Cambridge University Lacrosse Club

20/10/07

Oxford 12 - Cambridge 3

This match started off as a bit of a farce, and we made the school-boy error of letting it get under our skin and affecting our game. When the whistle blew we still had all the rushing across Oxford and hurried 5 min warm up going through our minds, and we started the match running about like headless chickens – clearly phased by the situation when we so blatantly wanted to prove ourselves against the old foe.

To their credit, Oxford were characteristically cool and precise – something which more than likely added to our frustrations. Lina was a star in goal (making some great saves and withstanding shots to the face) and the defence ran hard. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. Despite improvements from the last match, it was clear that it had been less than a week since the UEA fixture. The halftime whistle blew and we were 7-0 down.

Again, the break worked in our favour and we settled down and began to play more of our game. Although still a shadow of our performance the week before, we started to get some of the continuity to our game that the first half had craved. James V stepped up again to score the first goal for us; filling us with a bit more fire in our bellies and pride in our hearts. The second half was closely fought with oxford just edging it 5-3.

The final result was 12-3 to Oxford, a score which reflects our performance on the day but by no means our abilities on the pitch. We relish the opportunity of our next meeting in February, at home. To show the dark blues just what we are made of.

Jack Baldwin