A Night with the Queens’ British & Irish Lions
12 August 2016
Master of Ceremonies Max Duthie (1989)
Generously sponsored by
Robert “Chopper” Gall (1989) QCRFC Captain 1992
By kind permission of the Fellows of Queens’ A message from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz
This event celebrates a wonderful sport and Queens’ remarkable contribution to the story of rugby: a Cambridge college that is a production line for truly great British and Irish centre three-quarters. Mike Gibson, John Spencer and Jamie Roberts have represented this University, their countries and the Lions with the utmost distinction and all three continue to serve the game in 2016. Two other British & Irish Lions, Thomas Gibson (1903 and 1910 tours) and David Marques (1959 tour), also studied at Queens’ College and represented the University. At school in Cardiff, I grew up with a love for the sport and still watch games wherever possible. I am proud of how Light Blue teams and individuals down the years have taken Cambridge’s name onto some of rugby’s greatest stages, and continue to do so. The Varsity match is perhaps the ultimate in one-off rugby matches and still provides a platform for both male and female players to go on and play professional and international rugby, as well as to play for enjoyment’s sake. For college players at Cambridge, the Cuppers competition is still of paramount importance in their sporting lives and, as a University, we are proud that so many male and female teams take part in this sport we all love. Tonight is a celebration of the great sport of Rugby Football and three special Queens’ members:
Mike Gibson (1963) Ireland Elected as an Honorary Fellow of the College in 2013
John Spencer (1967) England Appointed Manager of the 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour to New Zealand
Jamie Roberts (2015) Wales the College’s first Rugby World Cup player
And two other Queens’ Lions in memoriam Thomas Gibson (1899) & David Marques (1953)
We also celebrate all those who have played rugby for Queens’ and who enjoy the game
Special mentions: The 1966 Cuppers & League-winning XV The 1968 Cuppers-winning XV The 1970 Cuppers-winning XV (6-3 v Selwyn) The 2003 Cuppers and League-winning Women’s 7s
Thanks are due to Our Master of Ceremonies, Max Duthie (1989) (Legal Counsel for the 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia) Generous sponsorship for the event and the Club comes from “Chopper” Gall (1989), who has also funded sets of shirts for the Queens’ Men’s and Women’s teams. He has donated £1,992 for tonight to mark the year of his captaincy. Thank you Mr Mike Gibson MBE
School: Campbell College, Belfast Subject: Law (Director of Studies – Arthur Armitage and Derek Bowett) Feats whilst at Queens’: capped by Ireland; missed the Cuppers- winning team photo; sat his Finals and flew straight to join the Lions Tour of 1966 Little-known facts: Mike became a first class hockey umpire after retiring from rugby; his daughter, Jan, is a notable hockey player. He worked for Mark Rosser’s (1971) father’ law firm. Mark played with Mike occasionally for NIFC. Mike’s son, Colin, played for Gloucester RFC.
