On Saturday 6 January 2024 Trinity College Dublin, founded in 1592, played against Durham University,founded 1832, in a friendly in NE England.

This annual event is played home and away by Britain and Ireland’s “ancient universities” also including the universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

Trinity or DUFC ordinarily play in the All Irish league (AIL) including the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Durham play in the British universities (B.U.C.S) league.

Victor Allen (2018F), on tour with Trinity, found himself playing against James Bolton (2020S) .

Victor played at inside centre (12) against tight head (3) James for Durham. Victor is presently studying for an M.Sc in International Management after an honours in finance (EAFM) at UCT where he played for the Ikey Tigers in 2022. Previously and since school he played for Stellenbosch University where he did his undergrad and played for Maties.

James Bolton has been studying for his bachelors at Durham University is in his final year of a BA in Business and Management. Sadly, not playing due to injury, was OD Mikey Ford (2020F). He would have played at 12 directly opposite Victor in the match. Mikey is also studying for his BA in Economics.

Mikey and James were selected for the Bishops 1st XV in 2020. Mikey also played in 2019 and captained Bishops in the Covid ruined 2020 year. Victor played for the Platinum Blues in 2018.

Trinity College Dublin won the encounter 26-17 with many a Bishops memory shared after the match.