Cambridge University Lacrosse Club

01/03/2008

Oxford Blues 4 - Cambridge 8

The Cambridge Blues travelled to Oxford for this year's Varsity match with a strange mixture of nervousness and confidence. Having defeated their Dark Blue rivals twice this year already, the team were keen to continue their run. However, the Oxford Blues, or the 'Gladiators' as they colloquially like to be known, were eager to remove Cambridge from their unbeaten pedestal and restore some belief to their ranks. This 'nothing to lose' attitude was clear from the starting whistle as Oxford fought hard for the ground balls and made fierce drives to the goal. The opening few minutes were frantic and the Cambridge defence had to react early to some Oxford pressure. But the storm turned out to be a minor squall and Cambridge's superior skill began to shine through, as goals from Ros Lloyd, George Hurt and Ellie Walshe put them in a comfortable lead.

The team spirit of Cambridge broke through the Dark Blue clouds most strongly in this period, with some great midfield work by Emily Knight, Kate Morland, Jackie Vullinghs and Rosie Garvey providing smooth attacking purpose and support for the defence. Gen Gotla and Clare Jeffreys demonstrated the strength in all areas of this team, stopping the Oxford attacking runs and closing off dangerous passes. Lea Michaels, Helen Leppard and Adele Fauvet, all playing in their last Varsity match, put every last breath and even some blood into the team's cause.

The score stood at 6-1 at half time, but the Blues knew their job was far from complete. As the crowd of Oxford supporters grew, Oxford intensified pressure on the ball, disrupting Cambridge's attacking plays. Oxford's core of key players began to raise their game, notably Ollie Valner, the Oxford MVP. The pressure on the Light Blues (or mint greens to be totally truthful) eventually paid off. A series of rapid turnovers created a panicked midfield, and Cambridge's transitional play was thwarted by Oxford's successful double teams. The eruption of support from the Oxford sideline spurred on the Oxford attack who successfully brought the scoreline up to 7-4. However, under the commanding voice of George Hurt in defence and the direction of captain, Alex Carnegie-Brown, Cambridge stayed focused and resilient, and a well placed shot by Josie Baum decided the final score of 8-4.

It is a scoreline of which this whole team should be extremely proud. Victory is perhaps only fully deserved when the opposition throws everything at you, and by that reckoning, this result was no foregone conclusion. It was a hard-fought and hard-earned win. At the end of every Varsity match, one is forcibly reminded that, 'there is no form going into the Varsity match. What has gone before doesn't matter. The team that wants it more wins.' Although these wise words must be attributed to a Dark Blue, the 2007 Oxford rugby captain, they have real significance to this exceptional squad. No result is deserved until the game is played, and on March 1st, the Cambridge Blues earned every inch of the Varsity trophy.

Lea Michaels & Emily Knight

Blues Varsity Squad
Alex Carnegie-Brown (capt)
Rosie Garvey (vice-capt)
Adele Fauvet
Kate Morland
Ellie Walsh (Most Valued Player)
Jackie Vullinghs
Emily Knight
Ros Lloyd
George Hurt
Lea Michaels
Gen Gotla
Helen Leppard
Clare Jeffreys
Josie Baum
George Rose