A rugby union social event has led to an investigation by UCLan’s Students’ Union following a complaint of racism.

An offended student – who wishes to remain anonymous – contacted the university after seeing the rugby players wearing dark face paint, designed to portray them as Jamaican.

The student confronted the group during their social event in a bar off campus to express disgust at the group’s attire, and was “flabbergasted” when told it had been “taken it the wrong way.”

The student said that it was “outrageous that this even had to be discussed in 2011,” drawing comparisons to the process of “blacking up, used in late 19th and early 20th century theatre as a form of social discrimination.”

The members of the rugby union team had dressed up to participate in a “treasure hunt” around the city centre. The event, organised by the team’s social secretary Brad Tuff, also involved players dressed as Scottish, Australian and French people.

The fourth group’s attire was an idea apparently formulated by a black member of the rugby union team, in reference to the Jamaican bobsled team who participated in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games.

Following the 1993 film “Cool Runnings,” based on the Jamaican bobsled team, they became part of popular culture and the attire was meant as an iconic reference to this with “no offence meant,” according to Brad Tuff.

He also stated the men’s rugby union team were “not a racist club” and said the team has a multicultural membership including players who are black, Fijian and Asian.

Following the student’s complaint, an investigation was launched by the Students’ Union activities and participation officer (APO) Ross Herridge to determine whether the rugby union team’s actions were deliberately offensive.

A meeting was called between both parties on in order for the student to convey why they were offended, and for the teams chairman, social secretary and captain to apologise formally on behalf of the team.

Following the discussion, the offended student said: “I am relieved the situation had been resolved. The team were very apologetic and realised the gravity of their action.”

The student also stated their belief that the social event and attire was “very on the edge” and said to the team that their attire could have also offended others, describing the whole situation as “wandering into troubled waters.”

The team’s social secretary Brad Tuff said: “As a team we were a bit naive, we made a mistake and were aware of this now.

“No offence was meant and we apologise to those who were offended and felt our actions were inappropriate.”

The Students’ Union APO Ross Herridge said: “The meeting went well. A misunderstanding between the student and the team has occurred; they have met up and solved the issue between them. The university will not be taking the issue any further as both parties are happy that the issue has been resolved.”

The men’s rugby union team at UCLan are famed for fancy dress during their social events, having previously dressed as Robin Hood and his merry men and many more comical outfits.

The university has in the past investigated similar complaints filed by offended students due to fancy dress, the most significant being a student dressed as missing child Madeline McCann last year, which resulted in serious disciplinary action against the student.

Women’s Rugby Union 1^st team secured a place in the BUCS cup quarter-finals after beating Liverpool Hope 15-7 in windy conditions at UCLan Sports Arena on Wednesday.

Blustery and bitterly cold conditions made for an uncomfortable afternoon of rugby but the hosts started the game well, pressuring the Liverpool 22 from the start with good attacking rugby.

UCLan took the lead after a good break from Katie Doney down the right side. Incisive passing from the home side resulted in Kate Stothert going over on the opposite flank to put the hosts 5-0 up inside of ten minutes.

The hosts continued to push and could have had another try moments later as Stacey Agnew won the ball in midfield and fed Doney, who was only denied a try by a cynical trip.

Toward the end of the first half, the visitors began to get a foothold in the game with a spell of possession in the UCLan half. Liverpool lacked any real cutting edge, however, the game soon turned scrappy with individual errors dominating the game.

The visitors started the second half brightly and scored straight from the restart, the Liverpool number ten running straight through a number of tackles to score under the posts. The conversion was easily added and Liverpool had a 7-5 lead.

UCLan hit back almost immediately with a quick break which caught the visitors napping. Vice-captain Catherine Morley scored the try to put the hosts back in the driving seat at 10-7.

Liverpool seemed unable to get back into the game as UCLan always looked dangerous on the counter attack with pace in abundance. One break saw Stothert break clear of the pack only to be hauled down inside the Liverpool 22.

