The battle of the miners: Bottle Match 2023

Bottle Match 2023 | CSM RFC

Last Saturday, February 18th, marked the 121st Bottle Match between Camborne School of Mines (CSM), and Royal School of Mines (RSM) based in London as part of Imperial College. Having won the previous three bottle matches, it was CSM’s responsibility to bring the bottle out of its locker and up to London, where it would act as a trophy for whoever won the match. 

The stakes were high and to make sure they rose to the occasion CSM trained intensively, selecting a bottle training squad which condensed to a bottle 23 nearer to ‘crunch time’. The CSM rugby boys went to lectures and briefings and explored tactics and moves all in preparation for the big weekend. The final bonding moments included dining over a curry and sharing the humiliation of receiving heinous haircuts to raise £3,536.88 for the charity Sporting in Mind. RSM also courageously undertook the haircuts for charity within their own team. As well as benefitting charity, the bottle haircuts were a rite of passage to induct those who had never played a bottle match before. 

IT WAS A SPECIAL MOMENT FOR ALL CSM AS THEY WERE TAKING PART IN THE SECOND LONGEST-RUNNING VARSITY IN ENGLAND, WHICH WAS FIRST PLAYED IN 1902.

The final preparations got underway when the specially designed bottle match shirts were revealed to the bottle 23. With the training done, the kit sorted, the players named and congratulated, and luminous colour pigments added to the horrendous haircuts, it was soon time for the big game. The rugby boys boarded the coaches on the Friday along with all the other CSM sports teams: hockey, football, lacrosse, badminton, tennis, and more, and headed down to a Holiday Inn hotel in London. Game day was on Saturday, 3PM at Imperial College sports grounds. It was a special moment for all CSM as they were taking part in the second longest running varsity in England, which was first played in 1902.

Game Day. Sports matches were held throughout Saturday, starting at 8 AM with Lacrosse, followed by other sports until the last and arguably most important event, the rugby. With a slow start from CSM, RSM took the lead in the first ten minutes, 12 points to nil. But the desire of CSM was hardly quelled at this initial upset, and Tom Wakeling our courageous second-row, generated momentum for the Cornish by answering RSM’s challenge with a try, which was converted by fly half Joe McCarthy to make it 12-7 at half time.

CSM entered the second half with a bold statement lead by the driven Joe McCarthy who scored and then converted his own try, to make the score 12-14 to CSM. A bit more trouble from RSM made the score 17-14, and with the clock ticking and pressure mounting, CSM gained a chance to equalise when RSM conceded a penalty. The crowd collectively held their breath as McCarthy sized up the kick; the ball sailed through the air, clipping suspensefully against the left post before crossing over the line with the help of the benevolent St Piran. With the ball landing on the correct side of the posts, CSM gained the three points needed to make the score 17-17. RSM like a dog chewing at the bit, were determined to score again but thanks to some indefatigable defence from CSM the match ended in a draw.

THE BOTTLE TROPHY WILL RETURN TO CORNWALL, TO STAND PROUDLY FOR ANOTHER YEAR IN ITS GLASS CABINET

The hard work of the old Cornish boys in the previous years, to keep the bottle in Cornwall, meant that because RSM did not win the match, the bottle trophy will return to Cornwall, to stand proudly for another year in its glass cabinet. Overall, both RSM and CSM contributed to creating a brilliant varsity match and weekend which added colour and joy to the lives of spectators, players, coaches, students and more. Until next year, Laboris Gloria Lundi.

Bottle Match 2023 | CSM RFC