Any spectators who arrived late to University Parks on a wet and blustery day last week will have been struck by the strange combination of Native American tradition and English public school competitiveness that is English lacrosse. Particularly in this, one of the sport’s most competitive set of fixtures, the annual Varsity matches. That the four matches were to be played consecutively no doubt contributed to the good atmosphere and sizeable crowd, made up of family, friends and curious bystanders.

First underway were the Women’s seconds, known as the Swifts, who having already faced Cambridge twice during the season where they had emerged with a victory each time. Bolstered by a number of players who had represented the Blues throughout the season, they went into a fixture guaranteed to be fiercely competitive quietly confident. Cambridge started the strongest, however, with a quick goal straight from the centre draw, lacrosse’s equivalent of a kick-off, giving them a very fast lead. The early momentum did not, fortunately, remain with Cambridge and Oxford soon equalised with a fiery reply. It proved, however, to be short-lived and Cambridge were able to mount a sustained period of pressure around Oxford’s goal. Despite a determined and resilient defensive performance by midway in the second half the damage had been done and Cambridge had opened up a significant lead. That Oxford again rallied and had a strong period of possession themselves, symbolised the team’s spirit but the game eventually finished 6-4 to Cambridge.

Next on the pitch were the Men’s seconds, who hoped to bring the overall score back level. This was achieved in emphatic style. The Iroquois, as the seconds are known, were not as hindered by the poor conditions as the teams playing later, and a more open match developed. A spectacle of big hits and great goals was enjoyed by the hardy spectators who had braved the early morning conditions.

In what seemed to be a match played between two mismatched sides, Raj Rout’s (Nuffield) fakes left everybody questioning the whereabouts of the ball and with the St. Anne’s duo, Hammett and Songe, dominating the midfield, the rest of the team were able to control every stage of the match. Whilst, out, of the copious number scored, Jon Jones’ (Balliol) low to high shot which rippled into the top left corner that was arguably the goal of the match, it was the Iroquois’ ability in the second half to ‘invert’ their game, essentially meaning the attack and defence could swap at will, that impressed the crowd the most. In the end they ran out very comfortable 22-1 victors, and gave the two Blues teams a much needed lift going into the second half of the day’s matches.
With the weather still very volatile (from fairly bright spring conditions to a hailstorm) the pitches became, increasingly sodden, and it was decided to play the two Blues matches simultaneously rather than consecutively. Having enjoyed a very successful season, including defeating Cambridge twice comfortably in the BUCS league, confidence and expectations for the Oxford men were high. However, an almost identical poor start to the women’s seconds left the men down by a goal almost immediately. This single goal seemed to have the double effect of giving Cambridge the belief that they could achieve an upset and to put Oxford psychologically on the back-foot for the remainder of the match.

Whilst the score remained close throughout, Oxford only led once during the whole match and never seemed able to achieve the high performance levels that their season had been characterised by, with a final result of 8-6. Speaking after the match, a clearly upset, Fred Snowball (Hertford), the Men’s Captain, admitted that it was “back to the drawing board for OULC” because there were “no excuses, we just didn’t show up on the day and they did”.
And so, the women’s Blues match became the last game of the day, and to

the clear delight of the extremely focused players the warm up began in another ferocious hailstorm. Fortunately, for players and spectators alike, this subsided into heavy rain, but by the first whistle the players were soaked and increasingly muddy. Cambridge scored two quick goals, leaving Oxford with the even greater challenge of having to fight back in worsening conditions. The rain had turned the pitch into a mud bath, which made changing direction impossible with players ending up face down in the mud. Against the odds though, they did rally and a feed from behind the goal provided Emily Sever (St Anne’s) with a classic quick-stick goal that was simply too much for the Cambridge goalie. Inspired by such skill, Natalie Lister (Pembroke) scored from a penalty minutes later, bringing the game back even, at 2-2, at half time. The second half was ferocious, with a wild crowd cheering Oxford. It remained level for nearly fifteen minutes, with numerous attempts to score by both teams, including three hits of the posts by Alex Walvis (Christchurch). Unfortunately, the game slipped from the grasp of the Oxford team, as, led by the “notorious bad-boy” – as she was later described – Georgie Hurt, Cambridge scored three goals far too easily to put the result beyond doubt. The final score, 5-2, certainly flattered Cambridge , but there was no doubt that they deserved their victory in what had been a very close and exciting match. Raj Rout, Women’s coach noted that ‘we were underdogs and fought in terrible conditions.’

Whilst on the day Cambridge sadly ran out emphatic winners overall; it was clear to all who attended that Oxford University Lacrosse Club is in a very healthy condition, and that on another day the result could have easily been reversed.

This weekend sees the pinnacle of the Centaurs and Development Squad’s calendar being reached as they take on Cambridge in the Varsity match. Hopes are high ahead of the weekend’s fixture as the Centaurs enter it on the back of three comprehensive victories and the Development Squad go into it with a wealth of talent.

