Cambridge University Lacrosse Club

23/02/08

London 0 - Cambridge Blues 30

As the men's lacrosse team looks ahead to this weekend's Varsity match, it can be fairly proud of some good momentum in 2008. A fairly disappointing Michaelmas term saw the Blues scraping victories against weaker opposition, and ultimately ended in a poor 13–6 defeat at home to Oxford. After Christmas, however, the team has been more prolific, scoring 77 goals, to 33 conceded, in six games. The result has been to produce five solid wins on the road, whilst our sole defeat came in Cambridge. The Blues can take heart, therefore, from the fact that Varsity will be fought in Oxford this year.

On Saturday, the Blues travelled down to `the City' to face the University of London. When the two sides met last term, the Blues let a 5–4 advantage go begging, slumping to an 8–5 defeat. The result of this second encounter could not, therefore, have been predicted; the Blues routing the opposition in a remarkable 30–0 victory. Two members of our all-American attack trio, Dave Haines and Kipp Weiskopf, had a field day, scoring 12 and 10 respectively. The defence were given little to do, on account of the relentless barrage of the London goal. Seizing one opportunity to join the action, defender and captain, Chris Jones, registered an artful behind the head goal off a feed from Ian Ralby.

With usual goalkeeper, Stuart McGregor Dallas, away attending Scotland national trials, Chris Smith stepped up to the task, remarkably producing the first clean sheet of the season for Cambridge. That said, he was hardly overburdened with work; an effective Blues defence limiting London to only a handful of shots in the game, and only a couple on target.

The tireless midfield did an excellent job of ensuring fast transition play on an unusually large pitch, despite having only a single substitute. More importantly, though, their composure and patience once in attack allowed the Blues to control the ball for the vast majority of the game, and create plenty of movement to upset an inexperienced London defence. Meng Wang and fresher Phil Hall were a persistent threat, breaking through the outer defences, and collecting a bucket load of assists. Wang and Weiskopf did commendable work to win nearly every face-off in a game, continuing the Cambridge possession and setting up several breaks, one resulting in a goal only five seconds into the second half.

The light Blues look forward to taking on their dark Nemesis this weekend, in what promises to be yet another closely fought contest. All are invited to support us at 1pm this Saturday, in the University Parks, Oxford.

Chris Jones