2012 – 2013

Officers: Captain Christian Walters; Secretary, Thomas Masters

After falling into the basement division at the end of the 2011-12 season, the Club has enjoyed something of a resurgence this year. A new crop of freshers added some real quality to the team in key positions and encouraged a much more committed performance from the experienced members of the squad. A new brand of flowing attacking rugby saw the fifth division brushed aside with ease, 77-0 and 83-12 victories in the two games against Hertford being particular highlights, and promotion was secured with a game to spare.

The team entered the fourth division full of confidence and ready to deploy the same swashbuckling style that had accounted for its rise. The first two games were unfortunately conceded by the opposition, the result of which was that the team entered the final week of Michaelmas Term having not played for three weeks. Any ‘ring rust’ was not evident, however, for Trinity were dismantled in a very one sided affair 78-0. In the new year only one victory was needed for promotion to the third division, but unfortunately the weather caused the cancellation of both remaining fixtures, and promotion was therefore unattainable.

The team entered Cuppers feeling rather harshly treated by the weather, but fortunately this did not affect the performance in the first round which saw a 43-0 victory over division-three Jesus. Next in line were division-two Lincoln and a resolute defensive display, alongside the now customary attacking flair, saw Queen’s win a very close game 35-28 and progress into the quarter-finals, where St Edmund Hall were waiting. As has been the case so often in the past, the star-studded Hall side proved too strong, but Queen’s only succumbed after a fierce fight of which the College can be proud.

Next year’s captain, Hamish Tester, takes over with the Club in rude health, and there is no doubt that the rise of Q.C.R.F.C. will continue under him. The commitment of everyone associated with the Club has been fantastic this year, and special thanks go to those leaving Queen’s this year for their commitment over the last three or four years: Fred Garrett, Matt Green, Matt Guinness, Michael Johnson, Tom Masters, Joe Moxham, Adam Wallymahmed, and Christian Walters.