Annual Review 2007 - 2008 - Cambridge University Sport ...

A word from theVice-ChancellorWelcome to the University of CambridgeSports Review of 2007 – 2008I am proud to be able to introduce this overviewof another successful sporting year forCambridge students.2008 was a year when the sporting success ofTeam GB lifted all our spirits. It was also a yearwhen the Olympics gave us all a glimpse of thehard work and dedication it takes to be at the topof any sport. This is certainly the case for theexcellent scholar sports men and women ofCambridge, who so often manage to combinesuccess in their chosen sport with success inacademia, for which we are all immensely proud.I wish you another successful sporting year ahead.Professor Alison RichardVice-ChancellorAnnual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Chairman’s ReviewAs Chair of the Sports Syndicate of theUniversity for 2007/08, I am delighted withthe level of participation and achievement insport by Cambridge students which this AnnualReview demonstrates.The opportunity to participate in sport at alllevels is a significant part of the superbportfolio of extra-curricular activities whichcomplement the academic tradition inattracting excellent students to Cambridge.Sport also has an important role to play inestablishing healthy lifestyles which, amongother things, help students to combat the stress,depression and anxiety which sometimesthreaten to undermine academic performancein a high-achieving and highly competitiveenvironment such as a University.There is enormous strength in depth inCambridge sport, with a surprising level ofparticipation and competition at College level,particularly in traditional team sports such asrowing, rugby and football, and a wide range ofsports, old and new, for teams and individuals,available at University level and in competitionthrough BUCS.There is also the opportunity toachieve world-class sporting excellence, forexample by representing the University in highprofile events such as the Boat Race.In 2008, at the Beijing Olympics, 11 currentstudents and alumni joined an elite group ofCambridge Olympians, representing Team GB inrowing, cycling, athletics and fencing. Betweenthem they brought home one Gold, four Silver andone Bronze medals.This is an outstandingachievement for a single University, which we haveevery reason to hope will be matched and evenimproved upon in the 2012 Olympics in London.In the meantime, the University continues todevelop its plans for a new sports centre on theWest Cambridge site, a facility which is badlyneeded to support training and competition bynumerous clubs and individuals, and tocomplement the existing College and Universityprovision.The most pressing and universal needis for a multi-purpose sports hall, which Phase I ofthe project is designed to provide.The Sports Syndicate looks forward to anotheryear of supporting student participation andsuccess in a wide variety of sporting activities aspart of the all-round excellence of theirexperience of and achievements in Cambridge.Debbie Lowther2 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Director’s editorialThere can be few moments in the history of theOlympic movement that have been so eagerlyanticipated as the opening of the 2008 BeijingOlympiad. For over two decades the internationalsporting community has questioned the conceptof hosting a major sporting event in China.Intrigued by China’s rapidly changing politicaland economic status, their ambivalence to worldopinion and the challenges that such an eventwould make on what was, until relatively recenttimes, a closed society, the world waited, watchedand was amazed. For those of us who wereprivileged to be in Beijing during the Gamesthere is little doubt that the Chinese provided aspectacular and iconic Games. Financially beyondall but a few wealthy or over ambitious cities,Beijing arguably represents the last of its genre.From the moment one landed at the new BeijingInternational Airport and was driven through theflower bedecked and flag-dressed streets ofBeijing, passing the magnificent Birds NestStadium and the Aquatic Centre, alongincreasingly car-free streets, one realised that thiswould be the Games of all Games. For theChinese the event represented a magnificentachievement. Although heavily stage-managed,media-managed and above all people-managed,they provided a games for the world that metand surpassed all previous spectaculars.The opening ceremony offered the opportunityto witness the Chinese political leadershipshowcase their achievements. Not onlydemonstrating with confidence theirnewly found economic power but theirleading role as one of the world’ssuper-powers.For my part it was the highlight of the2007-08 academic year. I had the honourof representing the Vice-Chancellor at thetelevised Pre-Olympic Games Conference,entitled ‘What makes a Champion?’ Focussing onuniversities and education and the environmentnecessary to achieve success in a range ofdisciplines. Conference delegates includedOlympic Champions, Nobel Prize Winners, worldacclaimed classical musicians and probably themost popular man in China, Mr. Jackie Chan.Although not impacting on the day-to-day workof the various University Sports Clubs it is clearfrom the enclosed articles that preparation forthe Olympic Games has played a significant rolein a number of our students’ lives for severalyears.We should celebrate the achievement of allthose from the University who were selected torepresent their country in Beijing andcongratulate all our medal winners.TheUniversity is very proud of their achievements.For many it will be the pinnacle of their sportingcareers, for others a stepping stone to otherGames and hopefully medals at the London 2012Olympics. For Clubs and University alike thebuild-up to London 2012 will bring opportunitiesand challenges as British sport changes to meetits challenges. Hopefully the success of ourstudents and alumni in Beijing will dispel theidea that Cambridge no longer cherishesexcellence in sport.For its part, the University has already beenselected as an accredited training centre forathletics, fencing and archery and is anticipatinga number of national teams will visit theUniversity and Cambridge City as part of theirpreparations for 2012.The University Sports Clubsthemselves have had another extremelysuccessful year and will all be turning theirthoughts to 2012 and to the role that they mightplay in what will be a significant historic occasionfor British sport.It is therefore very appropriate that at this timewe welcome our first sponsor and partner ofthe Cambridge University Annual Sports Reviewto our pages; we are very grateful for npower’ssupport and we look forward to launching anumber of joint initiatives to develop sportat Cambridge.A.D.LemonsDirector of Physical EducationCambridge3

