
Rugby
Between the classic chocolate, the adventurous peanut and the fan-favourite crunch, there are a variety of flavours from which M&Ms lovers can choose. To explore all that the delicious treat has to offer, enthusiasts the world over flock to the M&M’s store in the heart of London which proudly holds the title of the world’s largest candy store. Our very own M&Ms – based in Oxford rather than Leicester Square – may differ in substance to their confectionery namesake, but the variety of flavours on offer is arguably superior. In the club’s decorated history the rugby on display has reached the heights of the crunch and the lows of the peanut. In years past there were enough Ms to fill a family-share packet; in recent years our numbers have been fun-size. That said, there is only one way to package the contents of this season: a ‘mixed bag’.
Our first and only competitive rugby game of the season came against Christ Church in Michaelmas term. Having dropped to the plate division of Cuppers, the club amalgamated with Trinity College to field a team of eleven. Although the numbers were more suitable for football, there was no diving on display that afternoon. From try-saving tackles by Fergus Waterhouse (2019) to exquisite playmaking by David Craig (2019), the Ms put on a spectacle. Although falling short 35-14 (having begun with a seven-point penalty), the Ms could rightly leave the pitch with their heads held high. In the following months the club’s main opponent was a lack of players. Unfortunately, this meant that fixtures against Peterhouse and the Ms Old Boys could not go ahead.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Trinity term saw the revival of Ms rugby. The club was able to host weekly tag rugby sessions which grew in popularity as the term went on. In 5th Week, the club competed in Mixed Touch Rugby Cuppers. For the first time in M&M history the team reached the final of this event. Beginning the tournament as underdogs, the Ms gathered momentum as the sunny day dragged on, beating Keble and Balliol in the knockout rounds. Although ultimately falling short to St Catherine’s College there was an immense effort displayed by all involved. This puts the club in a promising position to grab some silverware next year.
I would like to extend sincere thanks to Simon Brown who facilitated Ms rugby this season through thick and thin. Thank you to James Lisle, Jonathan Prag and all the powers-that-be in the colleges of Merton and Mansfield. Finally, thank you to everyone who put on an Ms jersey this season. To those moving on – I’ll see you when the Old Boys game returns next year. Have your gumshields ready.
Joshua Treacy (Mansfield, 2020)
Rugby Captain 2022-23
This season has not been the easiest for the M&Ms. The first game of the season was the first round of Cuppers against Univ. Unfortunately, limited numbers meant that a 10v10, reduced-time match was played. Univ’s fly-half scored three tries in the first half but an impressive and imposing performance by the Ms in the second half and a try from Max Wormsley meant the game finished 21-7. This put the Ms in the quarter-finals of the bowl against Jesus. Again, a full 15v15 was not possible and the Ms played at a two-man disadvantage. Despite a strong effort from the Ms and no one giving up, the two-man advantage proved too much. The Ms went out of the bowl to a 50-0 defeat.
Hilary would prove even harder for the Ms. The Ms were unable to put a side out for the league due to a mixture of injuries and players competing at University level. The Ms, however, were not completely deprived of rugby. In the annual Peterhouse match, which was played as 7s, the Ms won 7-14 with the help of some players from St Hilda’s, Peterhouse’s other sister college. In this match, David Craig stepped up and began his stint of captaining the Ms, after Oliver Elliot-Williams was forced to step back from rugby by a series of concussions. Additionally, an Old Boys’ Match went ahead, which the Old Boys won. Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable event for all involved which provided some joy and respite after a very difficult season for Ms rugby.
Oliver Elliot-Williams (Mansfield, 2020)
M&Ms Rugby Captain 2021-22
Inspired by Eddie Jones’ mantra, the M&M rugby team took it upon itself to consider the last four years of disappointment to be its own World Cup cycle of building solely for this academic year. Past results did not weigh heavy on the team and, being well aware that it would be the last year that many of its stalwarts would wear the maroon jersey, it really was the ‘last chance saloon’.
Player numbers again in Michaelmas looked bare but, thankfully, the team was bolstered by a number of new fresher signings of inter alia Luke Newland, Victor Angelov and Alex Higson (all 2023). These new players, along with a highly desirable merger with no less than three other colleges, meant that the M&Ms were more than equipped to field a competitive team. The M&Ms were raring and ready for whatever challenges the league or Cuppers would bring.
However, much like South Africa’s World Cup campaign, things did not start smoothly for the M&Ms. Faced with the combined St Hilda’s/Magdalen team in the opening round of Cuppers, early unfamiliarity among the newly combined team meant that the M&Ms were unable to execute their pre-planned moves or dominate the gain line successfully. Going down to the St Hilda’s/Magdalen team therefore meant that the M&Ms were pushed into the Plate division. Nevertheless, spirits remained high and the potential in the team was clear as reflected by the drop goal penalty from David Craig (2019).
Seeking to bounce back from the early Cuppers disappointment, the M&Ms poured their anguish into training. Numbers remained high throughout Michaelmas, Hilary and Trinity which ensured a well-rotated team could be played week in, week out, for our league fixtures. Over the course of these terms, the M&Ms were able to obtain comprehensive league victories over the likes of Exeter/Univ/Trinity, Queen’s and Jesus as well as sweet revenge over St Hilda’s/Magdalen. Completing a clean sweep of victories also, crucially, ensured that the M&Ms were victors of the league and returned home with some much-deserved silverware.
The successes of the M&Ms did not stop there, though. Rather, the team continued with its upwards trajectory by obtaining further Cuppers victories over both Keble and Oriel, in turn ensuring that the team earned its place in the Plate Cuppers final against Exeter/Univ/Trinity. Having not won a game for the past four years and then suddenly having the chance to achieve a historic double, the team (perhaps to its detriment) felt as if anything was possible.
The final, played at Iffley Road, was a gripping watch. Throughout the game, spectators were treated to the M&Ms’ full array of skills including a pick-and-go try, chip-and-chase try, a miss-pass try as well as a confident calling of the mark. However, it must be admitted that it did appear that the team was almost trying its best to make it an even contest, seemingly conceding a penalty at every opportunity. This theme continued throughout the match, meaning that the team was unable to generate any real continuity or momentum, but nevertheless the M&Ms stuck at it and managed to ensure that the team lead 15–10 going into the final five minutes. However, following an unfortunate botched exit from the M&Ms and sustained pressure from the opposition, Exeter/Univ/Trinity were able to power over in the dying minutes of the game with a converted score. With that, the final whistle blew leaving the final score as Exeter/Univ/Trinity 17 – M&Ms 15.
Heartbreak could be one word to describe the cruel ending to the M&Ms season, but pride is a better one. Throughout the season, the team went from strength to strength, and the heights of what the M&Ms could achieve became obvious. Outside the regular 15s season, it must be noted that the team was no less impressive, also achieving silverware in both the mixed touch rugby and men 7s. I have no doubt that the club will continue to flourish and offer a special thanks to outgoing M&Ms David Craig and Lachie Scarsbrook (2021), as well as incoming captain Ben Hayes (2023) who only took up the sport this academic year.
Forever standing.
Myles Kelly (2020)
M&Ms Rugby Captain 2023–24