How many hours does riding take out of your week?

We definitely take the title of the least hardcore Blues team! We try to cram all our training into the last few weeks before the competitions, particularly before our home match as we can work with the horses before hand. Training is very difficult with cost and travelling and it doesn’t make a great deal of difference since you never know what type of horse you will draw until the day. Horse riding is like riding a bike, you can not train for weeks and jump back on and it’ll not make a massive difference.

How is the season shaping up so far for the Blues?

The season hasn’t kicked off yet; the final teams have just been selected and are chomping at the bit ready to go. We have three teams competing in the BUCS championship and trophy leagues, hopefully this will be our year to make it to the nationals in both. Our first competition is on December the 3rd at Warwick and then they start coming thick and fast at the beginning of Hilary – wish us luck.

How is morale in the camp these days?

Team spirit is pretty high at the minute, but wait until it gets to those cold February mornings when, trust me, the last thing you fancy doing is going outside and sitting on a horse until your bum is numb and your fingers have turned a nasty shade of blue and are on the verge of dropping off – the freshers don’t know what they’ve let themselves in for. Then it’ll be up to this year’s team captain, Kat, to raise the spirits.

Have any great freshers stepped up to the team?

We have 6 freshers joining a team of 12 riders, so yes definitely. In particular Imogen Peck, St. Hilda’s fresher, who spent her gap year eventing with Australian rider Bill Levitt. Next term she plans to bring her horses closer to Oxford in time for the up and coming season.

Are you ever worried about the dangers of your sport?

Horses are very unpredictable and seriously strong and they also make mistakes which makes riding a very dangerous sport but I think it’s also what most of us love about it and makes it so exhilarating. I think it’s always in the back of your mind, but we definitely don’t let it stop us.

How do you fancy your Varsity chances?

Although I hate to admit it, Oxford has never won Varsity on record and Cambridge always has a very strong team. That said, we came frustratingly close last year with Oxford taking 1st and 4th places individually. I am feeling very optimistic about our chances this year; we have a really excellent team. I think this is probably the best Oxford team I have seen in the past 3 years, so fingers crossed!

TRINITY/LMH 24 
WADHAM 17

Both sides had a point to prove coming into this season opener. This was especially true for Trinity/LMH, who have come down from the first division without having won a game. Wadham meanwhile were keen to prove that they could cut it against tougher opposition, but were unfortunate to be missing many of the starting lineup that had won them promotion. Nevertheless, this proved to be a spirited display of end-to-end rugby, which though scrappy at times made it clear that both sides will be competitive in this division.

Wadham’s lack of game-time together became quickly apparent as they allowed Trinity/LMH to take the initiative from the kick-off, openside flanker Doug Riddle making an early impression with a deep run into the Wadham half setting up the first scrum of the match. The superior power and experience of Trnity/LMH’s pack was immediately obvious as Wadham under pressure gave away an early penalty for feeding. Trinity/LMH opted for the corner, hoping to turn this early pressure into points. Eventually, over-exuberance at the breakdown set up a scrum from which the forwards drove towards the line, prop Ben Murray finally bowling over for the score. Back in the Wadham half, Trinity/LMH were penalised for not releasing, allowing the Wadham backline to show its potential by taking the penalty quickly. This enabled them to push into the Trinity/LMH half for the first time, only to be penalised for being offside. The pattern of the game established itself early, both sides producing promising passages of play only to knock on or concede penalties.

Sloppy hands in the Trinity/LMH backline gave Wadham a break as centre Will Spencer pounced on the ball to run in an easy try under the posts. The conversion was slotted by Wadham fly-half Harry Mayhew to put Wadham in the lead against the run of play.

Trinity/LMH responded with pressure straight from the restart to retain possession, building the phases and securing a five metre scrum. The dominant Trinity/LMH pack would not be denied, eventually driving forward number eight Will Mackintosh to touchdown. Wadham responded immediately (their teething problems a thing of the past) working the ball downfield and setting up good field position to release their backline and allow winger Dave Roberts to score in the corner.

The game had become a real contest, but Wadham’s discipline continued to let them down, ultimately gifting Trinity/LMH another scrum on the five metre which was once again driven over for a try.

A colossal hit from Trinity/LMH flanker Adam Barker late in the first half had injured one of the beleaguered Wadham front row who was now forced to leave the field. This forced uncontested scrums, but did little to tame the aggression of the second half, inhuman tackling from Wadham scrum half Josh Venner setting the tone. But Wadham’s indiscipline continued – the dubious legality of much of number eight Thomas Pascoe’s play particularly notable.

After winning a lineout Trinity/LMH were awarded a further penalty after the maul was illegally collapsed by an ELV-unused Wadham pack. The penalty was taken quickly, the ball driven over the line and the try awarded although clearly held up.