Olympic ReviewCambridge Graduates Shine at the Beijing OlympicsMore than 30 countries around the world arelagging behind the University of Cambridge onthe Olympics medal front.Out of the ten Team GB athletes who either studyat or have graduated from Cambridge, theUniversity racked up a stunning tally of one Goldmedal, four Silver and one Bronze.In fact, Cambridge's Trinity Hall alone can layclaim to a better haul of Olympic medals thanIndia, Portugal and South Africa – to name justa few – after graduates Emma Pooley andTom James claimed Silver and Gold respectivelyin Beijing.However,Tom James' fantastic Gold as part ofthe Men's Coxless Fours was something of adouble-edged sword for Trinity Hall's senior tutor,Nick Bampos.The Australian had to endure the sight of Tomand his Coxless Fours team overhauling hiscountrymen's boat in a thrilling finale as theylived up to the legendary exploits of Redgraveand Pinsent.As well as James' Gold and Emma Pooley's Silverin the Cycling Time Trial, Cambridge's TomStallard (Jesus College) and Josh West (Gonvilleand Caius) also claimed rowing Silver as part ofthe Men's Eight .Although Annie Vernon (Downing College) andher team mates were inconsolable after losingout in the Women's Quad to China, her Silvermedal was earned in true Olympic fashion afterthe team gave every ounce of effort before beingpipped at the post by the host nation.Wrapping up the medal count for Cambridge isAnna Bebington (Newnham College) who tookBronze in the Double Sculls.Despite not making the winners' podium, theUniversity was also proudly represented byChurchill College Classics student Alex O'Connellin the Fencing Sabre competition, HesterGoodsell (Hughes Hall) in the Double Scull(Lightweight), Sarah Winckless (FitzwilliamCollege) in the Women's Eight and AndyBaddeley (Gonville and Caius) who made it to thefinal of the 1500m.4 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Tony Lemons, Director of Physical Education, said:"Having experienced the highly competitiveatmosphere in the city one can only marvel at thequality of the performances being displayed byall the competitors at the Games. Naturally we areextremely proud of all our students, past andpresent, who have represented their country sowell at these games, and our particularcongratulations must go to those who haveachieved podium positions. It makes one proudto be a small part of the University of Cambridge!"Further Cambridge connections in Beijing havecome via the legendary Chinese Table Tennisplayer Deng Yaping. Regarded as one of thegreatest ever players, Deng won six WorldChampionships and four Olympic Golds. She iscurrently studying for a PhD in Land Economy atJesus College but was in China as Vice Director ofBeijing's Olympic Village.Elsewhere,Trinity Hall staff also had an interest inthe performance of Adam Brown. Son of seniorporter Kim Brown, he took part in the Men's 4x100m Freestyle Relay.TASS 2012 Scholar MattSkelhon, who was mentored and receivedStrength and Conditioning training from theUniversity’s Physical Education Department,through their involvement in TASS (see page 112)won Paralympic Gold in the Rifle Shooting,achieving a perfect score in his heats.Annie Vernon, Emma Pooley, Alex O’Connell,TomJames, Anna Bebington and Sarah Winckless haveall put some of their Beijing experience in writingfor this Annual Review.The Olympic Games: A Registrary’s StoryWill there ever be another Opening Ceremony likethat one? I had the great privilege of representingthe Vice-Chancellor with Professor Ian Leslie inattending the Opening Ceremony of the BeijingOlympics on the 8th August this year.We wereinvited by the Minister for Education Zhou Jie, agreat friend of Cambridge, and were in thecompany of a small and select group of universitypresidents and vice-chancellors from around theworld. Our Chinese hosts were attentive,hospitable to a fault and very excited about theGames – with good reason as it turned out. Frombreakfast in our hotel, hosted by Madam LiuYandong, one of the five State Councillors, asuperb lunch hosted by the Minister and theextraordinary series of breathtaking tableaux atthe Opening Ceremony, the 8th of August was aremarkable day.What do I recall? The extraordinaryBird’s Nest Stadium; the heat and anticipation; therehearsal in the use of the various flags, lights andscarves in the goody bags all spectators received;the precision of the drummers; the ambitious scaleof the episodes celebrating 5000 years of Chinesecivilisation and the athletic and artistic brilliance ofthe lighting of the Torch. Later that weekend wehad hoped to see some tennis but the heat turnedto storms and the matches were rained off by acloudburst. It didn’t matter.We were one small linkin a long chain of Chinese-Cambridge associationthat has an extraordinary history and a future thatis based on over 130 different partnerships fromacross the University. It was a privilege tocontribute to that chain on such an auspicious dayfor our hosts and the world of sport. I can’t wait forLondon 2012!Dr Jonathan NichollsRegistrary

Graduate SchemeInformationA warm welcome to theUniversity of Cambridge Sport Annual ReviewAt RWE npower we’re very aware of the role thatsport can play in maintaining work/life balance sowe’re delighted to be supporting a publicationwhich celebrates sporting achievement atCambridge over the last academic year.RWE npower is proud to be involved with anumber of diverse sports partnerships from highprofile team and tournament sponsorships tocommunity campaigns which support grass rootsdevelopment.Through these partnerships we areworking to help promote sport at every level.We wish you a successful sporting year ahead.Andrew Duff, Chief Executive Officer, RWE npowerCompany Information• RWE npower provides gas, electricity andrelated services to homes and businesses.• Times Top 100 graduate employer 2007 and2008.Times Top 50 where women want to work2007 and 2008.• UK’s brightest energy company• We supply electricity and gas to around6.6 million residential and business customers.• We operate and manage flexible, low-cost coal,oil and gas-fired power stations.• Established the UK's first major offshore windfarm• Developing other innovative energy-relatedtechnologies.• 11,500 employees• 60 sites across the UK• Supply 10% of the electricity used in Englandand Wales,• UK's largest electricity supplier.• As part of the RWE Group, we also offerspecialist services covering every aspect ofowning and operating a power plant, fromconstruction, commissioning, operations andmaintenance to eventual decommissioning.8 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

