Varsity Match 2006

Results

Photos

Saturday 18th February saw the 13-strong Cambridge University Trampolining team huddling together for warmth outside Pembroke at 6.15am. Unfortunately they were still there at 7am, because the coach was waiting on Queens Road. After a moment of realisation they rectified this mistake and made it onto the coach, still enthusiastic but missing a few toes, which succumbed to frostbite.

Two hours later, fuelled by Katherine’s home baked Breakfast muffins (and after a quick snooze) they arrived at Oxford’s luscious indoor sports centre. In the sports hall, it soon became clear that Oxford meant business, as never before have trampolinists been heard to execute blood-curdling war cries. Cambridge nearly panicked and ran, until we realised the shouts were actually coming from the karate competition taking place in the same hall, separated from the trampolines by only a flimsy net curtain.

The two teams set up separate camps of chairs, and were distinguishable by their logos; “trampolinists do it in the air” (Cam) vs “? this way up”. However, as the time to bounce approached all such frivolities went out the window. Skin tight leotards were donned (no hot pink hot pants allowed), judges assembled and spectators primed.

Each team had 4 competitors from Cambridge and 4 from Oxford. For no discernable reason the B team were up first; Zoe Leake, Charlotte Pocock, Alex Corbishley and Suzy Talbot. Each competitor completed both a set (compulsory) and voluntary (vol) routine, and having performed beautifully, Zoe and Charlotte took both 1st and 2nd places for Cambridge. Unfortunately, although he completed a strong set routine, Alex only completed 6 of the 10 moves in his vol before attempting a mid-routine dismount. Thankfully, there was no blood shed on our side of the curtain (the same cannot be said for the karate).

The A team were up next; Kate Gladders, Nuala Tumelty, Lee Meakin and Katherine Shaw. Following the great performance of the B team, the A team all bounced with legs straight and toes pointed, completing great set routines, and exciting vols. Kate and Nuala took 1st and 3rd positions respectively, with 5th and 7th positions going to Lee and Katherine.

Last but not least was the C team; Joe Owen, Amy Collier, Ellen Turnbull, Becky Geddes and Janet Scott (reserve). All the waiting was taking it’s toll on the nerves, but thanks go to Ellen for supplying an industrial sized bottle of Rescue Remedy and a box of Jaffa Cakes to keep everyone calm and energized. Although we didn’t manage 1st position in this group, Joe and Amy scooped the silver and bronze positions with well executed, solid routines. Following in Alex’s footsteps, Becky did not manage to complete her vol, choosing not to attempt to execute a front somersault from the springs on the side of the trampoline. However, through a stroke of misfortune on Oxford’s part with a one footed landing early on making one of their routines marked out of a total of 1, Becky scraped 6th. Ellen performed well, and completed all 10 moves of her set brilliantly – only to be hit full force by one too many drops of Rescue Remedy, whereupon she fell over (losing an unfortunate 0.8 points from each judge).

As the morning progressed Cambridge jumped further and further ahead of Oxford on the leader board (no pun intended), winning all 3 categories, counting for 3 Varsity Games points, and winning the competition overall for the first time in 3 years. Weary but jubilant, the team headed out for pizza, accompanied by the Oxford team, where Katherine and Lee, our team Captains, accepted the Varsity Cup. Thanks go to Rachel and everyone else who came along to support the team. Congratulations CUTC!