- DCRUFC
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Downing College Rugby Club Full name Downing College Rugby Union Football Club Union Rugby Football Union Nickname(s) DCRUFC Region Cambridge University, Cambridge, England Ground(s) Downing College Sport's Pitches Captain(s) 
Steve TownendDowning College Rugby Union Football Club (also referred to as DCRUFC and Downing Rugby) is the official Rugby Union team of Downing College, one of the constituent colleges of Cambridge University. Boasting the longest sustained period in the top division of Cambridge University's inter-collegiate league, the team will embark on their 22nd campaign within this league at the beginning of the 2011/12 season.[1]
Contents
History
2007/2008 Season
"In a league campaign strikingly similar to last year's, Downing Rugby started slowly in Michaelmas term. A poor performance against a beatable Magdalene side combined with losses to Jesus and John's left Downing threatened, relegation looming, despite strong victories over Girton and Hommerton (twice) showing potential.
Captain Jamie Saunder's stalinist pre-midseason training schedule paid off with the best performance of the year, a memorable turnaround against Jesus, securing a 19-12 victory, having been behind at half time. Sam Shribman's sniping breakand finish from 40 metres set the platform for a win, securing top division status. Momentum coninued against Girton the following week. Dynamic, open rugby led to a 46-0 defeat of a side we'd consigned to the 2nd division a week before.
A 3rd place finish in Division 1 reflected the improvement of the squad over the year and took us into the annual old boy's fixture with confidence high. Forwards and backs fronted up against a physical opponent, showing the cohesion needed to outscore them four tries to two; before the inevitable post match festivities.
Unfortunately the run of form did not continue into cuppers, with a poor performanceat lowly queens' leaving us in the plate competition. A strong win against Magdalene at the third time of asking, was followed by a win over Peterhouse/Selwyn, taking us into the plate final at Grange road. Strong winds made it difficult to play the kind of rugby we would have liked and a tight game ended 17-7 to a girton side more adept at playing 10 man rugby. New captain Jim moyle and myself will be hoping to live up to the expectation of another excellent season for Downing next term."Matt Halford, Club Secretary
Club Colours
The rugby club play in Downing College colours of magenta and black. Shirts vary from season to season but are generally magenta and black hoops, with black shorts and black socks with two magenta hoops around the top.
Sponsorship
DCRUFC have recently acquired sponsorship from Citigroup for the 2009 to 2011 period. The team are now looking for new sponsors for the 2011/12 season. The team's annual easter tours are traditionally sponsored by The Panton Arms of Cambridge; the pub where the team hosts its weekly social events.
Captains
2005/6 - Jake Goodman
2006/7 - Pete Knipe
2007/8 - Jamie Saunders
2008/9 - Jim Moyle
2009/10 - Matt Halford
2010/11 - Keith Hagyard
2011/12 - Steve TownendWomen's Rugby
Downing college has, in recent years, proudly supported its womens' rugby team. Coached by members of the men's first XV and the female team enjoyed early successes, winning Cuppers in the 2006/07 season and reaching the semi-final in the 2007-08 season. Captain for the 2008/09 season was Lucy Chumas. Unfortunately due to lack of participation the team as been forced to temporarily withdraw from competition and did not compete in the 2010/11 season.
Rugby Boat
Each year, during the Easter Term (when there are no league fixtures), the club typically enters a boat for the May Bumps rowing competition; known as Downing College Rugby Union Football Club Boat club, or DCRUFCBC for short. This involves a period of intense preparation during exam term, followed by a flourish of guile, precision and flair, not to mention strength and determination, during the 4 day competition.
2007/2008 Season
The rugby boat qualified for Division 6, after a preliminary "Getting On" time trial race.[2]
Day 1 - Bumped Girton IV.
Day 2 - Overbumped Girton III.
Day 3 - Bumped by Kings IV.
Day 4 - Rowed over.[3]2010/2011 Season
The crew qualified in 6th place in division six without being required to row the Getting On Race.[4] They raced as 'Downing IV', with slightly disappointing results but showed fierce determination and a good sprint start. The crew was unfortunate not to bump during the competition.
Day 1 - Rowed over.
Day 2 - Bumped by Clare IV.
Day 3 - Bumped by Kings IV.
Day 4 - Rowed over.[5]References
- The Griffin, Easter Term 2008 (Downing College's Undergraduate Newspaper)
- Downing College JCR
- http://www.cucbc.org/charts?year=2008&event=M&day=Fi&sex=M
External links
Categories:- English rugby union teams
- Sport in Cambridge
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