Big wins for Leicester on Varsity Night

Leicester preserved their unbeaten record in the women's match with a 53-0 victory, while their men also came out on top with a 34-0 win in front of a big and vocal Varsity Night crowd.

Playing at No 8 was Sports President and ULWRFC 1st XV Captain Ofure Ugiagbe. She claimed four of the nine tries in the women's fixture, adding four conversions for good measure as Leicester stretched their record of wins to 13 since the opening fixture in 2004.

Ofure has been telling Nathan Ifill how it feels to add to the undefeated record.

The other scores came from lock Alex Christiano (2), centre Anna Stephenson, wing Saleemah Omodayo and full-back Cate Ashley, though the result did not do full justice to De Montfort's spirited defence throughout the 80 minutes.

The women's outstanding victory was Leicester's greatest ever winning margin in Varsity history.

The men's game has provided better luck for De Montfort with four wins and a draw since the city rivals first went head to head in 2002. But they were unable to turn the tables this time.

A 10-minute downpour preceded kick-off in the men's game, but Leicester - with Tigers' Argentina international wing Gonzalo Camacho among their coaching team - wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard, as a try from wing Edd Godfrey provided a breakthrough just three minutes into the game.

Fly-half Mike Edworthy added a penalty and then converted a try from hooker Giles Saar as DMU found themselves a man short in defence after a yellow card.

Second-rower Ollie Tapscott provided a crucial third score just before half-time, reacting to a chargedown from scrum-half Chris Brace to run in from close range. Edworthy added another two points as the lead reached 22 points at half-time.

Leicester left wing Brandon Johnson provided a strong solo finish in the corner for the fourth try early in the second half. Flanker and ULRFC 1st XV Captain Josh Finch, part of a back-row unit which set the tempo for the game, grabbed the final score from a close-range scrum on the hour mark, with Edworthy adding the conversion.

Josh has been telling Nathan Ifill about the preparations leading up to the victory.

Matt Weir, Acting Director of Sports and Recreation, said: "It was an excellent night with the women winning 53-0 and the men winning 34-0. The women have extended their unbeaten record at Welford Rd to 13 years and the men are now undefeated in 4.

"I don’t think we have ever won without DMU scoring a point against either side! Ofure Ugiagbe was playing at number 8 for the women and scored 5 tries and also converted 4 giving her a personal haul of 33 points, she is also this year's Sports President and has done an excellent job.

"I would like to give a mention to the coaching team too as they have been excellent."