On a cold Tuesday afternoon, Magdalen took on Lady Margaret Hall in the second round of this year’s College Rugby Cuppers competition. Going into the game Magdalen, who this season narrowly avoided relegation from the college premier division, were narrow favourites against a revitalised LMH team who at the end of the season won promotion to the rugby second division. In the end the pundits were proved right and the strong Magdalen outfit came out on top. The passionate LMH team failing to progress any further in the competition, going down 26-5.

The early exchanges of the match were riddled with errors as both teams created good opportunities but then wasted them with knock-ons or by giving away cheap turnovers. Indeed, with ten minutes gone on the clock, the Magdalen winger Andy Johnson found himself only inches away from opening the scoring but knocked the ball on after a fairly tame tackle against him.
Magdalen then began to pile the pressure on LMH with their fly half, Henry Waite, causing a number of problems for the LMH defence with great kicking and quick passing. Yet the LMH defence seemed to be holding strong, with their forwards definitely winning the physical battle; with strong hand-offs from the number 8 Andrew Joseph frequently giving LMH an attacking platform and with a number of turnovers in the line-outs and scrums going to LMH. After another good scrum by LMH inside their own twenty-two, the Magdalen flanker went for an optimistic run to the try line. With three unlikely missed tackles from the LMH defence, the flanker touched-down for the first try of the game. An excellent conversion by Waite then gave Magdalen a 7-0 lead.

‘With LMH dropping their heads, Magdalen put the result beyond doubt’

This was how the score stayed for the rest of the first half, but the half-time team talks both captains must have been talking of victory and battling to a hard earned place in the next round. After only one minute of the second half, however, LMH found themselves 14-0 down. After a good kick-off, the LMH number 8 Joseph, dropped his attempted catch and, from the resulting Magdalen scrum, Waite played an excellent pass to give his side an overlap out wide. This left the centre Charles Bailey to touch down in the corner and extend his team’s lead. Then, forced to drop kick his conversions due to the lack of a kicking tee, Waite sublimely secured the extra two points with a fantastic drop kick through the middle of the sticks.

With LMH dropping their heads, Magdalen then began to pile on the pressure and put the result beyond doubt. After another good kick from Waite pinned LMH in their own twenty-two the pressure mounted; three lineouts in quick succession meant Magdalen threatened to once again break through the LMH defence. This they did, when the large lock Nick Jacques battered his way through two tackles to score his team’s third try despite a big hit from LMH hooker Ibbetson- Price on the try line. Waite then extended his side’s lead with another great drop kick conversion, making it 21-0.

With victory for Magdalen seemingly a foregone conclusion, their standard of rugby went up a level and they began to punish their opponents. After a great kick from Waite actually hit the corner flag, Magdalen pinned LMH in their twenty-two again. From a good turnover by the Magdalen forwards, the backs then spread the ball wide with a lovely move, allowing the winger Johnson to score a fourth try. So with only twenty minutes gone in the second half, Magdalen had assured their place in the quarter finals of cuppers.

However, determined to avoid a whitewash, LMH began pushing their opponents back in search of some sort of consolation. This consolation came with the last move of the game when their huge lock Chris Sandom thundered through the Magdalen defence to score. It was nothing less than LMH deserved and it was fitting that it was a forward who got the try, for the LMH pack had worked tirelessly all game and often seemed superior to their opposite numbers. In the end, however, the superior talent in the Magdalen backs proved decisive and sent Magdalen through to the quarter finals.

Right To Play (RTP) is one of the largest children’s charities in the world. Its mission is to improve children’s lives in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport. The charity as a whole was founded as part of the Albertville Winter Olympics in 1992, originally called Olympic Aid, but Oxford’s Right To Play (ORTP) was set up at the end of Trinity 2009 with the aim of raising funds and awareness for RTP within the University. It has since grown to become an official university student society.