Mike for the Barbarians, 28 Dec. 1976 Feats in the sport: Cambridge • Blues in 1963, 1964, 1965 (captain) Clubs: • North of Ireland FC & Barbarians. Played club rugby till the age of 42. International • Second most decorated Lion after Willie-John McBride, Mike played 68 matches for the Lions, won 69 caps for Ireland and 12 caps for the Lions, making him at one time the world’s most capped player. His five Lions tours is still a record alongside McBride (1966, 1968, 1971, 1974, 1977) • 1971 Lions Tour series winner in New Zealand • Played in the 1973 Barbarians v All Blacks classic • Guest of honour at the CU Women’s RFC dinner in 2013 – at Queens’ • IRB (World Rugby) Hall of Fame member Mr Mike Gibson MBE
Mike with Samantha Graham (univ.capt. 12/13) & Fiona Gillanders (President 12/13) Mr John Spencer
Left from top: John Spencer at Astbourne, 24th May 1971. John Spencer for the Barbarians, 26th September 1970. John Spencer, Andy Irvine, John Feehan and Gerald Davies at Trafalgar Square, 18th October 2010. John Spencer leading the Blues out against Harlequins, 1969. Mr John Spencer School: Sedbergh
Subject: Law (Director of Studies – Arthur Armitage and Derek Bowett)
Feats whilst at Queens’: shared rooms in Old Court with Jacko Page; capped for England as a 21-year old undergraduate v Ireland (alongside David Duckham and opposite Mike Gibson) Left from top: John Spencer at Astbourne, 24th May 1971. Feats in the sport: John Spencer for the Barbarians, 26th September 1970. John Spencer, Andy Irvine, John Queens’ Feehan and Gerald Davies at 1968 Cuppers winner Trafalgar Square, 18th October 2010. John Spencer leading the Blues out Cambridge against Harlequins, 1969. Blues in of 1967, 1968 and 1969 (captain)
Clubs Headingley, Wharfedale & Barbarians. Current President of Wharfedale RFC
International • England – 14 caps and captained the side on 4 occasions • 1971 British & Irish Lions Tour of New Zealand • IRB (World Rugby) Hall of Fame member • Currently head of Club England & Senior Vice-President, RFU • 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour Manager Dr Jamie Roberts School: Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf Undergraduate: Cardiff University School of Medicine Current Subject: MPhil in Orthopaedic Surgery (two years part-time) Feats whilst at Queens’: biggest ever rugby player to be resident in College
Feats in the sport:
Queens’ Yet to be selected
Jamie for CURUFC 4 Nov. 2015 Cambridge Blue in 2015 Clubs Cardiff RFC, Cardiff Blues, Racing 92, Harlequins & Barbarians. International • Wales – 89 caps (debut in 2008) • Two Grand Slams and two RBS Six Nations titles • Played in RWCs 2011 and 2015 • 2009 British & Irish Lions Player of the Series • 2013 British & Irish Lions series winner in Australia • 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour hopeful Dr Jamie Roberts A History of Queens’ Rugby Union Blues and Internationals INTERNATIONALS
1890 Charles “Boomer” Nicholl (Wales – 15 caps) 1896 Nigel Fletcher (England, 4 caps) 1899 Thomas Gibson (England – 2 caps & Lions) 1943 Pat Sykes (England, 7 caps) 1944 Barry Holmes (England, 4 caps; Argentina, 2 caps) 1953 David Marques (England – 25 caps & Lions – 2 caps) 1961 Geoff Frankcom (England – 4 caps) 1963 Mike Gibson (Ireland – 69 caps & Lions – 12 caps) 1967 John Spencer (England – 14 caps & Lions) 1967 Jacko Page (England – 5 caps) 1968 Mike Biggar (Scotland – 24 caps) 2015 Jamie Roberts (Wales - 83 caps & Lions - 3 caps)
BLUES
Blues (Men) Pat Sykes, Barry Holmes, John Langham, Richard Umbers, David Marques, Mike Patterson, Geoff Frankcom, Tony Pender, Mike Gibson, Nick Cosh, John Spencer, Jacko Page, Walt Jones, Mike Biggar, Paul Smith, Tony Kitchin, Graham Phillips, Mark Rosser, Mark Wainwright, Paul Alder, Max Duthie, Ben Rudge, Tom Woolsey, Will Balfour