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Cambridge UniversityAmateur Boxing ClubCambridge University’s association with modern boxingbegan in the 1860shttp://cuabc.org/Captain: David Hyman, Hughes HallSecretary: Taras Gout, EmmanuelSenior Treasurer: Dr Martin Smith, Instituteof AstronomyBlues Awarded 2007-08James Mahan, DarwinLuke Smith, St Edmund’sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08James Gray, GirtonRob Chapman,Trinity HallWill Rees, JesusTaras Gout, EmmanuelTom Land, Gonville & CaiusCambridge University’s association with modernboxing began in the 1860s when twoundergraduates, John Graham Chambers (Trinity)and the Marquis of Queensberry (Magdalene),drew up the ‘Queensberry Rules’ for glovedcontests – and laid the foundations for the sportwe know today.Through the late 1860s and 70s, Queensberry’slightweight, middleweight and heavyweightamateur challenge cups were contested annuallyat the athletics ground at Lilliebridge inMiddlesex and University men were prominentamong the contestants. By the 1870s, clubs werespringing up and in 1881 the Amateur BoxingAssociation was founded.Cambridge University Boxing & Fencing Club wasfounded in 1896, the result of a merger of theKing’s Boxing Club and the private FordhamSchool of Arms, and in March 1897, the firstVarsity Boxing & Fencing Match between the twouniversities took place at the Cambridge CornExchange. In 1912, fencing and boxing split andthe Varsity Boxing Match became a free-standingevent. Apart from suspensions from 1915-1919and 1940-45 owing to world war, the Match hasbeen contested annually to sell-out crowds eversince. In 2007, the historic 100th Match was heldat London’s York Hall – the venue to which itreturns on March 12th 2009.Varsity MatchOxford win, 7-2The 101st Varsity Boxing Match on March 6th2008 saw Oxford take a 7-2 victory over a raw butindustrious Cambridge side at Oxford Town Hall.Highlight for the Light Blues was Darwinpostgrad James Mahan’s spectacular 90-seconddemolition of big light-heavy Neil Robertson – afeat that earned the US Naval Academy graduatethe Hawks’ Club award for Varsity Performance ofthe Year. Mahan’s speed and power were toomuch for Robertson, who took two standingcounts before being floored – finally andpainfully – by a wrecking ball of a body shot.But the night kicked off with two much closercontests.Tall featherweight Tom Land (Gonville &Caius) had a great start against John McCarthy,tapping the Oxford Blue’s claret within secondswith a series of stabbing jabs and dominating thefirst. But left hooks and rights brought McCarthyright back into it in the second round – and half adozen power shots in the final moments of thethird were enough to put a desperately tightbout in the Oxford column.10 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Emma medic Taras Gout faced James Robertsonin the lightweight bout. Again, aggressive boxingbehind a bargepole left hand gave theCambridge man the first round. Gout kept thepressure on, walking Robertson down – but theOxford man showed slick movement underpressure and jolted home just enough sharpcounters through the second and third to pinchanother knife-edge verdict.Trinity Hall welterweight Rob Chapman had hiswork cut out against veteran Oxford CaptainTom Hughes. Hughes threw aggressivecombinations to body and head from the start,shaking Chapman with a left hook.The fast,long-limbed Chapman was always in it, however,and a supreme effort in an action-packed thirdround had a tiring Hughes in desperate trouble,before the final bell rang to give Oxford anotherpoints win.The night was regrettably marred by a bizarretotal of four disqualifications – the fixture’s firstsince 1973. In the light-middleweight contest, anill-fitted gumshield was the culprit. Girton’spromising James Gray made a great showingagainst ABAE University Championships silvermedallist Stuart Garman, showing calm nervesand savvy defence to ride out the Oxfordknockout artist’s explosive attacks. Garman wasforced to regroup and look for Plan B, gettingpicked off with long-range shots as he did so. Inthe second, Garman again went for the stoppage.Determined boxing kept Gray in the game, butnasal damage made it a struggle for him to keephis mouthpiece.When it fell out a fifth time, latein the final round, the referee had seen enough.Two successive middleweight mauls saw Oxford’sRon Highet disqualified in the final round forholding and wrestling against stocky St Edmundssouthpaw Luke Smith – and then Queens’ AlexTravaskis similarly dismissed against Oxford BlueCarl Walton at the end of the second for hittingafter the bell. In the heavyweight bout, Oxford’s6’8’’ heavyweight Peter Anderson kept stockyJames Wellwood (St Edmunds) pinned on the endof a rapier jab through the first, only for afrustrated Wellwood to get himself thrown out forfoolish use of the head when he finally got toclose quarters.The light-welter bout, however, showed the besttraditions of Varsity boxing. Oxford’s BenShacham, lean and muscled at the 63.5kg limit,met Will Rees (Jesus), whose father had boxed forCambridge in 1968. From the opening bell,Shacham drove Rees to the ropes before openingup with furious hooks, while Rees ducked andweaved and launched back with hardcombination shots, before breaking free to circleand jab. Round two continued at a murderouspace, with the crowd on their feet as a bloodiedShacham and gritty Rees stood toe-to-toe,scoring freely with non-stop punches. It was allup for grabs in the final round, but Shacham’ssheer strength gave him a slender edge to nick amajority decision.A considerably more experienced Cambridgeteam will contest the 102nd Varsity Match atLondon’s York Hall on March 12th.SponsorGlassworks Gym, Cambridge11

Cambridge UniversityAssociation Football ClubCUAFC is the representative level of the University’sfootball system, offering the opportunity for the bestplayers in the University to play at a higher levelwww.cuafc.orgPresident: Dr John Little, St Catharine’sCaptain: Anthony Murphy, Sidney SussexSecretary: William Lalande, Queens’Senior Treasurer: Dr John Little, St Catharine’sBlues Awarded 2007-08James Dean, DarwinChris Turnbull, Christ’sAli Hakimi, DarwinAnthony Murphy, Sidney SussexNick Pantelides, St John’sLuke Pendlebury, HomertonAlex Coleman, Queens’David Mills, St Catharine’sJamie Rutt,TrinityMichael Johnson, JesusMatt Stock, St Catharine’sWilliam Lalande, Queens’Matt Amos, Queens’Mark Baxter, SelwynCUAFC is the representative level of theUniversity’s football system, offering theopportunity for the best players in the Universityto play at a higher level. Throughout the year twoteams, the Blues and Falcons, compete in thenational BUSA leagues. Both sides also play anumber of ‘traditional’ fixtures against sides suchas the Army and Navy representative sides.The high point of the season is undoubtedly theseries of Varsity Matches. At the start of March theFalcons and Kestrels, a third team introduced inLent term, compete against their Oxfordcounterparts.Then in mid-March the Blues matchtakes place, usually at a football league ground.Varsity Match29/03/2008 at Craven Cottage, FulhamCambridge 5 – 3 OxfordCambridge took to the field for the 124th VarsityMatch looking for a third successive victory overtheir Oxford counterparts. Both teams thenproceeded to contribute towards one of the mostentertaining Varsity Matches in recent years and afar cry from the edgy, nervous encounter of theprevious year.Cambridge struck early with a well planned freekickroutine working perfectly. Anthony Murphyrose well at the back post to head back acrossand Matt Stock did the rest from close range.However, Oxford quickly got a foothold in thegame and before long had equalised. For most ofthe rest of the half the game was evenly balanceduntil a long-ball from Anthony Murphy foundMatt Stock and, as the Oxford goalkeeperexperienced a rush of blood to the head, Stockkept his calm, lifting the ball over him and intothe back of the net.The start of the second half was equally frenetic.No sooner had Oxford equalised than Matt Stockproduced a superb finish to complete his hat-trick.The lead would only last for 20 minutes though asOxford pressure finally told as they equalisedthrough a series of deflected passes and shots.Until the 85th minute the scores remained tied asCambridge pushed for victory. Good team playled to a number of chances, Luke Pendleburystruck the bar and William Lalande and Dave Millsalso had good chances. However the breakthrough could not be found and Oxford stillremained a threat with James Dean being forcedinto a number of good saves.However with only minutes to go a poor backpass let Matt Stock in and he coolly slotted theball past the Oxford goalkeeper for his fourth. Hewould then cap his display with a superb solo runbefore crossing for Matt Amos to nod home atthe near post to complete an exhilarating5-3 victory.12 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Other NewsAfter a strong start in BUSA, including acomprehensive 5-0 demolition at Fenners ofLoughborough 3rds, the Blues season slippedaway as injuries began to pile up. Ultimately theBUSA season, which was largely finished byChristmas as the weather played havoc with theschedule, was disappointing. Early thoughts of apossible promotion fell by the wayside as a midtablefinish was achieved.Much the same could be said of the Falcons BUSAcampaign with injuries in the Blues squad leavingthem occasionally over-stretched and with noconsistency in selection. Perhaps unsurprisinglyresults and performances were mixed.Following another successful tour to La Mangabefore Lent Term, both teams put in impressiveperformances in their Varsity build ups againsttraditional opposition.The Blues’ impressive 5-2win away at Corinthian Casuals was a particularhigh point.The confidence showed in the VarsityMatch day results as both turned in impressiveperformances.The Falcons won 1-0 thanks to aGeoff King goal and the Blues recording a 5-3victory thanks to four goals from Matt Stock.Thus the year ended successfully with the club ona high and looking forward to the coming seasonwith a strong base to build on. It is worth notingthe contribution of a number of CUAFC stalwartsfor whom this was their final season. In particularthe contributions of Anthony Murphy, AlexColeman, Dave Mills and Chris Turnbull should benoted. All four had participated in the last threeVarsity Match victories and two had captainedthe club, between them they had collected14 Blues. Additionally James Dean should bethanked for his contributions, first to the Falconsand then also the Blues as goalkeeper andsecretary. James has finished his PhD but hastaken up a teaching post at the university and islooking to continue his involvement in the club.www.sophiepickford.comFinally to William Lalande who improved year-onyear,working his way up from the Falcons andthis year earned a well deserved Blue.SponsorsMerrill Lynch – KitPricewaterhouseCoopers – College League13

