Women’s Blues 9
Oxford 10

Men’s Blues 7
Oxford 6

This Saturday Parkers Piece played host to an absorbing medley of lacrosse as the Cambridge Mixed, Men and Women encountered their Oxford rivals.

The mixed team began the day, and despite a promising start, failed to retain their initial lead. However, effective teamwork, combined with commendable individual performances from Kate Jefferies and the captain Mark Jobson, prevented Oxford from running away with the second half. The final score of 6-3 highlights a significant improvement on previous meetings with the Dark Blues.

The Cambridge 2nd Women’s team (‘Kingfishers’) then took to the pitch determined to secure a consecutive Varsity victory. This was reflected immediately by a goal in the opening five minutes, which successfully boosted Cambridge’s confidence and rattled the Oxford defence. Cambridge augmented their lead, with goals from George Rose and Rosie Garvey, forcing Oxford to call a time out. The Dark Blues failed to return with any renewed tactical play that could disconcert Cambridge, who with persistent defending and unrelenting drives on goal brought the score up to 6-0. Josie Baum’s yellow-card for dangerous tackling marked the conclusion of an exhilarating first half.

Any Oxford resurgence proved to be transitory as a result of consistently strong goal-keeping from Lara Moffat. Cambridge started to look unstoppable, creating some spectacular midfield transitions which fed into rapid shots on goal. The final whistle secured the Kingfishers’ a deserved 11-0 win; a fitting end to a highly successful season. Most valuable player was awarded to Charlotte Yonge in accolade of her fast midfield runs and committed pressure in defence.

In contrast to the Kingfishers’, the blues match culminated in a nail-bitingly close finish. Oxford looked set to avenge the defeat of their second team, immediately pressuring the Cambridge defence and scoring the first goal. Cambridge bounced back with a fast break from Kate Morland securing the equaliser. Cambridge continued to battle against the Oxford defence, creating several shots on goal which were intercepted by the seemingly impassable Dark Blues’ goalkeeper. Oxford then converted an expeditious break into a 2-1 lead which was succeeded swiftly by a second straight from the draw.

However the Light Blues fighting spirit was displayed by their attacking drives towards goal, although to their evident frustration this did not alter the score. A rapid turnover from a long Oxford clear upped their lead to 4-1, but Cambridge showed that the match was still in their grasp with goals from Tanya Glanville-Wallis and Liz Morris leaving Cambridge just one goal behind. Two further Oxford goals seemed to spur Cambridge on and some fantastic midfield stickwork by Ros Lloyd set up a successful shot for Morris. Morland then continued the trend, driving to goal after receiving an admirably long goalkeeper’s clear from Alex Carnegie-Brown. This was topped off by Charlie Hill, who magnificently intercepted an Oxford clear to score another. Persephone Bridgman Baker pulled off a near impossible angle after a practised feed from Lloyd to score the equaliser whilst an ecstatic crowd were forced to watch nervously in the knowledge that the final whistle was imminent. To the dismay of the Cambridge supporters Oxford then scored to lead 9-8, but their hopes were promptly uplifted by Tess Khoo’s equalising goal from a free position. The last minutes were an exhilaratingly tense struggle, but a last gasp goal from Oxford left Cambridge exhausted and disappointed.

Cambridge’s men were ready to regain the title after last years loss. Cambridge dominated possession early, however, a lapse in concentration meant their first goal was disqualified due to an offside violation. Oxford responded to take first blood. Cambridge countered by putting several more past the post including a hat trick by new man David Haines who capitalised on some sloppy work from the Oxford keeper and a spectacular diving shot between the goalie’s legs.

The second half saw Oxford keep more possession but their offence was efficiently contained by the Cambridge defence. A strong final quarter by Oxford brought them back into the match. With three minutes to go and the score at 7-4, Cambridge were caught off guard with back to back goals from Oxford in successive minutes setting up an incredibly tense final minute. Oxford won the ball and charged into attack; however the Cambridge defence managed to keep them out and deflected a shot on the buzzer to claim the Varsity match.

Emily Knight