Half Blues (Women) Sarah Bloomfield (née Fox), Catherine Gale (née Thomas), Melanie Pearn (née Scholes), Rowena Price, Andrea Turner
Full Blues (Women) Jayne McKinlay, Mary Shepperson, Fiona Gillanders, Antonia Robbins, Esteira Hiwaizi
University Women’s President: Fiona Gillanders A History of Queens’ Rugby Union Blues and Internationals INTERNATIONALS
1890 Charles “Boomer” Nicholl (Wales – 15 caps) 1896 Nigel Fletcher (England, 4 caps) 1899 Thomas Gibson (England – 2 caps & Lions) 1943 Pat Sykes (England, 7 caps) 1944 Barry Holmes (England, 4 caps; Argentina, 2 caps) 1953 David Marques (England – 25 caps & Lions – 2 caps) 1961 Geoff Frankcom (England – 4 caps) 1963 Mike Gibson (Ireland – 69 caps & Lions – 12 caps) 1967 John Spencer (England – 14 caps & Lions) Barry Holmes 1967 Jacko Page (England – 5 caps) (1944) as Finalist 1968 Mike Biggar (Scotland – 24 caps) in Cuppers, 1948 2015 Jamie Roberts (Wales - 83 caps & Lions - 3 caps)
Esteira Hiwaizi (2012) with the Women’s Rugby Varsity Trophy, March 2015
*All information according to our records Queens’ College Rugby Club – latest developments Two players of particular note will at Queens’ this coming season, in addition to Jamie Roberts:
•Ollie Phillips (2016) former IRB World 7s Player of the Year, former England 7s captain, Gloucester & Stade Francais. Course: Executive MBA (Judge Business School) •Charlie Amesbury (2016) formerly of Harlequins, now with Bristol Rugby. Course: MSt in Social Innovation (Judge Business School)
Queens’ Rugby Club was restructured in June in order to:
•Amalgamate the men’s and women’s sections and encourage MCR participation •Appoint a coach to work with both the Mens’ and Women’s teams •Appoint a Fellow Patron who can help with strategy and succession from year to year •Appoint Honorary Patrons from among the alumni to give the Club further distinction and encourage alumni to be involved officially N.B. •A new section for the Rugby Club is on the College website •There is determination to maintain the tradition of some form of annual alumni match or event and an annual Club Dinner
2015-16: President: Cameron Anderson (2014) Fellow Patron: Mr Rowan Kitt Men’s Captain: Claude Macnaughton (2014) Women’s Captain: Charlotte Harrop (2014) Hon Patrons: TBC
Recent events •The College hosted the Rugby World Cup 2015 Match Officials for lunch and a tour round Cambridge. Romain Poite (France) presented a signed shirt to the Club which is mounted in the Bar. •Queens’ Men’s XV have reached two successive Cuppers Plate Finals in the last two years, losing both. Gwyn Prescott’s Rugby Books Gwyn is a former Welsh schoolboy international prop forward, who played for the LX Club and a dozen times for the Varsity side. He was part of the victorious Cuppers XV of 1968. “Since retiring, I have become an historian of the game and have written several books on early rugby. Jamie Roberts, you may be aware, is not the first Welsh rugby international from Queens’. Queensman Charles “Boomer” Nicholl (1890) won four Blues 1890- 1893, captained the University in 1892 and won fifteen Welsh caps at forward 1891-1896. He is mentioned in the Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union and Fields of Praise (1980) by Dai Smith and Gareth Williams, the well-known Welsh historians. They include a quotation from around 1893 that Nicholl was: “The most distinguished member of the least distinguished college … fond of smoking and a connoisseur of exhilarating beverages, in which strength rather than delicacy of bouquet is a predominant feature”. Given the uncomplimentary remarks about Queens’, I have asked the authors (who are good friends) for the source of this fascinating quote but sadly they cannot recall where they located it!”