But, the season has not been an easy one. The Centaurs struggled in the early part of the season, dropping points to neighbours Brookes and other strong opposition such as Coventry. This led to the team entering into the final two matches of the BUCS League needing to pick up valuable points to avoid relegation. The team responded emphatically and with the addition of several new faces such as O’Brien and Earle and the adoption of a 4-3-3 formation. It also dispelled any relegation fears by picking up three points from each match.
As a result, a strong squad containing both teams faced recently St Mary’s University. They were one of the strongest sides faced and are currently in the semi-final of the BUCS knockout. However, the team put out comfortably won 3-1, with Affron scoring a brace.

The squads to face Cambridge at the weekend were announced on Sunday night and this week sees an intensive training schedule. Confidence levels are high and if current form is retained then two victories should be recorded. However, both teams are aware of the unique nature any Varsity match has and how the form book can easily be thrown out the window. Despite this, Cambridge can be certain that Saturday should prove to be their toughest challenge of the season, especially as the Centaurs enter the game under the astute leadership of Steve Carolin, a veteran who has played in two previous fixtures and is out to avenge two previous defeats.

From Wednesday to Saturday of 7th week (3rd -6th of March), the Torpids rowing competition will take place on the Oxford stretch of the Thames, locally called the “Isis”. That is, weather permitting of course.
For those new to the Oxford rowing scene, Torpids is a bumps rowing race for Oxford colleges which takes place in either 6th or 7th week of Hilary Term every year. In a bumps race; each boat lines up in a staggered start with a length and half of a boat between each crew. The aim for each crew is to then try to catch the boat in front of them and achieve a “bump”. There are three ways to bump the crew in front: one can gain overlap so that the cox of the opposition crew is forced to concede in order to avoid a crash, one can clean overtake the opposing crew or finally one can physically bump into them. Hence the name “bumps racing”.
If a crew manages to do one of the above, and get a bump then on the next day of racing, this crew will be moved one place further up the division. The ultimate aim of Torpids for all crews is to get what are known as “blades” (ornamental blades with the names of one’s crew on). These are given to a crew that manages to bump the boat in front of them on each of the four days of the competition.
Those are the basics of the competition and if you fancy going down to the river to catch a glimpse of this great sporting spectacle this week; then besides one’s own college crews to support; who are the ones to watch? Well, one can never go wrong with watching the cream of the crop of Oxford’s rowers in the men’s first division. Christ Church M1, after a great performance last year moved them from 4th to 1st in the men’s first division, will be eager to keep the coveted “Head of the River” spot this week. However, they face stern competition from the other powerhouses of college rowing: Pembroke and Magdalen who will be keen to end Christ Church’s dominance of college rowing over the last two years.Lower down the divisions, Wolfson M1 have been racking up some good times in the Isis Winter League regattas this year (winning the last two) and are likely to smash through the Men’s division 2. Worcester and Wadham will likewise be trying to build on good performances in regattas earlier in the season, and will look to cement places in the first division.
On the women’s side of things; the battle for the “Head of the River” spot is between St Catz, Christ Church, Magdalen and Oriel. Then Trinity, belying their position at the top of division 3, have also impressed this year and will almost certainly move up the divisions. At the other end of the spectrum there are also the 2nd, 3rd and 4th eights who qualified for the competition last Friday in what is called “rowing on”. The winners of rowing on: St Hilda’s M1 in the men’s and LMH W2 in the women’s will almost certainly challenge for blades this year and could provide some good viewing.
Having said this, the form book does perhaps mean next to nothing when it comes to bump racing; in which the outcome of a race is usually decided within the first 500 metres and in which the slightest steering mistake by a cox could lead to a huge tumble all the way down a division.
One thing is for sure however, that the racing this week (weather permitting) will be as close as ever and will be a great viewing spectacle. So get yourselves down to the river from Wednesday to Saturday this week and witness one of Oxford’s best sporting spectacles.

