First played for in 1997, the Shaw Cup is based on a challenge system, rather than a league or knockout competition as with most trophies. The holding team must defend the cup in challenge matches, and if a challenger defeats them, they become the new holder.

The Cup is currently held by Old Xavier, who where awarded it as the then holders Dunneworthy were unable to defend it. They have sucessfully defended the Cup on 10 consecutive occasions, including some memorable games, most notably against Melbourne University on test match day in Melbourne.

The Xavier and MURFC teams

In the curtain raiser MURFC played Old Xavier for the 10th Shaw Cup. In a close game former MURFC players proved the difference as Wilson Tighe and Peter Shaw both scored two tries. Final score 25-12.

The team

Wallabies day rolled around again and yet again it was time for the annual fixture between Old Xavier and Melbourne University. Old Xavier had enterred a strong team, but Melbourne Uni had abandoned the gents concept and fielded a full team of grade players. The first half was tight with the teams trading tries. But in the second half the Old Xavier backline started to hum and it turned into a route.

A timeline of the match highlights follows:

1. Great interplay between forwards and backs leads to Old Xaviers first try:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_01.mpg

2. Melbourne Unis Number 8 brushes of poor tackling to score:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_02.mpg

3. A Marty Tighe chip is charged down for Melbourne Unis second try:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_03.mpg

4. Halfback Wilson Tighe powers through some ineffectual defence:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_04.mpg

5. Wilson scores another sniping down the blindside:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_05.mpg

6. Pete Shaw spaks the turnover and Marty Tighe finishes in grand style:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_06.mpg

7. The Old Xavier number 8 powers over after some fine forward lead up work:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_07.mpg

8. Rob Shaw finishes of a great Old Xavier team try:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_08.mpg

9. Rob Shaw finishes of some back line brilliance:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_09.mpg

10. More back line brilliance and a great offload lead to Old Xaviers 8th try:

    http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_10.mpg

11. Straight from the kick-off Old Xavier go legth of the field to score an awesome team try:

    http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_11.mpg

12. Mark Bowker intercepts a quick line out and shows a clean pair of heels to the defence:

    http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_12.mpg

13. A quick tap and Old xavier are away as aubrey Inston caps a great day for the boys in black:

    http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_7/shawcup_7_try_13.mpg

A gallery of photos from the day is available here:http://shawfactor.com/2006/06/15/shaw-cup-7-gallery/

Under the watchful whistle of Jim Lawrenson Old Xavier started strongly but were rebuffed at every turn by strong MURFC defence. Slowly the tide started the turn and when a misplaced pass from the Old Xavier half back went to ground in the in goal MURFC pounced and where out to a surprise lead.

Old Xavier true to style kept trying to run the ball from anywhere. This lead to MURFC second try when Marty Tighe tried a cut pass in front of his own posts and was intercepted for the simplest of scores. This was exacerbated by the fact that almost from the kickoff MURFC went the length of the field to score another. THings were looking grim for Old Xavier

However just before half time Marty Tighe looped around the defence and then grubbered and soccered his way to score a great individual try to provide some hope for the boys in black.

The second half started like the first with Old Xavier hard on attack but not breaking through. Finally when it looked like MURFC were breaking out and may score they were called back for a penalty which Rory Quinn took quickly and scored under the posts. Five minutes later Rob Shaw backed up some fine breakoutfrom is cousin and Marty and scored the simplest of tries. The conversion from Dan Cusack put Old xavier into the lead

MURFC then attacked strongly to regain there lead. However the ref then blew the whistle for full time gutting the MURFC team who looked likely to score. The referee, however, realised he had ended the match 10 minutes early and so both teams we agreed to play the extra time. However this did not help Melbourne Uni as the lactic acid took its toll and another three tries were scored by Old Xavier.

1. A mix up from the half back leads to Uni’s first try:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_6/shawcup_6_try1.mpg

2. Marty does a Carlos Spencer, and the centre scores under the posts:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_6/shawcup_6_try2.mpg

3. Uni winger shows plenty of pace to burst through and score:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_6/shawcup_6_try3.mpg

4. Marty Tighe redeems himself with a Tighe special:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_6/shawcup_6_try4.mpg

5. Rory “Razor” Quinn scores after some quick thinking:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_6/shawcup_6_try5.mpg

6. Rob Shaw scores after some speculative passing and a chip:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_6/shawcup_6_try6.mpg

7. Rob Shaw scores after a beautiful chip into the corner:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_6/shawcup_6_try7.mpg

• Unfortunately the last two tries were not caught on video, which is a bugger as I scored one!

• However I have made a video montage to music of tries from the last two years. It is a bit blocky at times (I had to get over 3 minutes of video into a less than 10 MB file, but it makes for good entertainment (especially for those with sound). Here is the link: 

  http://localhero.biz/media/videos/misc/title_sequence.wmv

• Here is a full gallery of various photos taken on the day:

  http://shawfactor.com/2005/06/15/shaw-cup-6-gallery/

The older Melbourne University dominated possession, with a much heavier and more experienced pack. But could not dominate the scoreline as the disorganised but scrambling defence of Old Xavier frustrated them at every turn.

The match started at a frenetic pace with both teams passing the ball around more like a game of touch than a rugby match. But after the early arm-wrestle it was the strong old Xavier forward to powered over as Nick “Bacon” Aitken dived straight over the top of a maul to score in an unorthodox fashion. However the team from the college crescent quickly hit back. Old xavier gave a away a penalty on its own line, from which Andy Meagher took a quick tap and threw the ball wide where Richard Lowe broke through weak tackling to score.

The play then see-sawed for a short period with both teams spinning it wide and having thier chances. However when the College XV spun it wide the the forwards were to slow across and the ball was pilfered. The Old Xavier half back was on hand to spin it to Marty Tighe who chipped a flat footed defence to score his second in the corner. From then the Old Xavier forwards took control barnstorming throught the centre setting up the attack for the free running backs as Old Xavier piled on two more tries.

The College XV did however have plenty of posession and attacked for long period but lacked the finishing. However they were rwarded towards the end of the game as the Old Xavier defence (so good for long periods) missed a atckle and Dou Ellinger scored a simple try that a fair reward for the College team.

The match was on the whole played in very good spirits. However Steve Brydon playing as a guest for the college team gave plenty of lip. This however backfired on him as after abusing Peter Shaw as being pathetic and a disgraced had to watch in anger as the “p***weak” player capped of a great day bu scoring next to the posts.

All in all the day was a celebration of rugby played by both team as it should be in an attacking, sporting, and positive manner.

1. Nick “Bacon” Aitken goes straight over the top of the maul to score:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_4/shawcup_4_try1.mpg

2. The Crescent XV spin the ball wide and Richard Lowe takes advantage of some poor tackling.

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_4/shawcup_4_try2.mpg

3. The ball is turned over and spun wide as Marty Tighe scores of a chip.

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_4/shawcup_4_try3.mpg

4. Marty Tighe scores agin after some barnstorming runs from the forwards

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_4/shawcup_4_try4.mpg

5. Mark Bowker steps his way throught the College defence of a quick turnover:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_6/shawcup_6_try5.mpg

6. The Xavier winger scores as he wrong foots the defence:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_4/shawcup_4_try6.mpg

7. Doug Ellinger breaks through pathetic tackling to score:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_4/shawcup_4_try7.mpg

8. Steve Brydon gives Pete Shaw a serve who promptly answers by scoring beside the posts:

   http://localhero.biz/media/videos/shawcup_4/shawcup_4_try8.mpg

• Here is a full gallery of various photos taken on the day:

  http://shawfactor.com/2003/10/15/shaw-cup-4-gallery/