Cambridge UniversityWomen’s Association Football ClubFootball is one of the most popular sports for womenat Cambridge University – at present there are twoUniversity teams and 27 college teamshttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/cuwafc/President: Dr John Little, St Catharine’sCaptain: Lisa Grimes, WolfsonSecretary: Rebecca Fisher, St John’sSenior Treasurer: Dr John Little, St Catharine’sBlues Awarded 2007-08Lisa Grimes, WolfsonLisa O’Dea, NewnhamClare Ross,Trinity HallClaire Hollingsworth, NewnhamCatherine Murphy, RobinsonMiriam Toolan, New HallLeesa Haydock, SelwynFelicity Hughes, JesusIne Steenmans, EmmanuelNicola Hoffman, GirtonRebecca Fisher, St John’s14 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008Half Blues Awarded 2007-08Lizzie Richardson , St John’sClare Longden, JesusClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Claudia Comberti, JesusNicola Dutton, St Catharine’sEllie Nalson, JesusAlice Barnes, Lucy CavendishEmma Stones, ChurchillKristina Cammen, ChurchillGrace Parker, RobinsonKristina Fleishmann, FitzwilliamNina Goldman, ClareLiv Hanks, Sidney SussexLindsay Cameron, New HallHemali Patel, FitzwilliamBecky Howe, Gonville & CaiusKate Hadley-Brown, New HallSophie Goodhall, EmmanuelKate Orf, EmmanuelFootball is one of the most popular sports forwomen at Cambridge University – at presentthere are two University teams and 27 collegeteams. The Blues (1st XI) currently play in theEastern Regional Premier Division and competein matches, every Sunday, from the start ofSeptember to the middle of April.The Blues alsocompete in the FA Cup, League Cup and CountyCup.The 2nd team (The Eagles) currently play inMidlands 2B BUSA league and have matchesevery Wednesday during term timeVarsity Match23rd FebruaryIffley Road Football Stadium (Blues),Marston Sports Pitches (Eagles)Blues: Cambridge 1- 1 Oxford (Cambridge win 4-2on penalties)Eagles: Cambridge 3- 0 OxfordA year after the disappointment of losing toOxford in the Varsity Match’s first ever penaltyshoot-out, Cambridge must have feared historywas repeating itself when the whistle blew after120 exhausting minutes of football to signal thatit would come down to spot-kicks again.Thistime, however, there was to be glory after all,goalkeeper Lisa O’Dea saving two of Oxford’sattempts for a well-deserved Cambridge victory.The Light Blues’ determination was evident fromthe start with Nikki Hoffman out-jumpingOxford’s goalkeeper only to head the ball overthe bar ten minutes in. Player of the match LeesaHaydock and captain Lisa Grimes used strengthand height to control the midfield, playing anumber of decisive through balls to wingersMiriam Toolan and Felicity Hughes, whose pacewas a constant threat to the Oxford back four.

However, it was Oxford who went ahead whenCatherine Murphy was adjudged to have fouledthe Oxford winger on the left flank. Oxfordveteran Ann Harvey’s effort was stopped bygoalkeeper Lisa O’Dea, but she was unable tohold on to the ball and after a frantic goalmouth scramble, the ball ended up in the backof the net.Cambridge created a number of chances beforethe break, going excruciatingly close whenHughes almost connected with Rebecca Fisher’scross, but the Dark Blues held firm andCambridge trailed 1-0 going into halftime.Cambridge re-emerged with a reneweddetermination and the start of the second halfsaw increasing pressure on the Oxford goal. Slickpassing moves allowed Light Blue centre backClaire Hollingsworth to send a dangerous crossover Oxford captain Kate Roper’s head into thepath of Hughes, who this time managed toconnect but sent the ball inches wide. Everyonefelt the equaliser was certain to arrive, and whenMurphy’s skill took her round two opponents,drilling a low shot across the goal she was deniedonly by the woodwork. However, striker Fisherarrived in the box to slot the rebound home. 1-1.Game on.Cambridge continued to dominate with strongsecond half displays from full backs Clare Rossand Lizzie Richardson neutralising the Oxfordwingers, and providing further attacking optionsfor the Light Blues, whilst Murphy continued tobe as dangerous and skilful as ever. However, thegoal did not come within the 90 minutes and thegame headed into extra time. Cambridge had anumber of chances throughout extra time andthe winning goal looked likely. Many thought thewinner would surely come when both Grimesand Hollingsworth slid in at the far post trying toconnect with Murphy’s low cross across the goalmouth. Nevertheless, even with the introductionof fresher Clare Longden to the strike force, whichelicited an immediate threat on the Oxford goal,the unwelcome sound of the final whistle meantthe game was to be decided by a penaltyshootout. Cambridge chose to take the first kickand Haydock showed great composure, drillingthe ball into the bottom corner of the goal.Longden scored her kick and all was going welluntil Fisher’s shot straight down the middle wassaved. Cambridge keeper Lisa O’Dea then madean important save to keep Cambridge in thegame, and Grimes scored the 4th putting thepressure back on the Dark Blues. O’Dea stretchedto make another fantastic save, and whenMurphy sent the ball into the bottom corner theLight Blues, and their travelling support went wildwith delight. Despite the game being decidedwith penalty kicks, the better side on the daycame out victorious.Earlier that day the Eagles retained the VarsityTrophy as goals from Kristina Cammen, Liv Hanks,and captain Ellie Nalson handed them anemphatic victory over a determined Oxford sidein front of a vocal away support.Cambridge, although dominating possession,initially struggled with the final delivery.The bestof the early chances fell to Sophie Goodall, whosepersistence found her way through the Oxforddefence before keeper Grace Buchanan pouncedto smother the ball. Furies midfielder EmmaDickinson was a threat throughout, as was trickyOxford captain Ejiro Oviri, whose skill andpossession carved out several openings , perhapsthe best of which was a shot that she herselfdragged wide.An assured display from Cambridge keeper AliceBarnes boosted Cambridge’s confidence, andtheir breakthrough came just before half timewhen Hemali Patel’s shot was tipped around thepost by Buchanan, and Lindsay Cameron’sresulting corner found Cammen at the far postfor the defender to powerfully head home.Cambridge survived a scare when Oviri’s shot hitthe post and rebounded agonisingly across thesix-yard box before Emma Stones was able toclear. Minutes later, the Eagles did double theiradvantage in what was a mirror image of theiropening goal; this time it was Hanks whoseheader met Cameron’s beautifully-flighted cornerafter good work by Nalson on the right wing.Although they continued to threaten down theright-hand side, Oxford found no reply, and it waschiefly the pace of Eagles captain Nalson andsubstitute Kate Orf that caught the eye in theclosing stages. Kate Hadley-Brown held off twofuries defenders to find Nalson in space in thepenalty area, and the captain coolly slotted pastthe keeper to wrap up the victory.Other NewsThe Eagles started the season with a new looksquad, retaining only a handful of last yearsplayers and bringing a new coach (Ed Gascoigne)into the team. Despite playing in a BUSA league(midlands 3B) with many University first teams,we felt ready to better last years third place finish.15