RTP trains local community leaders as coaches to use sport and play as learning tools in four specific areas: RTP’s sport and play programmes foster child development and teach important values and life skills; the programmes are used to educate and mobilise communities around health and disease issues, such as HIV, malaria and the importance of immunisation; conflict resolution and reintegration is managed by participation of divided communities and, finally, infrastructure is developed in partnership with local organisations.

So far ORTP have organised the Night To Play mass crew date, and another is planned for next term. This term Right To Play are also working with another Oxford student society, Running Across Borders, to organise a fun run/sports day aimed at schoolchildren from across Oxfordshire. Furthermore, in 8th week, ORTP will be supporting the OU Cross Country Club’s annual Teddy Hall Relays. With the relay changeovers taking place on the historic Roger Bannister Track at Iffley road (home of the first sub-four minute mile), and along a scenic 3.6 mile course that winds though Christ Church meadows and down the river.

‘RTP’s programmes teach important values and life skills’

Teddy Hall Relays is an event going from strength to strength every year. Last year there were over one thousand competitors representing universities nationwide as well as teams from university and college sports clubs, boat clubs, university departments and simply college friends. Whilst competition at the front is always fierce, for many years the Teddy Hall Relay has been a race that can be enjoyed by all.

The 2010 race takes place on Wednesday of 8th week and RTP will be assisting in the organisation by providing marshals and helpers on the day. RTP teams from Oxford and other RTP groups across the country will also be battling it out on the course. Supporting the Teddy Hall Relays, especially by volunteering to be a RTP marshal for a couple of hours is a simple way to help out the charity and contribute to a great cause (while you can still compete).

If you want to get involved with a charity during your time at Oxford, and are passionate about sport, Right To Play is well worth a look. All the members of the committee are RTP ‘student ambassadors’ and receive plenty of support from RTP UK’s university partnership team. Alternatively, nominate Right to Play to receive RAG funds from your college.

The president of the OU Sports Federation represents a hugely important role, but one which too few people seem to know very much about. Nominations for the next president will close on Tuesday, when candidates who have acquired 10 signatures of approval will begin their campaigns for the prestigious position. As incumbent Ruth Holmes explains, ‘the president is always a recent graduate; the process is similar to the OUSU presidency, except the electorate is comprised of people only from Oxford’s sporting community.’

The position is predominantly ambassadorial, providing an important link between the university’s governing body and its students: ‘My responsibilities are varied; I’m in control of some very serious issues, such as deciding how the annual block grant is divided among our registered sports clubs. There are also some interesting things that you might not expect; for example, I ensure that our sports kit deal with Canterbury is maintained, and I organise the distribution of cheap tickets to sports students for Wednesday night Park End.’

Holmes has thoroughly enjoyed her time in the post so far, a tenure that runs from June 2009 to June 2010. ‘I sit on lots of committees, and it’s great to be so involved with improving sport at Oxford and providing a voice for such a vibrant and talented athletic community.’ Other duties include overseeing the publication of the sports Annual Review, (a recap of the year that is distributed to over 20,000 alumni) and organising the Varsity Games, a series of 20 indoor sports that will take place at Iffley Road this year.

Holmes is a former physiology student from Catz; she plays Blues hockey, something which her sabbatical stint as president has allowed her to continue. She says that any eligible sportsperson should consider applying; the elections provide no platform for hacking, and are not popularity contests: ‘All nominees are invited to speak before a selection committee and an audience of around 200 students and coaches involved in Oxford University sport. This will take place on Thursday of 6th week, one week after nominations close.’

Based upon her own success and enjoyment, Ruth Holmes encourages anyone to apply for the position of Sports Fed President for 2010/11.

It is said that every person has the right to choose which path they take through life. For Amy Ellis-Thompson, she has chosen to take “The Way of Gentleness.”

Ellis-Thompson, a black belt and soon to be a Blue in Judo, wants to alter the common perception of a sport that requires the same level of dedication, training and fitness as any other. Training four to five times a week not only reflects her dedication but underlines her love for a sport which she first embraced at the age of 10. A first-year at St. Peter’s, she is one of only a few undergraduates in what is a group predominantly made up of post-graduates, students from Oxford Brookes and the city. Furthermore, she is unique in being the only member of the team to study a humanity – English – while the rest of the side, interestingly, specialise in science-based subjects.

