Saints Denied Varsity Glory

Heartbreak at the Hive as Saints defeated at the death

At 2pm on 20 September at the Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, the St Andrews fans’ rendition of ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ dies down, and the noise drops — for a split second — to a simmer. 

The Varsity is the oldest Scottish university rivalry — St Andrews and Edinburgh playing it out for the bragging rights.

Even before the whistle, the University of Edinburgh students were already in good voice. Chants such as “We’ve got an airport” and “You’re just a golf course” were directed towards the St Andrews faithful, the irony being that the ‘just a golf course’ lot were defending champions.

After a slow start, the Saints trailed 11-3 at the half-hour mark, struggling to find rhythm. Then came a flash of hope: Jamie Thomson bursting through with a surging run, slipping an early offload to Thomas Russell, who swung it wide to number 14, Matt Grant, finishing with aplomb. 

The Saints’ end erupted, certain the try would stand. The referee let the play roll long enough to fuel the celebrations before dragging it back for a forward pass.  

Grant had been the target of Edinburgh’s favourite chant — “14’s a w*****” — and for a moment it seemed like he’d silenced them. Once the call came, the jeers returned even louder.

Just before the half-time break, fresher fly-half Howie Offord calmly slotted a penalty, trimming the deficit. The Saints went into the break 11-6 down and with plenty to dissect in the changing room. 

After a short interlude, the students returned to the stand, armed with two pints of over-priced Tennents, and play resumed.

Whatever was said in the Saints’ changing room clearly landed. Six minutes into the second half, they were camped on the Edinburgh try line, Michael Onohayedo finally smashing through. With Howie Offord as composed as ever from the tee, the Saints were suddenly in the driving seat, 13–11 ahead. 

Momentum gathered. Even a yellow card for number 12, Townsend, couldn’t deflate the side — he returned with intent, finishing wide minutes later. Offord, clinical again: 20–11 Saints.

By now, the green-end choruses about airports and golf courses were drowned out by chants of “Let’s go Saints.” 

But Edinburgh didn’t roll over.

Hooker Freddie Deeks burrowed over at 58 minutes, and when Offord’s former schoolmate Jamie Cain finally nailed a conversion, the score narrowed to 20–18. 

It turned in a heartbeat: skipper James Murray made a brilliant intercept which fell to a green shirt. A later penalty then nudged Edinburgh 21-20 ahead.

The Saints still with momentum, ice-cold Offord answered with yet another successful penalty kick — 23-21 Saints with eight minutes to play. 

Then the gut punch. 

In the 78th minute, after being held on the line, Edinburgh finally found a way. Try — 26-23 Edinburgh. 

Edinburgh number 10 Jamie Cain stepped up to put the game to bed. The kick drifts wide. Hope prevails for the Saints.

26-23 in the 79th minute and a Jonny-Wilkinson-esque miracle still glimmers — until the 80th, when a green scrum clicks and the ball is belted into the stands. 

With the Edinburgh team running over into a celebratory huddle, and Saints’ skipper, Murray, emotionally embracing his teammates, the game was gone. 

The Saints’ dreams crushed, Edinburgh ecstatic.    

The team took a moment to gather their thoughts, then came over to the spectators in the stands. Alumni, parents, and friends made sure the Saints knew they had done them proud.

After the game, skipper James Murray admitted that the defeat stung, but his eyes were already on the future, he told The Saint. 

“We only had one opportunity to win Varsity this year, so it will sting for a long time. All credit to Edinburgh. Maybe one of the most riveting Varsity games yet. Thank you to everyone involved and to the 6,000 supporters!”  

“I was gutted — we felt the weight of the University on our shoulders. It takes more than fifteen players to win, and we received that support. When I saw the distraught look in my teammates’ eyes, I realised this was a moment to show what Saints Rugby is all about: connection, discipline, and a legacy. I couldn’t be prouder.” 

“We’ve already watched the game back three times. There are clear work-ons. Our story is still being written — and if you’re reading this, it’s your story too.” 

The Varsity sting is real, but so is the sense that the Saints are using this to level up and are only getting stronger. 

Varsity isn’t the end; it’s the launch. The clinical fresher in number 10, Howie Offord, played the full eighty, flawless from the first whistle. Around him: game-smart Scottish internationals, the presence of recruited postgrads, and many of the team from last year who know what it takes to be on the winning side.

As the echoes of last season’s success linger, the Saints will use this loss as fuel for their National Trophy push and BUCS Premier North 2 campaign. 

With fresher talent, new recruits, and a skipper who dares his team to dream, the Saints have all the tools. 

With that in mind, I have a funny feeling that come season’s end, St Andrews will be considered much more than just a golf course. 

Photo by Stephan Law