The hosts sealed the game close to the end after an intense period of possession in the visitors 22 led to a breakdown in play. An excellent passing manoeuvre resulted in Stothert’s second try of the game as she touched down in the corner.

After the game, captain Jess Lane said, “This was our best game so far. Our aim is to just keep going, playing 100% and trying to win games.”

UCLan will play away at Manchester Metropolitan in the next round to be played in February.

By Andrew Bunting

A sublime hat-trick of tries from Alex Redfern helped Men’s Rugby Union 1^st team hold on to their 100% start to the season, as they eased past Liverpool 3^rds 66-15.

The home side started sluggish, with personal errors dominating the early stages and it was Liverpool who took the lead.

Their winger rampaged through the heart of the UCLan defence to open the scoring and the missed conversion attempt left the score 5-0 to the visitors.

The hosts replied immediately though when Daniel Scott blocked an attempted clearance and the ball was worked nicely down the line to Ben Mitchell, who scored in the corner to level the scores. Mitchell then stepped up to coolly convert and send UCLan into a 7-5 lead.

The home side could not hold the lead for long however as a build up in pressure inside the UCLan 22 led to the Liverpool centre intercepting a pass, allowing Liverpool to run through for a 10-7 lead.

UCLan looked dangerous on the attack throughout the game and it was the winger Alex Redfern who took advantage of sloppy defending to run through and swing the advantage in the hosts favour.

From then on UCLan, and Redfern in particular, took over control as the winger eased over the line for his second try.

Redfern then grabbed a third as great attacking play down the field from the hosts led to a superb finish in the corner as UCLan went in at half time leading 24-10.

The second half provided more of the same for the hosts. Adam Cooper battled his way over to score a try within minutes of the restart before Ben Mitchell finished emphatically for his second of the game which now looked beyond Liverpool’s reach at 36-10.

Midway through the second half, Paddy James finally got the try that his midfield effort deserved. After a short break from the pack he was able to stretch over to extend the lead to 43-10 while Phil Beard scored the best try of the game as he stretched his legs down the right hand side for a length of the field try.

Alex Zavallis-Roebuck then added two tries late on as UCLan rounded out worthy winners, 66-15.

After the game, captain for the day Brad Tuff said: “We showed what a good side we are today, winning well despite the performance. It’s a tough league but we have a team that could push to win it.”

By Andew Bunting

A victory in the BUCS Cup final for the Men’s 1st team was the highlight in a season of mixed fortunes for UCLan Rugby Union.

UCLan’s storming cup run began in October with a 76-0 mauling of Liverpool 3rds in which captain Scott Udal praised his sides defence. The team then continued to play fantastic rugby in the cup as they recorded victories over Liverpool 2nds, Liverpool John Moores and MMU Cheshire.

These victories set up a home semi-final against Manchester Metropolitan where the hosts exhibited good rugby to secure a 27-3 win. Coach Alan Holmes said after the game that “It was the first time that the team realised their potential.” This potential was then further displayed in the final as UCLan completed an extremely successful cup run with a tight 8-5 win against Hull.

Unfortunately UCLan were unable to convert their cup form into the league winning only six of their fourteen league games and eventually finishing fifth. The season got off to a bad start with defeat to Manchester Metropolitan 1sts before they recorded important victories against Liverpool John Moores 1sts, The University of Manchester 3rds and The University of Liverpool 3rds.

The team put together a number of good team performances with Alex Zavallis-Roebuck, Shaun Taylor and Tom Hughes playing particularly well. Although Inconsistency plagued the side’s league season, the team will take their cup victory as a positive and aim to build on that next season.

The Women’s first team also had a season of mixed fortunes, with an early exit in the BUCs cup amended by a solid 3rd position finish in the league. A 29-0 loss to Liverpool John Moores just after Christmas in the first round of the cup was a lowlight of the season, with the match played in freezing conditions. Chairperson Megan Furey said “It was a blow after getting to the quarter-finals last year.”

