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