Oxford Buffaloes

𝐒𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐃 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 🦬🏉

Your Buffaloes are set for the trip to the Island as we face this Saturday (2:00pm KO). 💥

Strong XV named with impact ready from the bench, all eyes on a big performance away from home.

Get behind the lads! 💪🔥

𝐎𝐱𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝. 🦬 🏉

After last playing in July 2024, the Buffaloes are back in action as we travel to the island to face Isle of Wight RFC in a 15s charity fixture.

vs Oxford Buffaloes

📅 Saturday 4th April
📍Isle of Wight RFC (PO33 4NB)
⏰ Kick-off 2:00pm

The match brings players back together and raises funds for two outstanding charities, The Lily Foundation and Parkinson’s UK, whose work continues to support families and communities across the U.K.

If you’re on the Island, come down to Isle of Wight RFC and be part of the occasion.

Ah, Summer Social — one of those glorious days I miss most while marooned out here in the desert. The thought of Jubel in hand, Pimm’s flowing, and catching up with friends in the sun until the early hours… almost too much to bear. Living vicariously through stories, it’s clear our fifth year delivered another cracking spectacle.

Straight off last weekend’s chaos at Bournemouth 7s, our ladies were back at Richmond Athletic Ground. Trainers dusted off, hangover (just about) manager, and spirits high.

And what a start it was. Remi - apparently now our unofficial coach - rocked up looking glamorous in netball dress that might’ve turned more heads than any goal we scored. With a few injuries, absentees, and some lingering Bournemouth stories, the team welcomed debutants Georgia Owen, Nancy Marr, Katie King, and Charlotte Kennaway. And, to everyone’s delight the one and only Jen Boltman was back in action! Big shoutout to captain Nancy Green, absent from play but cheering on in full kit from the sidelines.

As at Bournemouth, we fielded two squads. Team 1 led by Hannah Middleton & Team 2, by newcomer Ella Smalls.

Team 1 opened with a 5-5 draw vs UCLEEDS; Team 2 had a tough start losing 19-3 to Wolves. Round two saw Team 1 rally from 5-2 down to beat Just the Tip 11-7, while Team 2 lost 21-7 to Spencer 1. By game three, both found their rhythm: Team 1 won 7-3 vs Island Netball, and Team 2 bounced back 11-7 against Karisma.

Both teams fought hard to reach the semis — Team 1 narrowly lost 5-2 to Lloyds, and Team 2 fell 7-5 to Berko Hares in a fantastic match.

But let’s be honest the final whistle signalled something even more important: pimms o clock. By 5pm, the girls were sipping, the sun was setting, and our boys were loitering-fresh from another weekend of ‘rest’ during their sabbatical year, flaunting new trims, new attires and that unmistakable waft of Lynx Africa & or Dior Sauvage.

The girls did us proud — once again. A few bruises, loads of laughs, and enough Aloe Vera, cranberry juice, and Compeed to stock a small pharmacy. But weekends like these? Priceless.

Until next time…

Fresh off their triumphant win at Bournemouth 7s just last weekend, the girls hit the courts at Richmond 7s. With a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, the squad is splitting into two strong lineups. We are ready to bring the same winning mindset to the next stage, determined to leave a mark at Richmond, showing that Bournemouth was just the beginning😏🫶🏼🩷🥰

Whilst the lads spent another weekend during their sabbatical season – gout-ridden, beer-bellied, hairlines clinging on (some in the departure lounge) and wistfully longing for the gaffer’s return from the desert – the girls were, well… very busy indeed.

On a gloriously grim and wet bank holiday, the ladies kicked off their netball season in style at Bournemouth 7s. Two teams made the pilgrimage: the seasoned “Old Girls” and the fierce “Young Guns”. And what a reunion it was.

Captained by the legendary Nancy Green, the Oldies stormed through their Margarita Cup group, going unbeaten with 8 wins and racking up a cool 40 points. Not to be outdone, the Young Guns – led by the unstoppable Nancy Read – matched the energy, winning all 7 of their games to top their group with 35 points.

Into the semi-finals they marched: the Oldies edged past the Wendover Sparrowhawks 12–8, while the Young Guns battled hard to defeat Pelican 11–9. This set up the ultimate showdown – a full club final in the Margarita Cup.

But after a full day of slogging it out on court, a few sore heads, and Nancy Green popping her knee mid-game, the teams made the noble decision: share the trophies, crack open the Jubels, and call it a draw. A well-earned celebration if ever there was one.

What a weekend.

From netball greatness to off-court carnage – the girls delivered. Special mention to Geth, the naughty Welsh neighbour, foam parties that escalated quickly, elite booze smuggling techniques, and tents so soggy they could’ve entered a regatta… and, of course, no mention at all of mysterious egg allergies that nearly derailed the whole operation.

Throats are sore, legs are shot, and Monday hit like a freight train – but spirits are high, glitter’s still hanging on, and the countdown to Summer Social is well and truly on.

BUFFALOES BACK IN ACTION😜
The girls take on Bournemouth 7s with two teams that will no doubt smash it✨ we are excited to welcome a few newbies as well as welcoming back our old girls🩷 stay tuned for a weekend where the only thing tighter than our defence are the budgie smugglers🫶🏼 expect chaos xoxo

𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 🐣

Happy Easter to our club members, friends, family and our sponsors.

   

📕 | 𝑮𝑨𝑭𝑭𝑨’𝑺 𝑵𝑶𝑻𝑬𝑩𝑶𝑶𝑲
Dear followers, fans, and esteemed members,

Apologies for the delay in updating you! I’ve been enjoying some well-deserved downtime after an exhilarating summer with the Buffaloes.

Nearly a month ago, we tackled the LIT 7s tournament. Fresh from our Isle of Wight tour, we faced the challenge of fielding a revamped team. As your Gaffer, I recruited 11 new players.

On the morning of the tournament, Bertie Reed and I, with my espresso and nervy Marlboro, discussed tactics with understandable apprehension given LIT’s fierce competition and our new squad.

How wrong we were to doubt! We kicked off spectacularly against Legion 7s, winning 29-7 with tries from James Lewis, Dan Kingsley, and co-captains Harry Nelson and Jonah Varela. The momentum continued as we defeated Black Panthers 7s 41-5, with tries from Bertie Reed, James Lewis, Dan Kingsley, Rory Adams, Jonah Varela, and Harry Breeze. Our final pool match against Find Rugby Now ended in a 19-7 victory, with Jonah Varela and George Doel scoring.

In the quarter-finals, we overcame Saint 7s 38-5 with tries from Lucas Scully, Harry Nelson, Jonah Varela, and Jnr Coka. We faced LU Sevens Rugby in the semi-final and won 31-7, thanks to tries from James Lewis, Harry Nelson, Jonah Varela, and Harry Breeze.

The final was a nail-biter against Surrey Exiles. Despite tries from James Lewis and Jnr Coka, we fell short, losing 29-19.

This runners-up finish reflects the extraordinary effort of our team. A huge thanks to our technical team—Ben Simpson, Gavin Quinlan, and Nels Sr.

What a fantastic end to the summer! Stay tuned for our end-of-summer social event details.

Warmest regards,
The Gaffer

Team’s up🫡

12 new faces this week 🐂🦬