Our season started in the best possible way withan 18-0 victory over ARU 1sts, after which wenever looked back.Our BUSA campaign saw us reach double figurestwice, topping our league with a goal differenceof 55 from 6 games.This success saw us secure aplace in the national BUSA plate competition.Wewere unlucky to get knocked out in the quarterfinals by a strong Loughborough side in a close,hard-fought game, with the final score being 2-0.Despite our achievements in BUSA, the highlightof our season was our varsity victory. A couple ofoutstanding headers and some good defencework saw that we walked away with a deserved3-0 win. Oxford Furies play in the division above,so we hope this win will be a taste of things tocome, as we look forward to being promoted andplaying in the second division next season.The Blues had a very difficult start to the season,losing a string of tough matches whilst strugglingto field a full strength team.The fact that theEastern Region Women’s Football Premier Leaguestarts the football season in late August alwaysmakes for a challenging start to the season withnumerous players on holiday, others havinggraduated. However, once October came we wereable to recruit a number of talented new playersand our team was beginning to take shape onceregular training sessions began. New coach, LeeMcGill made an instant impact and the Blueswere becoming fitter than ever! The season soonpicked up with notable league performancesincluding an away 1-0 victory over high flyingHethersett Athletic and a 3-2 victory at home toBedford Ladies.Our cup campaign also got off to a flying startwith a 4-0 victory over Haverhill in the first roundof the FA cup, and a 3-0 victory over the same teamin the League cup 2nd round. However, NorwichCity ended our FA and League Cup hopes beatingus 4-2 and 3-1 results respectively. However,throughout the rest of the season we proved tobe a very strong team finishing the season in 7thplace, safely in the middle of the table.Our County Cup campaign was also verysuccessful, with a number of comfortablevictories, including a 12-4 thrashing of West Lynn.We eventually made it to the final against newlypromoted Combination League side, CambridgeCity Ladies. It was a tough match and City usedtheir combination league experience to goodeffect, proving too strong for the university,winning 3-1. However, we were still able to winsome silverware this season with a varsity victoryin Oxford.The team has gone from strength tostrength this year and hopefully this is indicativeof things to come next season!Ellie Nalson and Lisa Grimes (Eagles andBlues captains)SponsorPricewaterhouse Coopers – Kit16 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityAthletic ClubCambridge University Athletic Club (CUAC) was the firstuniversity-wide athletic club to be established in the UKwww.srcf.ucam.org/cuac/President: Humphrey Waddington, St Catharine’sMen’s Captain: Will Rice, King’sWomen’s Captain: Lucy Spray, NewnhamSecretary: Jon Cook, JesusSenior Treasurer: Chris Pratt, FitzwilliamBlues Awarded 2007-08Charlotte Roach,TrinityHelen Rollins, Corpus ChristiFlorence Cavalli, DarwinSarah Williams, King’sEmma Perkins, NewnhamLucy Spray, NewnhamBen Richardson, ChurchillHumpherey Waddington, St Catharine’sMatt Haslett, ChurchillIan Simson, St John’sAndrew Wheble,TrinityAndrew Lee, JesusHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Jessica Fogarty, Gonville & CaiusMadeleine Patston, Gonville & CaiusJoanne Lister, PembrokeGeorgina Hurt, DowningLaura McGarty, ChurchillRebecca Welbourn, ChurchillPolly Keen, New HallEmma Rowley, PembrokeEmily Craven, New HallRebecca Riiser, St Catharine’sClare Palmer, DowningSarah Vigrass, Gonville & CaiusJoanna Melluish, SelwynDany Gammall,TrinityDavid Nefs, ChurchillGeoff Hill,TrinityJon Cook, JesusMatt Armstrong,Trinity HallSam Dobin,TrinityJames Kelly, JesusTim Pattison, DowningJan Molacek,TrinityJeff Wheeler, ClareCharles Romito, Hughes HallScott Knackstedt, DowningAidan McGowen, GirtonRichard Martin, Queens’Alex Bates, SelwynMike Collins,TrinityRyan Harper, Corpus ChristiEmmanuel Akinluyi, Christ’sGeorge Kenyon, RobinsonDan Ekpe, Corpus ChristiWill Rice, King’sClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Members of the Alligator’s (2nd) TeamMembers of the Alverstone’s (2nd) TeamCambridge University Athletic Club (CUAC) wasthe first university-wide athletics club to beestablished in the UK in 1857, followed by Oxfordin 1863.This perhaps makes CUAC the oldestuniversity athletics club in the world.The first Inter-Varsity Athletics match betweenthe two Universities took place in 1864, 32 yearsbefore the birth of the modern Olympics.Today,Cambridge competes with Oxford throughoutthe year in various invitational competitions andin particular in our 3 Varsity Matches, these beingthe Freshman Match in Michaelmas Term, theField Events and Relays in Lent Term, and theVarsity Match itself in Easter.In 3 out of every 4 years, CUAC and OUAC willcome together as the Achilles Club to competeagainst American Universities in the oldestinternational athletic series in the world.TheHarvard-Yale matches date back to 1894 andthe Penn-Cornell series has roots in 1921.17

