Cambridge victorious in 141st Varsity Athletics Match

Oxford just can’t keep up

141st atheltics Cambridge Oxford Sport Varsity

Whitewash. Cambridge trash Ox***d  4-0.

On Saturday, CUAC stormed to a comprehensive victory over their dark blue rivals at the Wilberforce Road track. Both Men’s and Women’s Blues, together with the Alverstones and Alligators, all emerged victorious. It wasn’t even close – the other place barely showed up.

Men’s Blues: Cambridge 118 Oxford 94

Women’s Blues: Cambridge 114 Oxford 86

Men’s 2nd team: Alverstones 110 Centipedes 102

Women’s 2nd team: Alligators 113 Millipedes 87

Embarrassing stuff. Try and make it a contest next year Oxford.

The signs were there early on as hammer throwers Michael Painter and Tom Parker absolutely smashed their dark blue counterparts with monster throws of 63.88m and 57.26m respectively to Oxford’s measly best effort of 27.71m.

Then came the most exhilarating, tense and euphoric race most spectators had ever, and will ever, see – the Men’s Blues 800m. Billy Pinder raised his game to front run his way to victory in a blistering time of 1:53.07, holding off Louis Rawlings, Oxford’s golden boy. Epic.

Pinder holds off Oxford’s Rawlings to take the 800m on the line

But Cambridge weren’t done yet. Women’s Captain Emma Cullen smashed her PB and the match record to win the 100m in 11.95s (?!?%&*) before Will Morris, CUAC Honorary Secretary, pulled off an outrageous dip to take the men’s 100m in 10.91s, Clayton Gillespie not far behind in 10.99s.

The performances just kept on coming and coming. In a true story of redemption, Barney Walker, having cruelly fallen short last year, triumphed over his Oxonian nemesis George Gundle to take the 400m crown in a PB time of 48.72s.

Inspirational leadership was on display from Josh Carr, Hare and Hounds Captain, who won the 1500m in imperious fashion, clocking 3:50.25, before Emmy Shearer cruised to victory in the 5000m, with both Alligators finishing before the second Oxford blue! Total domination.

Without much Oxford competition, Cambridge took to competing amongst themselves: Alice Kaye and Emma Cullen pushed each other to the line in the 200m in a race which saw both break the match record, with Kaye taking the win in 24.30s.

Where are Oxford?

With all teams mathematically out of sight of their Oxford rivals before the last event, Cambridge finally rubbed salt in the wounds of their dark blue competitors by winning 3 out of 4 of the relays.

The presentation of medals and trophies by the University Vice-Chancellor and Jeremy Barton, CUAC President 1986, ended in an outburst of euphoria and champagne as the Men’s Blues Captains Ed Hezlet and James (Bruce) Brooks led the formidable CUAC team on a victory lap.

Victory tastes sweet

The hard work, the early starts, the hours of training – it had all paid off. And in glorious fashion. The Men’s Blues regained their title, the Women’s Blues and Alligators both won for a third consecutive year, and the Alverstones emerged victorious for a ninth successive time!

In short, CUAC did the business on the track and smashed the (non-existent) dark blue competition. Oxford had been obliterated. Mission accomplished. GDBO.

For a full list of results, click here.