It is clear to see that Ellis-Thompson has embraced the principles laid down by the founding father of Judo, Jigoro Kano: that of a means for governing and improving oneself physically, mentally, emotionally and morally. The world of Judo has not only given her a renewed sense of determination but confidence which stems from the fantastic support base around her. The Oxford Judo Club was nominated for Club of the Year in 2008, she cites the “great team atmosphere” that holds the team together as a crucial factor in helping to instil a belief in each and every fighter – a belief which they can take with them to every fight.

Ellis-Thompson begrudgingly admits that Judo does not sustain a high profile in England like it does in a host of other European countries. When reflecting upon her recent participation in a Judo event staged in Paris, she talks of “the great atmosphere” and the thrill of competing in front of hundreds of people who have found a great deal of affection for this sport. It may have been a nerve-racking experience for her but one which will live long in her memory.

As for the immediate future, her focus is very much on the Varsity Match on 27th February in the Oxford Town Hall, a competition which Oxford has won for a remarkable eight years on the trot. With passionate people like Ellis-Thompson in the world of Judo, the sport can only be heading in a positive direction and if she sticks by her pledge to “do it as long as I’m a pensioner,” we’ll be sure to hear a lot more about her in years to come.

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball. No words could sum up the OUSU Dodgeball tournament better. Dodgeball isn’t a mainstream sport, I’m sure most people have never even seen a proper dodgeball match beyond the legendary setting of Average Joes’ Gym. But it’s a game of skill, tactics, composure, and downright determination. You have to dodge, duck, dip and dive your way to victory. And thanks to excellent organisation by Daniel Laue, plenty of money was raised for charity.

St Catz C team came out on top this year, breaking the previous stronghold of the dodgeball champions Teddy Hall. C team by name only, a technical flaw in the proceedings meant the team that entered first was the A team even though they weren’t their best players. The early group stages were dominated by quick one sided games as the seeded teams took out the wildcards without losing players, a result that is often referred to in the dodgeball arena as a ‘whitewash’. The group stages ended with little controversy as the big sides progressed to the business end of the day, though it wasn’t without its spectacular moments. An unknown lone player pulled out a spectacular double dodge, splitting the two incoming missiles like unwashed and unconditioned hair, to pick up the dodge of the day award.

So the quarters progressed, and a series of strong performances by men with handlebar moustaches meant St Catz took away the victory, and restored pride to the college. But it was the Christ Church teams that initially broke up the Teddy Hall contingency. Christ Church A took out the Teddy Hall C team in the pools, but lost in a quarter final rematch. The House B team made it all the way to the final with some excellent tactical dodgeball, spearheaded by new boy Mark Rambotinitowski.

Initially it was Teddy Hall B ousted in the quarter final courtesy of an outrageously athletic diving catch by Ben Anderson, and then it was farewell to Teddy Hall A after a thrilling and controversial semi final ended in a one vs. one final showdown. It’s a metaphor, but that actually happened. However, St Catz, after sweeping past St John’s and Teddy Hall C in the quarters and semis respectively, took them down at the final hurdle, turning around the loss inflicted on them by the same team in the earlier group stages.

The final came down to the wire, with early initial tame exchanges. But slowly both teams were worn down to 2 apiece, and with Catz making an excellent catch it was suddenly 3 on 1. Christ Church Man of the Match Bob Hector needed to make a vital catch against 3 opponents to keep their hopes alive. He dodged the first, then went for it. It stuck in his giant mitts, it was back to 2 on 2, and Christ Church smelled victory in the air. Another successful catch would have swung it beyond reach for either side, and Christ Church made the first move. A dive to the side for a fast swerving ball, but it was too good. Bob once again had to save the match, but twice was too much. Catz teamed up and sent in 2 bullets to knock the big man down and to knock Christ Church out.