Every 4 years, the English Universities will tourthe US over Easter to compete against all 4 ofthe US institutions. CUAC athletes are currentlytraining in the hope of gaining selection for thenext tour in 2009.CUAC also has an active social scene, with boththe Alverstones and Alligators Clubs holdingregular outings with other university sports clubs.CUAC welcomes athletes of all abilities and iskeen to hear from anyone interested in joiningthe club.Varsity Match17th May 2008, Sir Roger Bannister Track, IffleyRoad, OxfordMen’s Blues: Oxford 116 Cambridge 96Women’s Blues: Oxford 109 Cambridge 90Men’s 2nd Team: Oxford Centipedes 102Cambridge Alverstones 108Women’s 2nd Team: Oxford Millipedes 98Cambridge Alligators 96The 134th Varsity Athletics Match was held onSaturday 17th May at the recently renamed SirRoger Bannister Track, Oxford. The Men’s Blueswere hoping to cement their dominance over theDark Side after last year’s record breaking victory,whereas the Women’s Blues were determined toprevent Oxford claming their third consecutivevictory. Unfortunately, despite strongperformances from members of CUAC, it wasOxford who rose to the challenge on the daywinning key events and who ultimately cameout victorious.For the Men’s Blues, the match was always goingto be a close one. Injuries had left the Bluesdeprived of some of their best athletes, butmoreover this year Cambridge had to overcomethe formidability of Oxford’s Garrett Johnson, aman whose Shot Putt best currently ranks him9th in the world.Early on, strong performances and even largepersonal bests by the Blues looked to build asolid foundation for the rest of the day. Howevereach performance was equally matched by therespective Oxford athletes. Freshman Ian Simsonjumped a massive 6.82m in the Long Jump,leading throughout the competition until he waseclipsed by Oxford’s very last jump. SimilarlyChurchill’s Matt Haslett led the High Jumpcompetition until a final attempt Oxfordclearance at 1.95m.The Blues bounced back during the middle of theday. Ben Richardson (recent winner of the 110mhurdles at the South of England Championshipsand BUSA silver medallist) claimed victories inboth the 100m (11.00 seconds) and 110mHurdles (14.62 seconds), whilst PresidentHumphrey Waddington took victory in the TripleJump (14.05m). Narrow losses in the 800m andPole Vault though helped to extend Oxford’s lead,and further losses in the 400m, 3000mSteeplechase and the Mile meant they could startto smell victory.Cambridge refused to lay down though,Richardson once again claiming victories in the200m (22.22 seconds) and 200m Hurdles (25.58seconds), whilst Basketball Blue Richard Martinwon the Javelin (46.71m). However a Shot Puttvictory from Garrett Johnson in a massive 19.94madding to his earlier victory in the Discus,alongside the narrowest of losses in the 5000mhelped to secure Oxford’s overall victory, whichthey confirmed by taking both the relays.The end result of Oxford 116 Cambridge 96 washarsh on Cambridge and did not reflect the talentand effort that the entire team had put in acrossthe year. However this should not take away fromOxford who rose well to the challenge andperformed on the day.For the Women’s Blues, the match was alwaysgoing to be tough; however the team led byNewnham’s Lucy Spray were eager to contest forevery point in every event against Oxford even ifthey were not the pre-match favourites.The match started well for Cambridge withDarwin’s Florence Cavalli (3.00m) and King’s SarahWilliams (2.80m) claiming a 1-2 in the Pole Vault,and Cavalli narrowly missing out on the VarsityRecord. This was followed up by an outstanding400m hurdles run by Spray (63.72) beating theOxford President in the process. Oxfordreclaimed lost ground however and moved intothe lead by taking the Hammer, Long Jump and800m before Spray then claimed her secondvictory of the day in the 100m (12.65).Cambridge continued however to lose ground inthe field events, with the Discus, High Jump, Shotand Triple Jump all falling to the Dark Side. Vitalvictories by Becky Welbourn in the 400m (59.17),BUSA bronze medallist Helen Rollins in the5000m (17.34.94), a Varsity Record by GB CrossCountry International Charlotte Roach in the Mile18 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

(4.53.60) and a third victory for Spray in the 200m(25.53) kept Cambridge in touch.Losses in the field would eventually be the Bluesundoing, losing the final field event the Javelinfollowed by the 2000m Steeplechase left Oxfordwith an unassailable lead. Cambridge pride wasrestored however with victories in the two relayraces, the Blues coming from behind on bothoccasions to defeat Oxford.The end result of Oxford 109 Cambridge 90 alsoseemed a little unkind and really only reflectedOxford’s domination of a few key events. Howeverthe great tenacity shown by the Women’s side,combined with the young age of the team bodeswell for next year, particularly under the leadershipof Spray who claimed 5 medals for herperformances and the Susan Dennler Trophy forthe best female Varsity performance.The end points scores for the Second Teammatches were far closer. The CambridgeAlverstones claimed victory with 108 points tothe Oxford Centipedes 102. For the Women, anarrow victory was achieved by the OxfordMillipedes of 98 to the Cambridge Alligators 96,in which Jesus’ Ellie Nalson beat her own matchrecord in the Pole Vault clearing 2.40m.A. P. BatesOther NewsDespite the disappointment of losing Varsity,there have been many outstanding achievementsby CUAC members in the past year. First andforemost one would have to mention 2007graduate Ben Carne. In the 2006-07 review it wasnoted that Carne had achieved the 400m hurdlesqualifying standard for the Under 23 EuropeanChampionships. For this competition, he finished5th in the final. Furthermore, Carne was selectedand competed for Great Britain in the WorldStudent Games in Bangkok.Further success occurred very early in the seasonin November’s Freshers’Varsity Match. Anoutstanding display by the Cambridge Women,which included two records from Charlotte Roachand Helen Rollins in the 3000m and 1500mSteeplechase respectively, saw them take victoryby 104 – 97. Although the men were narrowlydefeated, individual performances were verypromising particularly from Josh Mouland whowon 3 events (110m and 400m Hurdles, and thePole Vault), and Ian Simson who prevailed in theLong and Triple Jumps.CUAC success continued throughout the indoorseason, culminating in a dominant display by theCambridge Men winning the annual Varsity FieldEvents and Relays Match at the state of the artLee Valley Indoor Centre by 11 events to 3.Despite this, the outstanding performance of theday came from the Cambridge Women’s Teamand Pole Vaulter Sarah Williams who cleared aheight of 2.90m beating the individual matchrecord and also assisting in taking the teamrecord with Alice Garrett and Theresa Hall at 6.70m.The current season began with a highlysuccessful warm weather training trip toTorremolinos, Spain. Over 40 athletes andcoaches attended the trip which generated ahuge team spirit alongside an intense two weeksof training. For performances this season thus far,of particular note are those of Ben Richardsonwho was recently crowned South of England110m hurdles Champion. Richardsonfurthermore claimed a silver medal in BUSA andwas 4th in the England Athletics Under 23Championships. Further success at BUSA wasachieved by Helen Rollins who picked up abronze medal in the 10,000m, and the men’s4 X 100m and women’s 4 X 400m teams bothfinishing 5th.Aside from athletics though, one of the biggestgains for CUAC this year has yet to come. In thecoming months new floodlights will be built atWilberforce Road and will allow CUAC as well asCUHC and town clubs the opportunity to train atmore appropriate times, avoiding clashes withlectures and supervisions. CUAC is very muchlooking forward to training under the floodlights.CUAC would also like to give thanks to oursponsors PriceWaterhouseCoopers, whosecontinued support has assisted the effectiverunning of the club for approaching 10 years.A. P. BatesSponsorPricewaterhouse Coopers19

