Anyone out for a walk just before 11 a.m. Saturday near Taylor Field may have assumed a fashion show was going to take place, as a couple dozen women were dressed in attire that would be fitting for a formal dance.
In reality, a rugby match was about to take place. The Idaho Black Widows rugby club’s annual alumni match took place in Moscow Saturday, and captain Emma Johnson said the event was special for the club.
“Today was about people getting together to play rugby after being away for years, and getting to meet new people that have played on the same team that you once did,” Johnson said.
Johnson said alumni from years ago showed up to play and some students played alongside their moms. Having a fun time and getting to “meet other ruggers” in the area was the goal of the event, Johnson said.
Dressed in gowns, the Black Widows came to play, and the two teams combined for nine tries.
Johnson said despite the funnier aspects of the event, it was still about playing rugby.
“It’s still about learning how to spread the field and play the game the right way, just as much as it is about having a good time and hitting people in dresses,” Johnson said.
Rugby players, young and old, threw each other to the ground and clashed on the field in a manner quite opposite of their attire.
Natalie Hansen said the event was about being a part of the club, regardless of the span of years a player participated.
“It was about celebrating being a U of I Black Widows rugby player, no matter when you played,” Hansen said.
The match started with a slim number of spectators, but as time went on more and more onlookers arrived and by the time it was over the Black Widows had an array of fans watching their match.
Hansen acknowledged that it was a little different playing rugby in a dress, but that when it came right down to it, it was still a competition.
“There’s a certain amount of ridiculousness in general, I mean I was wearing a corset today, so it’s harder to take it as serious, but it’s still rugby,” Hansen said.
As the match ended both teams came together in the middle of the field for pictures to commemorate the event, then ripped dresses off of each other.
Women’s rugby will be back in action Nov. 5 for a more serious match against Whitman College on Taylor Field.