The Light Blues met the Dark blues in 4 matches on home ground last week starting with the wins by the Women’s Allstars the Men’s seconds. The following Women’s Blues and Men’s Blues games did not go as well.

The day started well with the Cambridge Allstars, who had only been practicing as a team for 5 weeks, trashed Oxford 2nds. Oxford scored only 3 points in the 1st half, so that the half-time score finished at 17 to 3. The Allstars, lead by Coach Blaine Landis, pressed for most of the game. Polderdijk dominated the rebounds, earning 9 points for the home team. The top scorer, guard Nezich, brought home 14 points. The Allstars’ solid passing starkly contrasted with the many dropped passes and steals endured by the Oxford Twos. Final Score: 40-25.

The Lions then came on court to face their Oxford opponents, whom they had lost to by 10 points in a League game at Oxford earlier in the season. The game was close from the tip-off, but without the presence of a coach, Oxford were easily worked up by the intensity of home crowd and the Lions’ play. German centre Steuber was dominant in the low post position and point guard Sullivan provided consistent playmaking. Cambridge took the lead mid-way through the third quarter, and Crawford-Sharpe lead the team by example with intense defence and solid finishing, Captain Charlie Cotton giving vocal support throughout.

After a streak of wins, the Women’s Blues game saw Oxford quickly take the lead. Cambridge fought hard against this more experienced Premier League team. Caroline Walerud took the first 4 points for the Light Blues, after which the Light Blues continued with a strong first half. Kate Beniuk was on fire, scoring 13 points in the second quarter alone. In the second quarter the score was tied at 18-18, so that at half-time the team was hopeful ofcausing an upset.

However the Light Blues started the third quarter slowly, not scoring in the first 7 minutes by which time Oxford reached double the Cambridge score. In the fourth quarter Cambridge again played outstandingly, only losing by 5. Unfortunately, the 3rd quarter dip showed in the final score of 42-73. Overall it was an excellently played game on both sides and it was closely matched except for one quarter.

With Oxford missing a few key players, the men's Light Blues were confident during the warm-up that this year would end Oxford’s Varsity winning streak, especially given Cambridge’s position at the top of the League and coming of a 60 point win over local rivals Anglia Ruskin.

However, a poor start by the Cambridge Blues meant Oxford went 8-0 up within the first few minutes. There followed inspired spells of greatness by Cambridge, led by American Yearwood and German Klee. The intensity and execution was second to none.

Cambridge fought well and tied Oxford for points over the final 20 minutes. With a final score of 96-63 there was nothing for Cambridge to be ashamed of given the performance. Cambridge will continue the season striving for wins to secure the League Title and promotion. Then they will look to regroup for next year’s Varsity Game.

 

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