Cambridge UniversityBadminton ClubThe University Badminton Club exists to give itsmembers an opportunity to play at a higher level thanthat offered by college badmintonMatches against Oxford.The club meets twiceweekly at weekends to practice, with matchesmid-week. Also, there are several social eventsthroughout the year.The season spansMichaelmas and Lent Terms with trials shortlyafter the Society Fair although new players canjoin throughout the year. Members of the clubalso run the College Open and ladies leagues andcuppers tournaments.Varsity Match16th February 2008 – Iffley Road Sports Ground,Oxfordwww.srcf.ucam.org/cucbcMen’s Captain: Peter Galloway, PeterhouseWomen’s Captain: Katie Scotter, GirtonSenior Treasurer: Dr John BrayHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Karen Hird, St Catharine’sCatherine Murphy, RobinsonKatherine Young, JesusFrances Powell, HomertonSam Lees, JesusHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Katie Scotter, GirtonNikini Jayatunga, St John’sClaire Rong, ChurchillPeter Galloway, PeterhouseRob Pace, St Catharine’sYi-xun Tan, Sidney SussexArjun Mehta,TrinityAbul Ali, HomertonClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Helen Carnaghan, MagdaleneHelen Wear, St Catharine’sMelanie Zhang, NewnhamSammy Jones, Christ’sIsabel Gutteridge,TrinityCindy Wang, MagdaleneJohn Raw, JesusChris White, PembrokeSandy Lamond, Christ’sSpiros Adams-Florou,Trinity HallTom Ellis,TrinityLong Chung Lai, St Catharine’sVishal Vyas, St John’sThe University Badminton Club exists to give itsmembers an opportunity to play at a higher levelthan that offered by college badminton, withinthe squad or against other universities. Mens andwomens teams are formed to compete in BUSAand we enter a mixed team into the Cambridgelocal league.The season culminates in the BUSAfinals and mens, womens and mixed VarsityMen’s 1st lost 1-14, Men’s 2nd lost 0-15, Women’s1st won 14-1, Women’s 2nd won 15-0, Cambridgewon overall on total rubbersTo play all the matches for men’s and women’sfirst and second team meant a long day at IffleyRoad for the Cambridge University BadmintonSquad. Despite the early start there were stillplenty of Light Blue supporters among the armyof Dark Blues to cheer on the men’s and women’ssecond teams as they started proceedings. Fromthe beginning, a trend started to emerge whichwas to continue throughout the Varsity Match,with the Cambridge women dominating theOxford women and the Cambridge menstruggling against a strong Dark Blue side.Captained by Claire Rong, the second womencruised through their singles and doublesmatches to an impressive 15-0 victory over adeflated Oxford side. In the other half of the hallthe Cambridge men continued to battle, taking anumber of matches to a close three sets, butnever managing to secure a win, they lost 0-15.20 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

After lunch it was the turn of the first teams totake on Oxford.The Cambridge women wereconfident, with a strong fresher intake, fourplayers having already secured Full Blues byoutstanding performances at the BUSA individualchampionships and coming second in the BUSASouth Premier Division, Oxford looked to be outof their league. Like the second women beforethem, the Cambridge women dominated Oxfordand secured a 14-1 victory barely breaking asweat. For the Cambridge men it was never goingto be straightforward, having lost their top twoplayers to injury and international commitments.The Cambridge men fought valiantly, with manygames going to three sets showcasing somespectacular play. All the Light Blues were on theedge of their seats, watching the overall scoresdraw ever closer.Thanks to some outstandingplay by Peter Galloway and Rob Pace in thedoubles the Cambridge men won their firstand only game of the tournament.This left theoverall scores tied 30-30, but thanks to the menforcing many close games Cambridge wonoverall on points.WomenThe women played in the South Premier divisionof the BUSA league this season, finishing insecond place behind a strong Bath side. At theBUSA finals, we met Bath again and unfortunatelylost against a team consisting almost entirely ofinternational players to finish fourth overallbehind Bath, Loughborough and Birmingham.At the BUSA individuals, Katherine Young andCatherine Murphy, and Fran Powell and KarenHird reached the last 16 and quarter finals of thewomen’s doubles competition respectively. Karen,Katherine and Catherine also competed for theirrespective senior county teams.MixedCambridge have dominated the local Cambridgemixed league for several years and this seasonwas no exception, with the University teamcoming top of the league above rivals Ely andSt Ives.SponsormannamexicoOther NewsMenThe men faced unfortunate draws at the BUSAindividuals meaning our top players came upagainst the first seeds in the first round. Sam Leesgot to the last 16 in the Men’s singlescompetition.The men played in the SouthPremier BUSA league finishing third aboveOxford and below Bristol and Bath. In the BUSAfinals we beat Nottingham in the last 16 to beknocked out in the Quarter Finals by Bristol.21

Cambridge UniversityBasketball ClubThe Cambridge University Basketball Club comprisestwo teams; the men's 1st team (Cambridge Blues) andthe men's 2nd Team (Cambridge Lions)www.cubbc.org.ukPresident: Leopold Parts, Corpus ChristiCo-captain: Leopold Parts, Corpus Christi &Christopher Bohn, Christ’sSecretary: Sunith de Fonseka,TrinitySenior Treasurer: Nebojsa Radic, LanguageCentreBlues Awarded 2007-08Damjan Pfajfar,Trinity Hall – Returning BlueNikos Bamiedakis, Downing – Returning BlueLeopold Parts, Corpus Christi – Returning BlueSunith de Fonseka,TrinityRichard Martin, Queens'Hugo Halferty Drochon, St John'sAtticus Honoré, Corpus ChristiEvan Hall, DowningHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Christopher Bohn, Christ'sDomantas Jankauskas, DowningCollege Colours Awarded 2007-08Takuma Goto, RobinsonStuart Lee, DarwinRobin Fletcher, DowningChristoph Mueller, WolfsonAndrew Northern, ChurchillOwen Weller, PembrokeSimon Proffitt, Queens'Olaf Schreiber, ChurchillErnest Lau, St John'sMarco Piccolino Boniforti, Clare HallSven Krippendorf, DarwinNick Bell, JesusYichang Ng, Christ'sThe Cambridge University Basketball Clubcomprises two teams; the men's 1st team(Cambridge Blues) and the men's 2nd Team(Cambridge Lions). Both teams take part in theirrespective BUSA Midlands Conference leagues. Inaddition, the Club organises the CU BasketballCollege League in order to accommodate thehigh enthusiasm shown by students to getinvolved with the sport at the college level.Basketball has been judged to be of Full Bluestatus in the University and the president of theClub is empowered to award five Blues and fiveHalf Blues to members of the Blues' Varsity team,with the option of nominating a further three forDiscretionary Blues.The members of the Lions'Varsity team are awarded Club Colours.Varsity MatchOxford Blues vs Cambridge BluesThe Light Blues tipped off against Oxford with agame plan detailed by head coach Angelo Favia:play tough man-to-man defence and secure anearly lead. After the first quarter, however, itbecame clear that this strategy would not be easyto implement. Great defence by both teamsmeant that the score was only 7–5, in Oxford’sfavour. During the second quarter, the Bluesstruggled against Oxford’s zone. Atticus Honoreand Richard Martin were able to find holes anddrive to the basket to initiate the Blues scoring.Nevertheless, Cambridge’s big men, Leo Parts andHugo Halferty-Drochon, and guards, Sunith deFonseka and Chris Bohn, struggled to find their22 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

