Local girls Shekinah Opara and Pat Metcalfe-Jones both wanted to end their Oxford University rugby careers at their home Twickenham Stadium patch last Thursday on a winning note but a stroke of genius from their light blue rivals unfortunately meant it wasn't to be.

 

The Women's Varsity Match was heading towards a dark blues victory until Coreen Grant's fine solo try in the 77th minute ensured Cambridge University an 8-5 success in wet slippery conditions and more importantly retain uni bragging rights yet again.

 

Unfortunately for Wandsworth-born Opara, 21, who was playing in her second Varsity Match, was a defeat hard to take in despite the gallant effort from her colleagues.

 

"We knew it was going to be a tight game," said the former Wallington Grammer School pupil.

 

"We were looking like the winners with three minutes to go but they just nicked it right at the end. It's really frustrating but it's just one of those things in sport.

 

"Obviously there was lots of tears on the pitch but we are really proud at the way we played because we've done another spectacular show. We did our game plan as well but we just got really unlucky at the end."

 

Pat Metcalfe-Jones, 22, who will now return to Tyrells Premier 15 action with her club side Richmond Women felt her side had it in the bag until the inevitable happened.

 

"Every loss is difficult to take," she said. "A loss when we had it until last three is especially difficult. It was a hard day at the office for us. 

 

"This was my third and final varsity match. I've won one, lost one and unfortunately today it bounces the scales the wrong way.

 

"Playing at Twickenham is a privilege, honour and what an occasion. I speak on behalf of both Oxford and Cambridge when I say that it what makes a Varsity Match unique and special and it adds that little bit extra."

 

And Metcalfe-Jones believes Richmond Women, who are currently lying ninth in the Tyrells Premier 15, can turn their season round in the second half of season 2019-20.

 

"We've had a tough start to the season but hopefully the second half of the season will be a little brighter."

 

Oxford also lost the men's game 15-0. Putney-based Ryan Jones, 21, who also played for Richmond and London Scottish, felt his side put up a good performance despite playing on a wet and slippery Twickenham turf.

 

"It was tough and it was hard to string some play together due to the conditions but we've played really well," he said.

 

"We started off well. We needed to be aggressive but we fronted up really well. We had a few injuries early on but that didn't hinder us at all. We kept our heads up and it was hard to play the game because of the weather conditions."