This week saw the highlight of the college football calendar: The Cuppers final. In a nervy and scrappy fixture, it was St John’s Captain Duncan Drysdale who had the honour of lifting the coveted trophy following a 3-1 extra time win over a plucky Pembroke side. The result means Pembroke have now lost back-to-back Cuppers finals in extra-time, and are still yet to win the cup. A Friday the 13th to forget for them.

However, while these two were gallivanting around Grange Road on Friday night, eight other colleges were preparing for a smattering of Valentine’s weekend fixtures, with two taking place in the Premier League, and another two in the Second Division.

It would not be wide of the mark to say that Lent term has seen some very surprising changes at the top of the Premier League. You would not have been derided for thinking that the league was Jesus’ or John’s for the taking, but the likes of Selwyn, Pembroke and of course Downing just wouldn’t go away. The latter is now in pole position to be crowned to be champions after another victory this weekend. They recorded a 3-0 win over St Catharine’s, who as a result have been relegated from the top flight. A relatively foregone conclusion for most of the campaign, St Catz will want to forget this year in a hurry. Elsewhere, Selwyn bounced back from their defeat at Fitz last week to keep themselves within striking distance of Downing, whilst dealing a serious blow to Jesus’s hopes for silverware, with a 1-0 victory.

In Division Two, Churchill’s superior finishing was enough to give them a 2-0 win over Plate finalists Emma, and they now look primed to win promotion, moving three points clear. In the only other fixture to take place over the weekend, Girton ensured they remain in touching distance of the promotion places, overcoming a Clare side who are now in serious peril.

 

PREMIER LEAGUE

 

Selwyn 1-0 Jesus

Selwyn: Hawes

Jesus seem to be in freefall having recorded a third straight defeat in all competitions, this time at the hands of Selwyn. Having been widely tipped for a cup and league double, it has all fallen apart this term for them. In a well matched fixture, particularly in the first period and the opening 20 minutes of the second half, it would take only one goal to separate the sides, which came thanks to a low drilled effort from Dave Hawes midway through the first half. Despite Jesus pressing for an equaliser in the latter stages of the game, Selwyn held out for a valuable three points. The win sees them move up to second, ensuring they remain three points behind league leaders Downing, who they face next week in what is now a massive title decider. Jesus remain in fifth, and despite their game in hand over the sides above them, it looks like their season is virtually over.

That said, the way this season has gone, you just can’t tell.

 

St Catharine’s 0-3 Downing

Downing: Churcher (x2 pens), Fitton

Despite a valiant effort, St Catharine’s were relegated over the weekend with a game to spare following defeat against Downing. This clash between the top and bottom ranked sides produced no surprises in the end, although Downing never really got out of second gear. Goals from two penalties, both converted by Churcher, and one from Fitton, were enough to see the league leaders maintain their advantage at the top, whilst ensuring that the title is firmly in their hands. Nevertheless, their remaining fixtures are hardly straightforward. They face a reinvigorated Gonville & Caius side who continue to rack up the wins on the last day of the season, but before that, they face a huge title decider against Selwyn. That game, if this reporter's maths are correct, will see them secure the title if they can get all three points. Downing last won the league in 2012, and the three year wait without a title could nearly be over.

 

Team	Games Played	Goal Difference	Points
DOWNING	7	+10	19
SELWYN	7	+10	16
PEMBROKE	7	+9	13
CAIUS	7	+5	13
ST JOHN’S	7	+4	13
JESUS	6	+9	12
FITZWILLIAM	6	+1	6
TRINITY HALL	5	-3	4
KING’S	5	-15	0
ST CATHARINE’S	8	-27	0 (R)

 

DIVISION  TWO

 

Churchill 2-0 Emma

Churchill: Harry Holt (x2)

 

Girton 3-1 Clare

Girton:  Hicks (x2) Almond

 

Team	Games Played	Goal Difference	Points
CHURCHILL	7	+11	19
GIRTON	8	+11	16
QUEENS’	7	+9	13
DARWIN	6	+7	13
TRINITY	6	+1	10
EMMA	7	0	7
HOMERTON	7	-8	7
LONG ROAD	7	-6	6
CHRIST’S	7	-9	6
CLARE	6	-16	0