Christ Church B captain Tom Morris comments ‘At the end of the day, we beat Teddy Hall. Pub?’ The wooden spoon went to Brasenose; it really was like watching ‘a bunch of retards trying to hump a doorknob.’ (The film’s words, not mine!) Patches O’Hoolahan was not available for comment.

In the Premier Division’s most important fixture of the season so far, dominant Christ Church breezed past Catz, 4-1, to move 6 points clear at the top of the table. The leaders began the game at a furiously ruthless pace, never allowing 2nd placed Catz a foothold in the contest. Before kick-off, only 3 points had separated the teams, and Catz, playing at home, hoped to get their claws back into the title race here.

But ChCh had other ideas from the first minutes of the clash; their defenders won every early ball, and the midfield took control of the game within the opening quarter of an hour. It was their devastating attack, though, led by league top-scorer Mark Michaelides (who now has 10 goals from 11 games) and his strike partner Alec Ward, that tormented Catz all afternoon. Michaelides scored after 10 minutes, arrowing a low volley into the corner of the net: Catz were stunned to fall behind so quickly, and it took them some time before they rediscovered their usual rhythm and measured passing approach.

‘Before the game, only 3 points separated the teams’

The away side’s celebrations underlined their intent; they knew that victory on the pitch of their closest rivals would be huge in the wider context of the Premier Division championship.

Christ Church settled into the game much more comfortably, spraying the ball around and threatening the Catz defence with almost every possession. The second goal was thoroughly deserved: a dangerous inswinging corner caused all sorts of confusion in the box- the ball eventually cannoned off the head of an unfortunate Catz defender, flying past his rooted goalkeeper and doubling ChCh’s lead.

‘Chch settled into the game much more comfortably’

The game was becoming increasingly one-sided, but Catz showed some signs of making it a real contest, particularly in the second half. The hard work of Carl Assmundson went largely unrewarded, though the centre-forward ran tirelessly and had some excellent moments of skill on the ball. Catz have scored plenty of goals this season, but few defences are as resilient and uncompromising as the Christ Church back four: Catz were rarely penetrating from open play, and never managed to engineer a genuine chance to score, instead being restricted to a few speculative shots from long-range.
3-0 came before the break: Alec Ward picked up the ball midway into the Catz half, striding forwards, unchallenged, before unleashing a crisp left-footed strike into the bottom corner.

The half-time whistle could not come soon enough for Catz: the first period of such a crucial match had been painful watching for the throngs of home fans lining the field. The team responded positively to their difficult deficit, however, dominating the opening exchanges of the second half.

Catz deserved their goal, though it arrived fortuitously: Alan MacNaughton’s long, looping free-kick from 40 yards out dropped awkwardly in the Christ Church box: the keeper failed to clear, and a waiting pair of Catz pounced upon the loose ball inside the 6-yard box.

At 3-1, Catz had given themselves a glimmer of hope: even a draw would have suited Christ Church much more favourably, but the home side were forced to press forwards in search of vital goals. As has been the case all season, Christ Church’s midfield protected their defence staunchly; Richard Bath and Ben White broke up attacks again and again, frustrating a rejuvenated Catz offense.

The hammer blow was delivered with 15 minutes remaining: a wonderful free-flowing move culminated in Ward’s pinpoint cross, which was met by the rocket-header of Michaelides. The final ten minutes were easily seen out by the league leaders. Catz, led by their captain Peter Kiln, cannot be counted out of the hunt just yet though.

Christ Church captain Kamran Adle was delighted with his team’s performance: ‘All 11 men were great, as we have been all season long. We deserve to be in this position, challenging for the title. It is ours to throw away now.’
With 5 games remaining and a 6 point lead, Christ Church still face some difficult games: they must play 3rd placed Teddy Hall away from home, and Magdalen are one of the league’s most erratic and enigmatic teams. Barring collapse, ChCh can claim the college’s first football championship in over two decades: with this impressive result, they are in touching distance of the trophy.