Cambridge Men take victory but Oxford outrace the women at the Varsity Cross Country 2007
By James Kelly
As alarm clocks sounded across Cambridge at dawn on Saturday, December 1st, 14 students arose with the same thought: that triumph over Oxford in the 117th Varsity Match would be a thrilling way to finish the Michaelmas term and to avenge Oxford's 4-1 victory in the IInds-IVths Match. When they arrived at Wimbledon Common and prepared for the customary team photographs, they shared a second thought: that the swirling winds and the heavily-waterlogged Varsity course would ensure that the race was a true cross-country effort, a test of courage, determination and resilience as much as a test of training and preparation.
The athletes were joined by injured Club Captain Andy Duncan and a horde of loyal supporters who travelled from across Europe to bear witness to the event. Duncan threw his considerable energies into boosting the confidence of his charges while the brilliant supporters -- including a Womble -- showed stamina worthy of the Blues themselves as many completed the 4-mile Supporters Race before lining the course and appearing at every twist and turn to spur on the Light Blues.
Alas, the Supporters Race was won by Oxford, and the result unfortunately foretold the result of the 32nd running of the 4-mile women's race. The resilience of the women was tested from the outset, from even before former CUH&H Captain and current GB International Andy Baddeley started the race. Depleted by two injuries and an international call-up, the women were forced to draft in three reserves for the race. When one, Girton fresher Stella Deakin, arrived shortly before the race was to start due to navigation and traffic problems, the sense of concern understandably increased. Given the course conditions and the superb strength of the Oxford opposition, it was clear that the women were facing a steep uphill task.
But they refused to let circumstances dictate performance. As the starting gun fired, the Cambridge women stormed to the front of the pack, determined to run Oxford as competitively as possible. Last year's champion Polly Keen (New Hall) led as the racers reached the water jump, but her challenge was effectively scuppered by a tumble in the stream that brought about considerable knee pain.
Gradually the strength and experience of the Oxford ladies showed, and the six Oxonians stretched away from all but one of their Cantabrigian counterparts. Anna Anderson (Girton) was determined to prevent a Dark Blue whitewash, and it was to great acclaim that she emerged from The Butts in second place, eventually crossing the line in 24:34 and trailing only Oxford's Courtney Birch. Anderson's run was a remarkable effort for her first encounter with the Common, and more than merited the Full Blue that she was awarded by Women's Captain Harriet Owles.
Owles, a late replacement herself, formed part of the Cambridge pack that battled gamely against the course. Laura Spence (Wolfson) paced herself well and led home the quintet of Half Blues in 25:39, followed home by Queen Cheetah.and the first reserve to be called in - Angharad Porteous (Jesus, 26:16), Keen (26:52), Owles (Selwyn, 27:18) and Deakin (27:50), who also suffered a bath in the water jump. Oxford won the match by a score of 13-29 to avenge last year's Light Blue victory, but the youth of the Cambridge team and the strength that can be drafted back in suggests that future encounters may not go the way of the Dark Blues.
It therefore befell the men to restore Cantab pride. With the all-time series tied 58-58, the race had added historical importance. Armed with one of its stronger teams in recent years, Cambridge was confident that it could complete the 7.5 miles faster than its Oxford counterparts.
The field set off and Paolo Natali (Christ's), James Kelly (Jesus) and Owain Bristow (Queens') immediately hit the front. Natali apparently decided that the conditions were a bit too warm for his liking, however, and went swimming in the water jump as well! Fortunately he emerged wet but unscathed in his quest to defend his title.
As the athletes left the water behind, the race split into three packs. The Cambridge trio were joined at the front by Ian Kimpton, Richard Franzese and David Bruce, while Matts Armstrong (Trinity Hall), Grant (Queens') and Clark (Homerton) battled Nick Howarth and Joe Mercer. David Yu (Trinity) and Scott Knackstedt (Downing) headed the third pack, which contained Oxford's final scorers.
The pace was relentless in spite of the slippery conditions, but a decisive break from Natali after 20 minutes saw the Italian win classily in 39:06. He was followed home by Kimpton, who put in an inspired run to keep Oxford in contention. However, when Kelly (39:25) and Bristow (39:29) crossed the line in 3rd and 4th positions, Cantab hopes were raised. And when Armstrong (40:01), Grant (40:46) and Clark (40:54) finished 7th, 8th and 9th after thoroughly breaking Mercer and Howarth, the day was Light Blue in colour. Yu (41:40) arrived in 12th position and bumped Oxford's final scorer to ensure that Cambridge's margin of victory was even greater, while a commendable effort from Knackstedt (43:03) in the longest cross-country race of his career brought him home in 15th place.
Champagne corks popped as Cambridge's 32-47 victory was announced, and Captain Duncan responded by awarding Full Blues to Natali, Kelly, Bristow, Armstrong, Grant and Clark, and Half Blues to Yu and Knackstedt. The result restored Cambridge's lead in the all-time series and set up an enticing rematch with the long-time rivals at the BUSA Championships in February.