Saturday the twenty-seventh of February in Oxford Town Hall held host to a clash of titanic forces, as four teams from Oxford and four from Cambridge faced each other off in the eightieth annual Varsity Judo match. Following a disappointing overall loss to Cambridge last year, Oxford University Judo Club, the collective name for the men’s, women’s and city teams, arrived at the Town Hall fully prepared. After weeks of rigorous training, they had no mind to take any prisoners. OUJC President Andrew ‘Bone-Quaker’ Stewart admitted that there were no guaranteed wins, as the Town Hall began to fill with spectators and the teams started to warm-up. Stewart said, ‘Our women’s team is incredibly strong, and our men’s teams are much stronger than last year, but I was less sure about the city team because I knew Cambridge would be fielding a few international-standard players.’
Judo is an Olympic sport which involves throwing, hold downs, locks and strangles and has always had a strong body of participants, or ‘Judoka,’ at both Universities. This resulted in an unprecedented tie between the Men’s blues teams in 2009 which Oxford lost by a hair’s breadth in a rematch. This year, the atmosphere in the Town Hall reflected the strong support given to the Oxford teams on their home turf; Stewart noted that ‘every Oxford win earned us a huge roar from the crowd.’ This surge of adrenalin echoing from the players into their supporters suggested that this year, Oxford were firmly focused on bringing all four team trophies back to their Dojo at Iffley Road.
A minor delay due to a Cambridge coach malfunction resulted in an impromptu display of Judo techniques by city player Henry Winney and female coach and third Dan Carol Doherty, generating a fever pitch level of excitement in the crowd for the fighting to begin. The first contests of the day were Oxford and Cambridge’s city teams, each consisting of seven men and one woman, fighting in order from the heaviest to the lightest player. Oxford’s city captain was their talented female competitor, England squad member Jordan Doherty. An extremely close round of contests, many lasting the full five minutes of the match, saw Oxford down six-one as the last contest between the teams began. Despite some impressive performances, from Oxford’s ‘man of the match’ Henry Winney against a strong French International player, and a confident win from first Dan Luis Poyatas, Captain Jordan Doherty’s well-executed arm lock against a larger female opponent was not in time to clinch the City trophy that the team fought so hard for.
However, the high standard of Judo exhibited by both teams set a precedent for the rest of the matches, as Oxford Judo coaches Chris and Carol Doherty focused their attention on the three remaining teams. The men’s B teams then took to the mat area, determined to see the trophy back in Oxford after a crushing one-seven loss to Cambridge the previous year. Captained by James Fowler of St Catherine’s College, and consisting of seven players, the team ranged in ability, from experienced competitors to those who had taken up Judo only in the last year. Skillful fighting led to an impressive five-three win for the Oxford team, including some excellent throws by Oxford players Frank Curry and Nick Rounthwaite.
The men’s B team barely had a minute to celebrate their success before Oxford and Cambridge’s Women’s Blues teams were approaching the contest area. Women’s captain Karen Kruska, a first Dan, said that she was ‘overwhelmed by the atmosphere in the town hall’ as her team prepared to fight. On the eightieth anniversary of an event that has always demonstrated a great standard of Judo, the Women’s team were the strongest many people had ever seen them, as the five-player team included two first Dan (black belts), a first Kyu (brown belt), and two second Dan players, one of whom was Becky Bayliss, former OUJC President and Commonwealth bronze medalist.
The team stormed through their fights, winning quickly and decisively by ‘ippon’ or ‘full score,’ surrendering only one loss to their Cambridge opposition. Cambridge’s Women’s captain was thrown in six seconds, and the President of Cambridge Judo, Catharina Casper, lost to Bayliss for the third year in a row. The support for the team was extremely strong, as the players celebrated the ninth consecutive year the Women’s trophy would be on display at Iffley Road. Kruska added, ‘I was confident that my team would win at every stage of the competition, but I still felt very proud,’ also commending coaches Chris and Carol Doherty for all their hard work and expertise.
The earlier loss of Oxford’s city team meant that as the final team contest of the day approached, Cambridge still had the opportunity to create an overall draw. OUJC President Stewart, competing in the eight-player strong Men’s Blues team, described the importance of winning ‘in front of such a large home crowd’ after the close final the previous year, a sentiment echoed by the Men’s Blues Captain Justin Gregory. With five black belts on the team, there was still no guarantee of an Oxford win. Strong performances from the two heaviest players on the team got Oxford off to a good start, but some equally strong Cambridge players, and close fights, meant that for the second year in a row, the two teams were left with a four-four draw, and the necessity of a rematch.
Stewart described the ‘nail biting finale,’ which had every spectator and player in the hall up on their feet and screaming, as three of each eight-player team faced each other off in the deciding contests of the event. Brad ‘The Crusher’ Joyce, Ifor ‘Prince of Wales’ Capel, and Vitek ‘The Barbarian’ Sipal were selected to fight for their team. Joyce provided Oxford with another resounding victory, despite not being as highly graded as some of his teammates, inspiring confidence that this year’s final would go differently to the last. Capel, a second Dan and former President of the club took his strong opponent the full five-minute match distance, resulting in another adrenalin-fuelled win for Oxford, and an overall win for the team. Sipal fought strongly, coming back to win against the opponent he had originally lost to, giving Oxford not simply the two-one victory they needed but the three-nil victory they wanted.
As the Oxford teams began to revel in their three-one overall victory, Stewart ‘felt relieved’ and admitted that seeing the teams fight so well ‘made all the hard work worthwhile.’ However, the teams have no time to lose in celebrating: they plan to step up their training, with minds focused firmly on the British University Championships in Sheffield on the thirteenth and fourteenth of March, at which they intend to continue their Varsity success.