The
biggest Welsh University sporting occasion is just over 24 hours away, when
Cardiff University and Swansea University rugby teams take to the field for the
16th annual Varsity
match at the Millennium Stadium. They will be cheered on by thousands of their
fellow students and many alumni looking to rekindle their pre-tax hey-days!
But what can we expect?...
Swansea will be looking to make it three wins in a row after their 28-18
victory last year. However, having only garnered promotion to the top
tier of the BUCS leagues this season, the Red and Blacks have acquitted themselves
with aplomb, exceeding even their own expectations by finishing third in the
table and defeating their Swansea rivals twice along the way in what will
surely give them the psychological edge.
Both teams are very well
acquainted with each other, with many players pulling on the same club colours
every week as their adversaries such as Arthur Ellis (Cardiff) and Jonathan
Vaughan (Swansea), who have both been regulars for Bridgend Ravens in the Welsh
Premiership this season.
But with crunch time
approaching, those close friendships will be put to one side as they pull on
the crest of their respective colleges and become instant heroes to the
thousands of adoring fans watching.It will be an emotional occasion for those representing their university for the last time, such as Swansea's 2010 winning captain Kerry O'Sullivan, who will don the green and white for the fourth and final time at Varsity.
The day is a culmination of
the universities' sporting prowess as, along with the Varsity Cup up for grabs
in the showpiece is the Varsity Shield, whereby the two universities compete in
a number of sporting events, from ultimate Frisbee to the more traditional
fencing. Unfortunately due to the inclement weather, a number of fixtures have
been cancelled with the ladies rugby, freshers rugby and the American football
all falling foul. In what is the highlight match of the year for many of the
students, it must be a devastating blow, with weeks of effort washed away in
the rain.
After the day’s sporting events, the
festivities move to a more affable setting with the students giving their best
efforts at drinking Cardiff dry, before the atmosphere changes to one of
anticipation and excitement of what the evening's spectacle will hold. Luckily
the Stadium roof will have protected the playing surface from the deluge of
rain to provide a perfect stage for the warriors to take to battle. So who will
win?
Swansea have the proven track record in
this event, the nous, the big stage mentality and the experience, but they must
surely start as underdogs based on form over the past academic year, with
Cardiff boosting great results and a number of outstanding performers this
season. But I still bleed Green and, for me, it has to be a Swansea victory!
When the dust settles on the night, only
one University will emerge with the bragging and banter rights in South Wales.
Well, at least till next year!
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