Sunday 4th November, Away
MEN
83 - Cambridge
108 - Oxford

WOMEN
106 - Cambridge
84 - Oxford

For most students, the prospect of representing Cambridge in a Varsity match will remain a distant dream; but for the team of intrepid freshers who ventured to the Dark Land last Sunday, that dream became a reality. With poor conditions affecting all events and a chill mist in the dank Oxford air, the stage was set for the opening skirmish of this season’s Varsity athletics warfare.

The day began well for the Light Blues, with a dominant display in the Hammer competition. Both Michael Carson and David Twigg threw further than their opponents combined, and Georgina Howe completed the first half of her Hammer/Discus double.

The competition gives new athletes an early opportunity to compete, but also for experienced runners to demonstrate their prowess. Alice Kaye was in the latter category. After her six-second winning margin in the 400m Hurdles (the first track event of the day), the Corpus fresher would go on to complete an unprecedented quintuple of victories, adding the 100m, 200m and both relays. It is safe to say the future of women’s sprinting in Cambridge is in safe hands.

The same can be said for women’s middle distance running. Cambridge dominated this area, with first and second places in the 800m, 1500m and 3000m. Highlights included Alison Greggor’s 3000m match record of 9:53, a whole minute and a half ahead of the nearest Oxford competitor. Hanna Tarver also set two new match records in the 400m and 800m. She went on to contribute to the match record 4x400m relay team in the final event, rounding off a successful and imperious performance by the Light Blue ladies. Out of the day’s ten track events, Oxford won only one, such was the level of talent on display from Cambridge.

As the men’s match developed throughout the day, it became clear that it would be a much closer affair. Despite the early Hammer victory, the Cambridge men were unable to carry the momentum into the early track events. Oxford capitalised on some unfortunate injuries, most notably as Joel Daramola ruptured his hamstring en route to what would have been certain victory in the 100m. Although he heroically limped across the line, he was unable to race in the 200m and relays.With their backs against the Dark Blue wall, Cambridge rallied themselves.

The 800m duo Lewis Lloyd and Zac Howe fought for a one-two finish. New pole vault star Quentin Gouil demonstrated his superiority with a 4.05m Blues-height clearance in his University debut: twice as high as one Oxford competitor! Matthew Walton raised his personal best to 2.70m to complete the Cambridge one-two.

Unfortunately, these performances were not enough to snatch victory. As the sky began to darken, Oxford claimed their final win in the 4x100m relay, claiming enough points to secure the match. The Cambridge men didn’t lose heart and finished with their heads held high: they won the concluding 4x400m relay, arguably the most dramatic event of the day.

With a winter of training ahead, the lessons learned on this crisp November day will prove invaluable motivation. The new faces will add to an already strong Cambridge team for VFEAR, the indoor Varsity match in February. The 139th Varsity match takes place on Saturday 18th May at Wilberforce Road, Cambridge. The men’s Blues will aim to continue their four-year winning streak and the women to recapture the trophy they so narrowly lost last year. The battle continues.