Charlotte Harrop, Will Fenby & Roman Poite at Queens’, October 2015 Some great Queens’ teams
1962 XV – Cuppers finalists SC Nicholas, CT Simey, JLV Bush, GP Frankcom, PGR Lyon, RAR Burton, DS Bousfield, RG Garfield, D Owen, DRB Martin, K Geddes, MP Coultas, AR Pender, GK McCormack, GR Blackwell
1963-64 League Champions JLV Bush (capt) AC Nacht, JB Cooke, DM Cowie, BRC Gibson, MJB Wood, JA Sills, GJH Price, DC Last, RG Garfield, GP Frankcom, JA Streule, JD Perkins PA Kitchin, MJ Hodgson, D Chambers, RA Kottler
1966 Cuppers & League Champions JD Perkins (capt), CMH Gibson, D Thorp, PA Kitchin, NJ Cosh, J Cohen, RCQ Farmer, JP Walmsley, JW Kidner, MP James, D Lavelle, DH Willmott, S Blencowe, S Cartmell, PB Lees, JAR Chisholm, DWJ Garrett, CJ Mellor, PB Leach, MF Dallas, DB Dennis, DJ Chambers, SM Schaefer, AR Noakes
1968 Cuppers Champions DB Dennis (capt), DJ Olsen, PE Clark, GL Prescott, JP Walmsley, DWJ Garrett, CD Chitty, JAR Chisholm, JJ Page, IW Warburton, JS Spencer, PB Lees, DK Merriott, NJ Cosh, AR Noakes, TH White, KM Mattholie
1970 Cuppers Champions TH White (capt), EJ Dennis, JJ Page, MA Biggar, WR McNabb, JS Spencer, WA Jones, KM Mattholie, DJ Olsen, CB Chitty, CJ Turnbull, PK Smith, HS Wheater, CGCH Baker, DP Norman
1985 Cuppers finalists Simon Blake (capt), Andy Orchard, Bryan Rigg, Greg Watson, John Downes, Ian Notley, Bill Milliken, Sean Notley, Gordon Pope, Martin Attfield, Pete Newnham, John Meadows, Peter Ayrey, Martin Dean, Richard Byng, Jon Boaden, Mike Potts, Malcom Forsyth, James Denham, Martin Jolly
2003 Women’s 7s League & Cuppers Champions Anna Langridge, Katie Low, Katya Giller, Mary Shepperson, Caz Pretty, Jess Hart, Bethan Ramsey, Micha Colombo. Left: Doug Dennis (1965) capt. of 1968 XV Above: 1966 Cuppers XV. Below: 1968 Cuppers XV. Queens’ College Rugby Club Captains Men’s 1950-51 Ted Richardson 1984-85 Simon Blake 1951-52 P I Reid 1985-86 Ian Notley 1952-53 R L Hitchcock 1986-87 Gordon Pope 1953-54 TJN Cartwright 1987-88 Mike Bryant 1954-55 M R M Evans 1988-89 William Bentley 1955-56 John Sanders 1989-90 Phil Mulligan 1956-57 J R Finlay 1990-91 R. Waddington 1957-58 C. Van der Lande 1991-92 Chopper Gall 1958-59 C. Van der Lande 1992-93 Adrian Clarke 1959-60 Russell Jenkins 1993-94 Justin Strain 1960-61 John McLellan 1994-95 Neil Coomber 1961-62 David Martin 1995-96 Evan Richards 1963-64 John Bush 1996-97 Lewis Bantin 1964-65 Tony Kitchin 1997-98 Benja Hedley 1965-66 Dave Perkins 1998-99 Matt Cable 1966-67 David Thorp 1999-00 James Foster 1967-68 Doug Dennis 2000-01 Chris Davison 1968-69 David Merriott 2001-02 Sam Roberts 1969-70 Tom White 2002-03 Oliver Morgans 1970-71 Robin McNabb 2003-04 William Carson 1971-72 Peter Jessup 2004-05 Robert Picken 1972-73 Richard Bolsin 2005-06 Ian Neill 1973-74 Arthur Noble 2006-07 Tom Ding 1974-75 Martin Blencowe 2007-08 Michael Shaw 1975-76 Richard Mowbray 2008-09 David Sykes 1976-77 Stephen Crowne 2009-10 Edmund Archer 1977-78 Michael Raw 2010-11 Matt Jones 1978-79 Stephen Horrocks 2011-12 Calum Roberts 1979-80 Stuart Henderson 2012-13 Spike Strang 1979-80 Dele Oniya 2013-14 Steve Conacher 1980-81 Paul Rogers 2014-15 Tom McClelland 1981-82 Jamie Brosch 2015-16 Will Fenby 1982-83 Jeremy Bown 2016-17 Claude 1983-84 Stephen Bryan Macnaughton
