Dundee University Medics RFC

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Dundee University Medics
Full nameDundee University Medics Rugby Football Club
Founded2001
LocationDundee, Scotland
Ground(s)Forthill, Broughty Ferry
League(s)Caledonia Midlands Two
2019–20Caledonia Midlands Two, 4th of 9
Team kit

Dundee University Medics RFC is a rugby union club based in Dundee, Scotland. The Men's team currently plays in Caledonia Midlands Two.

History[]

The club was founded in 2001.[1]

The club was in student developmental leagues before it joined the regional league structure of the Scottish Rugby Union in 2013.[2]

It is not affiliated to Dundee University but does share resources and some players with Dundee University RFC.[2]

Former President Mark Smith explained the club's history to The Offside Line online rugby magazine in 2019:[3]

We joined the Midland Leagues in 2013. Before that we played in a student development league but we were only getting seven or eight games a year and we decided that if we wanted to take it forward then we are going to need 15 or 16 games a year, so that was the thinking behind it. Initially it was all medics but now a lot of guys who were playing University 2nd XV, or were on the fringes of the 1st XV, have decided they want to come and play with us, I think because they prefer Saturday to Wednesday rugby. I would say we are about 70 percent medics, but the team at the weekend will have two dentists, a nurse and probably four or five non-medics, including our captain and vice-captain. When I first got involved during my pre-med year in 2013, we'd be getting 16 or 17 guys out for our league games in Caley League Four, but it has just grown and grown, to the point where we have nearly 50 players and we should really be thinking about putting a 2nd XV out. We’re not affiliated at all with the university sports union, although we do have a great relationship with the rugby team. If they're short, we'll help them out, and vice-versa. But we’ve played at Panmure since 2014 because they had a spare pitch and the university pitches were quite expensive, and we generally do our own thing.

The club is now careful to say that it is an open club and welcome all levels of players. The following disclaimer is found on its social media:[4]

DUMS RUGBY HAS NEVER BEEN EXCLUSIVE TO MEDICS AND WE HAVE LOADS OF NON-MEDICS IN THE TEAM AND ON COMMITTEE.

In 2019, around 70% of its side were still medical students but this percentage has fallen year on year.[2]

Dundee University Medics have a fine record in playing in the SRU Midlands Bowl. They have been finalists in 4 successive seasons.

They reached the final in 2016–17, losing to Blairgowrie RFC.[2]

They reached the final again in 2017–18, to lose out to Panmure RFC. The final that year was called the Snow Bowl, as both teams had to clear Forthill of snow, in the weekend of the 'Beast from the East'.[5]

They beat Panmure the following year. The Midlands Bowl is a quarter final place for the National Bowl, so they then beat Glasgow University Medics in the semi-final of the National Bowl by 17-12. They played Aberdeenshire RFC again the following season 2018–19 in the National Bowl final but once again lost out.[3][6]

The team reached the Midlands Bowl Final of 2019-20 but were beaten by Kinross RFC.[7]

Honours[]

  • Caledonia Midlands 3
    • Champions (1): 2017-18
  • Midlands Regional Bowl
    • Champions (1): 2018-19

References[]

  1. ^ Dundee, University of. "Dundee Students Set To Scrum In National Rugby Final : News". University of Dundee.
  2. ^ a b c d "Dundee's youngest rugby club heading to Murrayfield for Bowl final".
  3. ^ a b Barnes, David (April 25, 2019). "Roving Reporter: Dundee Medics ready for Bowl Final at Murrayfield". The Offside Line.
  4. ^ "Log into Facebook". Facebook. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  5. ^ "Panmure 24 Dundee Uni Medics 18: A heroic day by all in the Forthill snow".
  6. ^ "NATIONAL MEN'S BOWL MATCH REPORT: Dundee University Medics 31-34 Aberdeenshire". Scottish Rugby Union.
  7. ^ "Log into Facebook". Facebook. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
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