Furey went on to say that finishing third in the league was a highlight. “The last game of the season against Keele which we won 41-5 was a privilege to play as it was one of our best performances as a team” said Furey.

“The team valued each player just as much as the other” but particular credit was paid to first years Katie Doney and Kate Stothert who have “performed fantastically all season and were always in competition for top try scorer.” The teams ambition next year is to win promotion which Furey says “is in sight and this will be a primary goal.”

Unfortunately the Men’s 2nd and 3rd teams were not as successful as they both finished bottom of their respective divisions.

By Andrew Bunting

UCLan 32-14 Lancaster

A Tom Hughes inspired UCLan Rugby Union Men’s 1sts toppled first place Lancaster 1sts by 32-14 at UCLan Sports Arena.

Hughes ran in three tries to complete a “fantastic” hat-trick and a rousing comeback after trailing at the break.

UCLan took just 15 minutes to break the deadlock after an even start.

Good work from full back Sean Taylor saw him break through the away side’s defence, skipping past multiple challenges.

Taylor then laid the ball off to Hughes, who just managed to escape the clutches of the defence to power over, although the conversion was missed.

It all began to go wrong for the home side on 25 minutes as an injury and a missed penalty seemed to rock them, allowing Lancaster a way back in to the game.

They took just three minutes to capitalise as the number eight thundered through UCLan’s left flank with ease, giving Lancaster a two point advantage after the conversion.

The deficit became nine shortly before half-time when poor passing from UCLan let Lancaster break away and score from well within their own half.

The fight back began with a penalty just a minute into the second half and UCLan didn’t look back as they scored 27 unanswered points in the second period.

Two converted tries for Hughes after good pressure put UCLan well in the ascendancy as did two penalties.

The win was clinched three minutes from time by the try of the game as Taylor ran virtually the length of the field to score and give UCLan a surprise victory.

By Liam Geraghty

UCLan 27-3 Manchester Met

A dominant first half display helped UCLan Men’s Rugby Union firsts into the final of the BUCS Cup with a 27-3 win over Manchester Metropolitan.

The deadlock was broken early on with the hosts’ backs showing good hands and Shaun Taylor finding the opening to go over, Alex Zavallis-Roebuck adding the conversion.

The game soon became heated with both sides showing their desire to win, the visitors however struggled to gain ground and fell further behind to a Zavallis-Roebuck penalty.

The UCLan Fly-Half then added another with a cheeky try; taking advantage of a penalty by sprinting 40 yards to touch down. The conversion was added to make the score 17-0 at half time.

The second half was dominated by the boot with Manchester first kicking over and then the sublime Zavallis-Roebuck with a long penalty.

In the final few moments UCLan put the game out of sight with another try under the posts. Roebuck again converting as it ended 27-3.

After the game Coach Alan Holmes said: “This is the first time we have realised our potential, we now have to bring our cup form to our league games.”

By Andrew Bunting

UCLan 27-5 Salford

A sublime hat-trick of tries by winger Kate Stothert helped the UCLan Women’s Rugby Union 1sts to a 27-5 victory over Salford 1sts at PSA.

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UCLan 19-11 MMU Cheshire

In a Closely fought match UCLan drove their way to victory, stealing the show by defeating MMU Cheshire 19-11.

MMU started on the front foot and gave early pressure, pushing the home side to their 20 yard line. A continuous barrage of attacks from the MMU forwards, trying to gain an advantage on the UCLan defence. Textbook tackling kept MMU at bay for the first 20 minutes of play.

The visitors nicked an early lead, with a neatly converted penalty. But UCLan quickly fought back with three points of their own.

25 minutes into play Brad Tuff rallied the troops as their defensive onslaught was beginning to tire MMU. Three minutes later Jack Walker smashed through the MMU backline to give the home side great field position. As Half time came it was three a piece with all to play for.