Right: The Queens’ 2015/16 Women’s rugby team modelling their new kit, generously sponsored by Robert “Chopper” Gall (1989). Women’s 1994-95 Bianca Sainty 1995-96 Bianca Sainty 1996-97 Sara Phillips 1997-98 Clare Barrett 1998-99 Melanie Scholes 1999-00 Helen Clay 2000-01 Rowena Price 2001-02 Mary Shepperson 2002-03 Cat Chatfield 2003-04 Caz Pretty 2004-05 Sarah Richardson 2004-05 Elaine Shirt 2006-07 Rachel Barlow 2007-08 Ernie Visser 2008-09 Charlie Drury 2009-10 Jemima Maunder-Taylor 2010-11 Gemma Phillips 2010-11 Fiona Gillanders 2011-12 Sarah Paige 2013-14 Esteira Hiwaizi 2014-15 Esteira Hiwaizi 2015-16 Charlotte Harrop In Attendance Tonight
Guests are listed by matriculation year
* denotes rugby Blue †denotes international 1954 John Sanders 1968 Robin McNabb 1954 Marriott Irons 1968 Julian Dennis 1956 Roger Mowll 1968 Mike Biggar*† 1957 Russell Jenkins 1968 Walt Jones* 1959 David Bousfield 1969 Paul Smith* 1961 Martin Coultas 1971 Mark Rosser* 1962 Jim Cowie 1975 Michael Anson 1962 Frank Buck 1976 Paul Hrycyszyn 1962 Tony Kitchin* 1977 Stuart Henderson 1962 Dick Kottler 1977 Mark Wainwright* 1962 Ron Gibson 1977 Dele Oniya 1962 Mike Hodgson 1977 Mark Goodyear 1962 Dave Perkins 1977 Paul Denvir 1962 John Walmsley 1977 Tim Coles 1963 Christopher Mellor 1978 Dave Marshall 1963 Christopher Farmer 1978 Nigel White 1963 Mike Gibson*† 1978 Bryan Stiles 1964 John Eatwell 1978 Pete Ullmann 1964 Ed Harris 1978 Mark Southern 1964 Mike James 1978 Paul Rogers 1964 David Thorp 1979 Bryan Young 1965 Ivor Warburton 1979 Jamie Brosch 1965 Philip Lees 1979 Richard Howgego 1965 Nick Cosh* 1980 Paul Alder 1965 Doug Dennis 1985 Julian Hobday 1965 Charles Willis 1987 Paul Schreier 1966 Gwyn Prescott 1987 David Rees 1966 David Merriott 1987 Phil Mulligan 1966 David Norman 1987 Steve Dobson 1966 Derek Olsen 1987 Andy Eastham 1967 Jacko Page*† 1988 Stephen Kinnock 1967 John Spencer*† 1988 Richard Waddington 1967 Tom White 1988 Alastair Beveridge 1967 Phil Green 1989 Max Duthie* In Attendance Tonight
1989 Russell Jones 2009 Mike Heap 1990 Michael Dodson 2009 Andy Kirk 1993 Evan Richards 2010 John Broadbent 1993 Tim Gershon 2010 James Helliwell 1996 Benja Hedley 2010 Lewis MacDonald 1999 Freddie New 2010 Jinesh Patel 2001 Sam Youdan 2010 Ben Ryan 2001 William Carson 2012 Lucy Evans 2007 Edmund Archer 2012 Esteira Hiwaizi* 2007 Katie Draper 2012 Helena Pomfret 2007 Henry Robinson 2012 Caitlin Rozario 2008 Jemima Maunder- 2013 Will Fenby Taylor 2014 Charlotte Harrop 2008 Gemma Phillips 2015 Jamie Roberts*† 2008 Alex Greer 2016 Ollie Phillips 2009 Fiona Gillanders* Oliver Dixon The President Professor Lord Eatwell
Fellows
Martin Dixon Professor of the Law of Real Property; Honorary Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn; Dean of College; Cambridge University & District Rugby Referees Society
Mr Rowan Kitt Development Director
Alumni of the Club are always welcome at College. If anyone wants to support the Club, please contact the Development Director [email protected] We need bursaries for postgraduate rugby-playing students, tour funds, coaching expenses, cups for best/most improved players, general expenses etc. Cups can be given in the name of a past XV or in memoriam. Alumni & Development Office Queens’ College Silver Street Cambridge CB3 9ET
01223 331944 [email protected]
Event organised by Fran Johnson. Programme content by Rowan Kitt. Programme compiled by Llinos Thomas-Parkins.