Chloe-Marie Hawley produced a virtuoso performance, amassing a personal haul of 12 points to steer the Oxford University Women’s team to a record-breaking 52-8 demolition of Cambridge in the annual Varsity Match. In front of a fervent crowd, the Dark Blues ran in eight spectacular tries to retain the title in emphatic fashion.
The match, however, began chaotically. The opening exchanges were marred by ill-discipline from Oxford, who conceded four penalties in the first six minutes as Cambridge looked to establish a foothold. The early pressure turned to concern for the Dark Blues when they were forced into an early substitution.
Far from disrupting their rhythm, the setback seemed to galvanise Oxford. The next ten minutes were a period of relentless dominance, and it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken. In the 15th minute, flanker Harris-Lovett produced a moment of magic, slicing through the Cambridge defence with a sublime sidestep to score under the posts. Hawley, who was imperious with the boot all afternoon, added the simple conversion to make it 7-0.
Oxford’s forward pack began to assert their physicality, and it was from their power that the second try originated. In the 32nd minute, a quick penalty restart from Sophie Shams caught the Cambridge defence napping. The ball was swiftly moved to Mel Morley, who crashed over. Hawley’s conversion drifted just wide, leaving the score at 12-0.
The Dark Blues weren’t finished in the first half. Just before the interval, Sophie Goodman showcased her opportunism, darting over from a quick tap-and-go. Hawley was once again on target with the conversion, sending Oxford into the break with a commanding 19-0 lead.
Oxford started the second half with the same intensity, but were momentarily reduced to 14 players when Liv Rosin was shown a yellow card in the 48th minute. Undeterred and showing the champions’ spirit, Oxford extended their lead while a player down. In the 52nd minute, Sophie Shams gathered the ball and powered over for the team’s fourth try. Hawley, unfazed by the numerical disadvantage, slotted the conversion to make it 26-0.
With the result beyond doubt, Oxford emptied their bench in the 55th minute, introducing fresh legs. Cambridge finally got on the scoresheet shortly after, against the run of play. A stunning individual effort from Esther Makourin, who embarked on a mesmerising 60-metre solo drive, brought the Light Blues their first taste of points. The conversion was missed, as the scoreboard read 26-5.
The response from Oxford was immediate and ruthless. Just seven minutes later, replacement Tillie Lees finished off another quick tap-and-go move to cross the whitewash. Hawley’s conversion was perfect. She then turned provider in the 67th minute, producing a brilliant offload to send Harris-Lovett racing in for her second try of the afternoon, which Hawley again converted to push the score to 40-5.
Oxford were relentless. Forcing a knock-on from Cambridge, they struck again through Kim Lopez Guell, who powered over for the team’s seventh try. Hawley maintained her record in the second half with another textbook conversion.
Any hopes Cambridge had of a late consolation were dashed when their second row, Sanchez Arroyo, was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle. Oxford immediately exploited the extra space, with Charlotte Scowen touching down for their eighth and final try in the dying embers of the game.
To their credit, Cambridge never stopped fighting, and a late penalty from Cooper brought their final tally to eight points, but it did little to dampen the Oxford celebrations.
The final whistle confirmed a historic 52-8 victory and a famous day for the Dark Blues. For her all-round excellence with the boot and her creative playmaking, Chloe Hawley was a deserved recipient of the Bunting Peggers Award for Player of the Match.
Final Score: Oxford University Women 52 – 8 Cambridge University Women
Scoring Sequence (Oxford unless stated):
15min: Harris-Lovett try, Hawley con (7-0)
32min: M. Morley try (12-0)
40min: S. Goodman try, Hawley con (19-0)
HT: 19-0
52min: S. Shams try, Hawley con (26-0)
55min: E. Makourin try (CURUFC) (26-5)
62min: T. Lees try, Hawley con (33-5)
67min: Harris-Lovett try, Hawley con (40-5)
72min: K. Lopez Guell try, Hawley con (47-5)
78min: C. Scowen try (52-5)
80min: Cooper pen (CURUFC) (52-8)
Player of the Match: Chloe Hawley (Bunting Peggers Award)