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.