Early in the second half Alex Zavallis-Roebuck scored an amazing try, adding hard progressive running, giving a phenomenal dimension to UCLan’s backline.  Both teams showing bravery and courage, with awesome handling skills all over the pitch.

67 minutes in it was 11-11. The home side needing to score as no extra time would be played and the visitors would be victorious.  UCLan mounted pressure and recycled the ball well. Scrum half Jason Warde spun off from a ruck and scored a sweet debut try right in-between the posts.

With ten minutes left to play MMU would dealt a blow as their number ten trudged off injured , further raising UCLan’s hopes of victory. Finishing the match in prominent fashion the hosts took a deserved semi final spot 19-11.

After the match the home side captain Scott Udal stated:

“We had a poor fifteen minutes start, but after that they could not handle are offloading.”

“We are all well up for the semi final!”

By Will Vickers

UCLan Women’s 1sts 44-7 Cumbria 1sts

Katie Doney ran in a hat-trick of tries as UCLan complete a rout against Cumbria on a bitterly cold afternoon at the Preston Sports Arena.

Doney scored two tries in the first 14 minutes to put UCLan firmly in control of the game. Her combination of speed, agility and vision cut open the Cumbrian defensive line to put the home side 10-0 up.

Three more tries followed before half-time giving UCLan a commanding 25-0 lead, including a well worked try from fly-half Catherine Morley. Morley ran the game from start to finish with numerous bruising tackles and intelligent playmaking, however, she struggled to convert many of the UCLan tries.

Cumbria’s half-time team talk worked a treat and the away side hit back with a breakaway try after just one minute of the restart.

However, UCLan struck immediately after with Natalie Nash crashing over the line to take the score to 30-7.

A couple of minor injuries resulted in uncontested scrums for the remainder of the game, but  before this, the UCLan pack had dominated against a powerful set of Cumbrian forwards.

Doney’s third and final try quickly followed to open the gap to thirty points, but credit goes to the away side who dug in deep and did their best to push for more points and keep the score respectable.

The game could have been closer, but Cumbria lacked the killer instinct in the final third allowing UCLan, on numerous occasions, to clear their lines effectively.

The final try came with 8 minutes to go, leaving the final score at 44-7 and a job well done by the UCLan ladies.

The Cumbrian women decided to give the ‘Hokey Cokey’ an appearance after the game as a warm down and morale boost but it was the home side that left with a spring in their step after this convincing win.

By Ryan Wood

UCLan ran 12 tries in all, as they dominated the contest, showing the gulf in class against a Liverpool side from the division below.

A sign of what was to come came straight from the kick off, when the Liverpool player receiving the ball was smashed into touch by Brad Tuff.

The first try came just three minutes in, a good cross field move allowing Andy Deacon to touch down in the corner, although the conversion was missed by Alex Zavalis-Roebeuck

However he made amends when his high kick found Ross Meller-Clark who ran through to score under the posts, and Shaun Murphy doid the same after bursting through the visitors defence, with the two conversions making the score 19-0 after just 11 minutes.

Deacon got his second try of the afternoon, with an excellent conversion from Zavalis-Roebeuck from right on the touchline in the 19^th minute, all before Liverpool had even ventured into the UCLan 22, the home defence comfortably dealing with the rare attack.

However the visitors defence was proving anything but secure and further tries from Brad Tuff, Jason Ward and Patrick James took the half time score to 47-0.

UCLan were dominating the forward battle, demonstrated when a line out resulted in a rolling maul, which was pushed forward 15 yards, bringing yet another try. This was the first of three in a seven minute spell including another scything run through the Liverpool defence before Mark Pollson went over.

With a place in the next round long secured, there was still time for UCLan to score two more tries in last five minutes to rap up an excellent performance.

Captain Scott Udal admitted he was surprised by the extent of the win. “I wasn’t expecting to win by that amount, we played great as a team today, working together,” he said.

“Our defence was amazing, that was probably the best part of our game.”

By Ciaran Thomas