Oxford Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Oxford. The club was founded in 1909 as "Oxfordshire Nomads RUFC".[1]
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| Full name | Oxford Rugby Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Union | Oxfordshire RFU | |
| Founded | 1909 | |
| Location | Oxford, Oxfordshire, England | |
| Ground(s) | North Hinksey Park, North Hinksey Village | |
| Chairman | John Brodley | |
| President | Martin Walsh | |
| Coach(es) | Dominic Matthews and Tom Wells | |
| Captain(s) | Ben Reed 1st XV | |
| League(s) | Counties 2 Tribute Berks/Bucks & Oxon North | |
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| Official website | ||
| oxfordrfc | ||
History
editThe club was established in 1909 as "Oxfordshire Nomads RUFC".[1] The club wound up in 1919 after 18 members were killed in the World War I, but Oxfordshire recovered and were back to field two years later.[2] The club changed to "Oxford RFC" after a merger in 1948,[2] and moved to Southern Bypass, in 1951.[3]
During the seventies the club were known as Oxford City RFC and competed in the 1971–72 John Player Cup which today is known as the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[4] Their most famous player was arguably Michael James Parsons known as Jim Parsons who was capped by England four times in the 1968 Five Nations Championship, after joining Northampton Saints.[5] In the 1988–89 Pilkington Cup they did well to progress to the third round but were then drawn away to four time winners and England's leading club at the time Bath, which resulted in an 82-9 hammering.[citation needed]
Current situation
editThe club runs 2 Senior teams, and a Colts. The 1st XV currently play in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon 2 North which is towards the bottom (level 8 out of a possible 11) of the RFU League Pyramid. This is following demotion from BBO Premiership in the 2019/2020 season, and then unfortunately losing out on promotion to Oxford Quins 2nd XV in the 22/23 Season, and High Wycombe in the 23/24 Season.
Oxford RFC 1st XV regularly play against many other local 2nd and 3rd XV's as part of their league season (23/24 Season including: Banbury RFC 2nd XV, Tring RFC 2nd XV, Oxford Quins 3rd XV, Witney 2nd XV). Despite this, and rightfully so, Oxford RFC still approach each week with great enthusiasm and a positive rugby ethos. They play their home games at North Hinksey Park in North Hinksey Village. The club colours are Green, Black & Silver Hoops.[6]
Honors
edit- Oxfordshire RFU County Cup winners (11): 1971, 1973, 1975, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
- Bucks/Oxon 1 champions: 2000–01
- Southern Counties Cup Winners 2017–18
- Berks/Bucks & Oxon 2 North Champions: 2021 - 2022
References
edit- ^ a b Oxford RFC history (archived, 8 Mar 2013)
- ^ a b RUGBY UNION: Oxford history worth a read by Ed Mezzetti on Oxford Mail, 19 Dec 2007
- ^ "Rugby Union in Oxford". Oxford Mail. 19 December 2007.
- ^ Jenkins, Vivian (1975). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook. Brickfield Publications Ltd. ISBN 0362-00221-5.
- ^ "Rugby Union". ESPN.
- ^ "South West Rugby Union". South West Rugby.co.uk/.
