The Season So Far

Two years ago, when Cambridge last hosted the Varsity Match, Oxford lost by the biggest points margin in its 139 year history. It was a team of CUAC greats, but with many of those faces having graduated, the club has needed to develop new talent to keep the Oxford wolves at bay.

Although Cambridge were narrowly outscored in Fresher’s Varsity and VFEAR this year, the Light Blue supporters have a number of reasons to believe their unbeaten streak will continue on May 18th.

Firstly, Cambridge are demonstrating that they are able to peak at the right time. They have enjoyed strong performances in the recent BUCS Championships, with 12 finalists across all events, 9 of which were in middle and long distance races. Expect this to be an area of light blue superiority next week.

Secondly, the format favours Cambridge. Whereas VFEAR only consisted of a handful of relay events, the Varsity Match has 33 individual events and relays, including some that are rarely seen in elite competitions (200m Hurdles and Mile). With superior strength in depth and a greater athlete base, CUAC will always be stronger with this more arduous arrangement.

Finally, we are at home. With hundreds of Cambridge supporters expected, Wilberforce Road will be transformed into a cauldron of noise. Expect this to raise Light Blue performances to another level, and to swing the close events in our favour.

 

Ones to Watch

Men’s 100m (1330): The headline race will showcase the emerging CUAC sprint sensation Tom Neill. After speeding to a wind assisted 10.8s last weekend, he’ll be looking to match it legally on Saturday and pick up a Varsity winner’s medal in the process.

Men’s Pole Vault (1330): Cambridge crushed Oxford in this event indoors, even with one of our competitors not clearing a height! Saturday will be no different, with the strongest ever line-up of CUAC vaulting talent. With a little Varsity magic, we could see Quentin Gouil, Freddie Bunbury and Zaamin Hussain all clear Blues heights.   

Women’s 100m, 200m, 400m (1330, 1540, 1440): Corpus Fresher Alice Kaye will look to build on her fine early season form as her developing rivalry with Oxford’s Nadine Prill continues. Expect close races in all three races, with the head to head standing at 2-1 to Nadine.

Women’s High Jump (1515): Newly crowned BUCS Champion Emma Perkins is clear favourite to collect her 5th Varsity win in the event that she has dominated in recent years. She is bound to come close to breaking the 23 year old match record.

Get Involved

With the Varsity match being held at home at Wilberforce Road Track, every Cambridge student can help create an atmosphere for the Light blues to thrive in, and the Dark Blues to fear. A vocal support makes a real difference for the athletes and has been one of the real distinguishing marks of Cambridge in recent years. The Facebook event and club website www.cuac.org.uk give more information about events times. We hope to see you there