Incensed by this decision Wadham found another gear, a savage hit from replacement centre Dieter Iveson winning a penalty which was quickly taken by winger Michael Tam. And Wadham persevered – from a quick tap penalty they worked the ball through the hands to finally score through fullback Toby Mullins, putting Wadham within a converted try. Minutes later though, Trinity/LMH had the chance to put the game away with a penalty kick, but the ball skewed wide resulting in a frantic final ten minutes. Ultimately, however, Wadham were unable to keep the ball, and paid the price for their lack of self control, allowing Trinity/LMH to see out the game with confidence.

BLUES 4
WARWICK 1

Oxford put the disappointment of the previous two weeks behind them with a convincing victory against bottom of the table Warwick 1sts. After losing and drawing to Nottingham 1sts and 2nds respectively over the past two weeks, the Blues were looking to revitalise their league form, and started at a high tempo.

Indeed they took the lead after just two minutes, Lucian Weston winning a 50:50 challenge before sliding the ball between the centre-back and full-back for Alex Toogood. The finish was exemplary and despite the protestations of the Warwick back line for a suspected handball, the goal was given, providing the ideal start for Oxford. The game continued at the same high tempo, but the pitch was not conducive to one-touch football, and despite glimpses of quality football, Oxford struggled to gain any authority over Warwick.

Warwick had decided that route one was their best option, and following a long goal kick this proved to the case. Indecision between defenders Hodgson and Squires allowed the ball to bounce, and after a further mix-up between these two and keeper Whylly, an attacker was able to nip in between before being brought down by Whylly, resulting in a penalty. Warwick could not take this opportunity, with the penalty cannoning back off the post, but it was only another 10 minutes before an almost identical mix-up between the same three players this time did result in a goal. Although this mix-up was costly, it was perhaps not reflective of the game as a whole, as Oxford were pressing high up the pitch, and chances were being created, with de Walden unfortunate not to get a better result after connecting with a Kelly cross.

A constructive team talk at half-time, in which the defensive problems were ironed out, allowed Oxford to start the second-half with confidence and intent. And yet again, they were rewarded with Weston scoring from 25 yards with what looked suspiciously like a mis-hit shot. All goals count however, and this one allowed Oxford to assume control of the game, and with Warwick tiring, space was appearing in the middle of the park. Knight and Weston were able to use this space effectively, and began to regularly spray the ball out wide to wingers McCrickerd and Kelly, who were finding acres of room.

The third goal was testament to this, the ball being played out to McCrickerd, whose chipped ball down the line was flicked on by de Walden to Toogood. He turned the last defender with ease before neatly chipping the ball over the helpless ‘keeper to double the advantage. The Blues now began to use the ball far better, especially from the back, with Wherry in particular carrying the ball forward with purpose on a number of occasions. Indeed the fourth goal was only a matter of time, and after another clipped ball down the channel, this time from Kelly, Toogood was able to beat his man before cutting back the ball for de Walden who totally fluffed it, but McCrickerd was on hand to deliver an emphatic finish and increase further Oxford’s lead.

More chances were created in the remaining 15 minutes as Oxford enjoyed their football, and during this period Oxford could have easily increased their lead. Kelly had a goal dubiously disallowed for offside, whilst Weston, Knight, Kelly and substitute Zagajewski all tried their luck from range in what was becoming an increasingly one-sided display. Oxford were unable to add to their lead, but this result will no doubt have given the side confidence in their challenge for the BUCS title, especially as their main title rivals lost, allowing Oxford to once again top the table.

Injury is a hazard to any athlete. For three weeks I have been recovering from a fractured rib. My coaches enjoy joking that it broke because I pulled hard for the first time in my life, I counter that it’s my immense leg drive that snapped the rib in two. The truth is much less dramatic, a simple overuse injury from the high volume of training.

Thankfully we have excellent medical staff, including osteopath John Gibbons (Peak Sporting Performance) and doctor John Sichel, who have been medicating, injecting and massaging me back to health. This episode reminds me how many different factors affect successful rowing – health, lifestyle, diet and others. In my crippled state I travelled to London to support the squad racing at the Fours Head.

The Fours Head is the only race against Cambridge before the Boat Race on 29 March. It is an important regatta for predicting early season form. OUBC raced as “Isis Boat Club” and boated four crews – three coxed fours and one coxless – from our base at St Paul’s School.

There were mixed feelings about our results – obviously no one likes to lose and we definitely lost. Cambridge performed outstandingly well and we are a very long way behind where we need to be at this stage of the season. It is not totally clear that we’ve done anything wrong, but Cambridge have certainly gathered some talented guys, many of whom have rowed at the highest level.

Owing to injuries and illness, we were unable to boat our full squad of six fours. So our healthy non-racers performed a 5km ergo test instead. They chose to do their ergos at St Paul’s just to watch us. Good lads!

We still have so much to learn about ourselves and the tideway – the length of the river and coping with wash, currents and obstacles. For most people, going past the finish line in the race was the first they had seen the race course.

We now look towards the Trial Eights race on 11 December and then the Christmas holidays.