After three intense terms, nobody can begrudge the majority of Cambridge students using the summer vacation to recover whatever sanity they can, whether that involved curling up on the sofa and having a Netflix binge session or spending days not moving from a sunlounger in some far-flung destination. But for some of Cambridge's sporting stars, the end of May Week does not herald a chance to kick back and relax. Indeed, as a recent video released by Cambridge Sport explained, “when term stops, our sports teams don't”.

For some, this means continuing with their training regimes to ensure they remain able to perform at their peak, while for others the competitions are just getting started. So, with all this in mind, Varsity has trawled through all the big news to bring you some of the sporting stories that may have gone unnoticed during Cambridge's three-month break. 

Canoeing

In June, members of the Cambridge University Canoe Club (CUCC) faced off against their Oxford rivals in the marathon and canoe polo Varsity events. The men’s four-mile marathon course along the Cam was won by Sam Plummer of Cambridge, though the team failed to register a victory, thanks – in some small part – to a marauding swan, while the women’s race was also won by the Dark Blues.

In the canoe polo, the women lost an intense game 5-4 when Oxford grabbed victory with a thrilling golden goal, but there was some success for the Light Blues: in the men’s canoe polo match, a hat-trick from Nathan Hammond secured Cambridge a 6-2 win.

Cricket

In July, Cambridge University Cricket Club (CUCC) faced off against their Oxford rivals (OUCC) at The Parks ground in Oxford for the four-day Varsity match. CUCC lost the toss and were forced to bowl for the whole of the first day, managing to reign in OUCC’s impressive start with the bat. However, the Light Blues’ failure to record a score above 200 saw Oxford ultimately declare with a lead of 401 after their second innings, and CUCC were required to bat out a session and a day to secure the draw. And this was a task that Cambridge came agonising close to fulfilling: their final man was dismissed with just five minutes left in the match.

Dancesport

Cambridge University Dancesport Team (CUDT) announced the confirmation of Dancesport being granted Discretionary Full Blue status for both male and female members of the team. This has been a long time coming for male members of the CUDT, with their female counterparts having received such recognition in 2013.

Hockey

In September, Cambridge University Men’s first team kicked off their season in the Premier A League with an away match against newly-promoted Letchworth but fell afoul of a brace from Letchworth striker Hugo Christie to lose 2-0.

Meanwhile, the Cambridge University Women's first team got their Premier Division season off to a winning start, with goals from Sally Bradley, Sophia Padt and Faye Kidd earning the Light Blues a 3-1 home win over Norwich City.

Horse riding

Following the success of its year-old Development Squad, Cambridge University Riding Club (CURC) announced the creation of an official thirds team who will be competing at the British Universities Championships (BUCs).

And in August, the incoming President of CURC, Kate Branley, finished in sixth place in the elite class and in 10th place in the open class at the UK Pony Club National Championship’s dressage competition with her horse, Bunny.

Fencing

In June, seven members of the Cambridge University Fencing Club (CUFC) travelled to Glasgow to compete in the Student 5 Nations tournament, where student teams from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland faced off to discover which Home Nation has the best student fencers. 

While the team events were dominated by England, the individual events also CUFC members excel: 'Rogue Sport of the Week' interviewee Tom Harvey took bronze in the men’s sabre, Hugo Smith took silver in the men’s epee; and Derrick Roberts took gold in the Men’s Foil.

Football

See Peter Rutzler's report of Cambridge University Association Football Club's trip to the World Elite Football Tournament in China.

Karate

In September, a five-strong team from the Cambridge University Karate Club (CUKC) – Cambridge’s most successful sports club thanks to their 10 consecutive Varsity victories – travelled to Chesterfield to compete at the Shotokan Cup, where two Light Blues were unfortunately eliminated at the hands of England team members. Nonetheless, CUKC did return home with some success, as Marcus Ingham managed to clinch a bronze medal.

Lacrosse

In September, members of the Cambridge University Lacrosse Club travelled to Hungary with the Oxbridge All-Stars team for their 2016 Tour, where they faced off against Bulgaria, Croatia and a team from the Israel Premier Lacrosse League (IPPL). The Oxbridge All-Stars reached the Championship final against IPPL where, despite grabbing the early goal and striking the woodwork in the first half, they were beaten by the pre-tournament favourites 5-1.

Open water swimming

In June, an eight-strong Cambridge team competed in the Varsity Open Water swim against Oxford along the 2,112-metre course at Henley. While the Dark Blues of Oxford recorded their third consecutive win in both the men’s and the women’s races, there was good news for those of a Light Blue persuasion, with Cambridge claiming the ‘Mob Match’ race – a swim for those not competing in the Varsity match – by a one-point margin.

And in July, the six-strong Cambridge Varsity Channel Relay team managed to complete the epic swim across the English Channel. Swimming in hour-long turns, they reached French shores in a time of 9 hours and 28 minutes, just 30 minutes behind their Oxford counterparts. 

Orienteering

In late June, a seven-strong team – with one alumni member making up the numbers – from the Cambridge University Orienteering Club (CUOC) competed at the Harvester Relay around Cleeve Hill in Gloucestershire. CUOC finished the seven-leg race in 13th place, after navigating their way through open grasslands, up the eponymous hill and around a quarry. 

Polo

In July, the Cambridge University Polo Club (CUPC) travelled to Tianjin in China to face off against five of the world’s leading universities at the Metropolitan Intervarsity Polo Tournament. Competing against Oxford, Harvard, Cornell, University of London, and Skidmore College, CUPC registered one win and two losses but finished in fifth place overall.

Powerlifting

In July, Cambridge University Powerlifting Club’s (CUPLC) men’s team finished second in the IPF Student World Powerlifting Championships, with Salman Khan clinching gold in the 74kg weight class and Frank Sanders claiming bronze in the 120kg class. 

And in August, CUPLC’s Suzanne Goulder competed at the Great Britain Powerlifting Federation’s All-England competition in August and, in almost unprecedented fashion, broke records in all three movements – the squat, the bench press and the deadlift – to claim her Half-Blue.

Rowing

In July, crews from the Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club competed at the European Universities Games in Zagreb, Croatia. The VIII managed to reach the semi-final by clocking the second-fastest time across the two heats but were unable to make the final. But there was some success for the Light Blues: two coxless pairs reached the final of their event where Cambridge claimed both a gold and a bronze medal.

Sailing

In late June, Cambridge University men’s sailing team defeated their Oxford rivals 4-0 at the 99th Varsity Match in Hampshire, with Cambridge University’s ladies’ team also prevailing over their Dark Blue counterparts 4-3.

Varsity is looking to expand its coverage of Cambridge sport this year. If you would like to either contribute or provide information for a match report, or some other news about your sport, please email sport@varsity.co.uk