II’s to IV’s Varsity

en310 | Saturday, November 24th, 2012

The colour of Light Blue is flying high right now after an absolutely storming display of cross country running from Cambridge. After many years of Oxford dominance in the lower races, it was about time that Cambridge stepped up to the plate and really showed their true form.

The day started on a less than perfect note with former Cambridge Blues runner Rose Penfold leading home a very strong Oxford Ladies 2nds team to a 1-2-3 and thereby what can only be described as a fine victory. We’re still in discussions with her as to whether she wants to count as a light blue for this race or not…

The Women’s Thirds was a much better story however. Cambridge secured a solid win with Madeleine Geddes-Barton notching up a solid first place, followed by Annabel Shepherd-Barron in a strong third. Cambridge colours followed in quick succession to confirm the outcome; Cambridge won 105-239.

The men’s affair in the Seconds’ and Thirds’ team matches was very exciting with Cambridge snatching close wins in both. Tom Watkins led from the start in the Seconds’ race, with James Chettle, Matt Grant and Jon Cook bringing in a solid first four out of first five home. Will Bowers and Josh Carr crossed the line not too long after wrapping up victory; Cambridge won 35-43.

The men’s Thirds was hotly contested with no clear winner seen until the dying seconds. The first four from each team were on equal pegging and so the scores were tied at 18-18. Gutsy running from James Hoad, Lorcan Murphy and Doug Morton in 9th 10th and 11th ensured a Cambridge victory of 37-43 and a double men’s 2nd and 3rd team victory over Oxford that has not been seen since November 2006.

The last race of the day was a huge mob match taking place for the men’s Fourths. 33 men from Cambridge versus 18 from Oxford formed a massive field. Cambridge dominated the higher order, and stormed to a fantastic victory of 158-451 to round off the day’s events.

A fantastic day for any spectator, from Cambridge, or the other place, as closely fought racing was seen from both sides. Congratulations to Oxford for their victory in the women’s Seconds and for bringing such a strong opposition against us this year, and congratulations to Cambridge for winning this initial stage of Varsity 4-1 and hence reclaiming the overall trophy from Oxford for the first time since 2006. The conclusion of this year’s Varsity Cross Country, the Blues races on Wimbledon Common are this Saturday. The anticipation is buzzing…