The Varsity Field Events And Relays event (VFEAR) is the second Varsity fixture of the athletics calendar, and the last opportunity for Oxford and Cambridge to go head to head before the Varsity match in Easter term. While Cambridge have won easily in previous years, 2012 saw a much closer contest.

The men's track featured some controversy as last year's Cambridge captain Mark Dyble suited up for Oxford in the 60M. Amin Ahmadnia of Cambridge was able to beat his former team-mate with a personal best of 7.06 seconds, but he was unable to catch Oxford's flyer Isiah Adekanmbi, the 60M match record holder. Elsewhere Ross Elsby made a triumphant return to the hurdles, leading Cambridge home with a time of 8.83 seconds. A strong showing by the 1500m team, who won by an overall margin of 22 seconds, was not enough, however, as Oxford took the track 4-2. Cambridge will not be downhearted however, as were it not for a twisted knee in the 4x200m, the score might have been 3-3.

In the men's field, Sam Hyatt-Twynam led the way with a strong 3.80m to win the pole-vault as Cambridge won the event by 20cm. Matt Houlden was impressive as ever, easing to wins in the long and triple jump, while David Szabo's 51.40m in the Javelin gave Cambridge an unlikely victory. While Cambridge were missing their top three hammer throwers, for the others heavy throwers it was business as usual, as Emmanuel Akinluyi won the discus and Toby Haseler took the shot to give Cambridge a 6-2 victory.

In the women's track, Helena Wace anchored the CUAC Women's 200m relay team to a close victory, while the 400m relay team of Emily Craven, Lizzie Thompson, Taj Tomouk and Rose Penfold won by half a second in one of the most exciting races of the day. Women's captain Rose Penfold was in impressive form, winning again as part of the 800m relay team by 20 seconds, leaving the final result 3-3 as Cambridge retained the track trophy.

In the field events Lizzie Thompson stood out, winning the triple jump and as part of a dominating high jump squad behind winner Lucy Crossman. Helen Broadbridge threw 38.01 in the discus, a new match record, and also lead Cambridge to victory in the hammer, but Oxford's squad was too strong, building on a record breaking pole vault squad to take the field 5-3.

While it was not the devastating victory of yesteryear, Cambridge will look to improve at the BUCS indoors next week as the focus moves to Varsity