
In Conversation with Tim Andrew (PhD in Chemistry)
What has been your most memorable game so far?
My first varsity match at Twickenham in 2022 is very memorable for various reasons, obviously playing at Twickers being one. An early red card, injury to Stephen Clark-Leonard and conceding was an absolutely hellish start, it felt like nothing could go right for the first 40. Toby Flood gave an inspiring team talk at half time and we came from 21-0 down to end up losing 21-17. To me this was a clear sign of the character we were building as a club which has come to fruition over the last few years.
How has your game evolved between your first Varsity Match and now?
I think anyone who played with me would agree I was very raw in 2022, good with the ball but other areas lacking. Over the last 5 years I’ve probably put on a bit of size and developed my all-round game. I can sometimes do little attacking kicks now and my catch pass and aerial skills are a cut above what they were when I first started in the Blues.
How do you help first-time Blues prepare for Varsity?
I think it’s vitally important to remind everyone that they have been selected for a reason, and to not shy away from that. Each player will have specific skills which have earnt them the shirt and they should not be afraid to express themselves on the day. I also like to remind lads that it is a game of rugby, it is easy to get lost in the occasion and not stay focused on ourselves. Often, applying too much pressure to yourself can result in performance dropping, the opposite of what we want on Varsity day.
Who has had the biggest influence on you in rugby so far?
I haven’t seen or spoken to him in a while but I definitely owe a lot to Paul Morris, who was the Cinderford coach up until last year. I had a few seasons playing for the Cinderford IIs and doing pre seasons with the squad during sixth form and 1st year. I learnt a lot in this time and he gave me a lot of confidence to make the step into mens’ rugby. He trusted me to start the first 4 games of the National 1 season in 2021, the first game actually being against a Shanners-coached Blackheath. This was before I even had a blues cap and really allowed me to hit the ground running for the blues in the 2021/22 season and I haven’t really looked back since.
In Conversation with Sara Crozier (PhD in Earth Sciences)
How did you first get into rugby, and what has your journey been like so far?
I finally gave in to Izzi Millar’s persistent nagging and came along to a training session not long before the 2024 Varsity Matches
Having come from a football background i could run around and hold my own physically, but i had no idea how to play rugby apart from the ball has to go backwards…
Two weeks later i was having the time of my life with an amazing group of girls in the Jaguars Varsity on the wet and cold pitches of Iffley Road and thought to stick with this next year, not at all thinking id be put immediately onto the Blues side due to the high turnover we had that year! That was definitely a scary jump and I had to adapt fast to the new level of physicality, and also to new set plays and rules i was previously unaware of. Regardless, I had amazing people around me both on the team and from the coaching side: they all shaped me into the player i am today! Still enjoying it too!
You’ve already experienced a Varsity Match — what was that like from your perspective?
The atmosphere was amazing, definitely helped by the weather that day. Knowing you were part of something so historic and important too was quite surreal, and a little emotional. The main thing I remember though is how well we did: we may not have won but it was one of the best games of rugby we had played all year, and I can tell you it’s the most fun I’ve had on a rugby pitch.
One of the most important aspects for me was the fact that we showed up for each other, the cohesion we had as a team was so good. You could see it on our faces because we were laughing and smiling even after the loss, and I will cherish that feeling forever.
What does pulling on the Light Blue shirt for Varsity mean to you?
The history, the personal achievement, the breaking of stereotypes of femininity, watching your friends do amazing things etc.,
How do you see your role within the current squad?
Senior leader, friendly face, joker off the pitch but a reliable player on the pitch
What standards or habits do you try to model for the group?
Leading the group by example, being a voice, always running in to the coaches when called, being the first to grab a shirt in the circle, helping to tidy up at the end, and staying focussed (although I do tend to chatter a bit too much)