groove. Substitutions gave Evan Hall, DomantasJankauskas and Nikos Bamiedakis a chance toreduce the points' margin. Bamiedakis finishedthe game with 10 offensive rebounds and 12points. After a late third quarter surge, the Blueshad reduced the Oxonian lead to 10. Stepping uptheir defence, the Blues continued to chip away attheir opponent’s lead.With two minutes left toplay Cambridge had battled to within six pointsof Oxford, and the opposing team’s fans hadassumed an eerie silence. In the final minutes,however, Oxford managed to convert crucial freethrows.The final score was Cambridge 61 –Oxford 73.Oxford Twos vs Cambridge LionsThe Cambridge Lions went into the Varsity Gameon the back of a successful season, but wary of anOxford team from the division above that wouldpresent a stiff challenge. Oxford had a brighterstart, moving the ball quickly, forcing fouls andmaking the most of their free-throws. But theLions responded with sharp shooting from guardStuart Lee.The coach, Chris Ashwin, encouragedthe team and pointed out holes in the opposingzone defence which the post-players RobinFletcher and Andrew Northern were able toexploit to bring Cambridge level.The Lions'defence settled down and Oxford found itdifficult to get easy shots, whilst ChristophMueller put his effective jump shot into use.At half time, the Lions were 5 points ahead.The Lions started the second half well, with thespeedy Yi Chung Ng scoring on a fast break.Owen Weller began to run the show with anexcellent three pointer and hook shot and therewere also good scoring contributions from SimonProffitt and Nick Bell.The Cambridge fans were infull voice as the final quarter approached, liftingtheir team.With the captain,Takuma Goto addingenergy to the defence and Stuart Lee continuingto work hard and score points, Cambridgestretched their lead to 10 points. However, in thefinal minutes of the game, things took a drasticturn.The Cambridge offence ran out of steamwhile an athletic Oxford team managed toturn things around, making a flurry of shots inquick succession.The game started to run away from Cambridge inthe final two minutes as the referees' decisionswent against them and it ended with Oxfordwinning by seven points.The final score was70-63. Despite the loss, the Lions can be proud ofhaving had their best performance of the season,leading for the majority of the game, andcompeting to the end.The squad has workedhard during the year, had lots of memorable teammoments, and improved quickly thanks to thecoaching of Chris Ashwin.Other NewsCambridge BluesWhat to the outside world can only appear asrather incredible, the University of Cambridgedoes not own a proper sports facility with abasketball court, placing a heavy strain on theclub’s and player’s resources, both human inorganising and booking Kelsey Kerridge, andfinancially in ensuring sufficient court time. Sucha situation has a rather negative impact on theclub’s performance, and this year was no different,with pre-season training starting a mere twoweeks before the first game, as opposed to atleast a month for the other BUSA clubs.The Clubsincerely wishes that the plans to build aCambridge University Sports Hall go aheadin the very near future to remedy thisintolerable situation.Another factor of indeterminacy marked thebeginning of the new season, with the transitionfrom the old coach Nebojsa Radic to our newcoach Angelo ‘Gusto’ Favio. Under the guidance ofcaretaker player-coach Damjan, the Blues took onreigning champions Oxford Brooks for theiropening game, putting in a performance withplenty of potential, and narrowly loosing thegame by three, with a shot on the buzzer to drawthe game.With Angelo now firmly in charge, theBlues beat their next opponents Nottingham by15 points, but suffered another set-back at thehands of Warwick, again taking a shot on thebuzzer to win the game. Indeed the inability ofthe Blues to win close games was to mar theirseason, and cost them the championship.Withanother two victories under their belt(Wolverhampton, UEA), the Blues travelled toOxford Brookes to what promised to be thedeciding match of the tournament. HoweverCambridge’s demons returned to haunt themagain, though level with one minute to play, theBlues would lose the game by four points.Thisset off a rather dark patch for the Blues, with a23

now infamous follow-up game against UEA.Further losses on the road meant that the Blueswould finish in the middle of their division.It should be mentioned, at this point, that theBlues had a rather successful ‘Italian’ season,travelling both to Milan and Bari to participate inlocal basketball tournaments.The Bari game wasthe last of the season, and the Blues were finallyable to banish the demon that had beenpursuing them all season, winning in overtime bythree points. Returning Blues for this yearincluded Nikos Bamiedakis, President LeopoldParts and Damjan Pfajfar. Blues for 2007/2008were awarded to Sunith de Fonseka, HugoHalferty Drochon, Evan Hall, Atticus Honoré andRichard Martin.The other members of the teamwere Chris Bohn, Domantas Jankauskas, JuhanAru and Michal Kucewicz. Due to unforeseencircumstances, Sunith de Fonseka, Presidentelect for next year, will be leaving us before thestart of the season.The Club would like to takethis opportunity to thank him for havingbrought such sunshine both on and off thecourt during his time in Cambridge and wishhim the best for the future.The next plannedtrip for the Club is Sunith’s wedding inDecember.The returning five players arealready training for the next season, with oneobjective in sight: win Varsities 2009.Sponsormannamexico24 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityWomen’s Basketball ClubThe Cambridge University Women’s Basketball Club;(CUWBbC) is comprised of the University’s topbasketball playerswww.srcf.ucam.org/cubbc/new/President: Elizabeth Azzato, Sidney SussexCaptain: Victoria Lister, DowningSecretary: Victoria Lister, DowningSenior Treasurer: Nebojsa Radic, LanguageCentreHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Victoria Lister, DowningGilla Shapiro, GirtonAlexandra Zieritz, Department of ZoologyBo Dury, PembrokeKim Lamza, JesusStephanie Polderdijk,Trinity HallJurate Karciauskaite, DowningSarah Lovell, St Edmund’sNicola Hands, JesusImogen Holmgren, New HallThe Cambridge University Women’s BasketballClub (CUWBbC) is comprised of the University’stop basketball players.The Light Blues hasconditional Full-Blue Status. During the year, ourfifteen athletes that make up CUWBbC’s 1st team,participates in BUSA, the Varsity Match, as well asexhibition games and tournaments. CUWBbC alsoprovides a service to the College League byorganising court time, proctoring each game, andorchestrating different competitions and eventsto make the college league enjoyable to itsparticipants.Varsity MatchIfley Road, Oxford, on February 24th.Women’s Firsts: Cambridge 52- Oxford 53This year, Oxford had the home advantage for theVarsity Match, and based on the 2006-7 results,Cambridge was the team to beat. However,Oxford had finished first in the 2007-8 year’sBUSA conference while Cambridge finished rightbehind Oxford as second in the Conference.The stand off did not disappoint in being a veryclose match.The Light Blues were headed by theirexperienced,Level 2 England Basketball coach,Milos Buhavac.The game plan was simple,toprevent Oxfords’sharp shooters from takingmultiple outside shots,while also ensuring theywould not get easy points through under thebasket lay-ups.This defensive plan proved to beeffective,and Cambridge had the lead for asignificant portion of the game.However,in the lastquarter the score began to shift in Oxford’s favor.Oxford began to hit many three-point outside shotsin a row,and made the game very tight.The finalscore was astonishingly close; Oxford beatCambridge by only 1 point,not even by 1 basket (2points).The final score was 53-52 to Oxford.Both teams demonstrated great sportsmanshipand talent. CUWBbC was very happy with thelevel of competition, and looks forward to the2008-9 Varsity Match.Other NewsCambridge University Women’s Basketball Teamcame second in their BUSA Conference. In BUSAthey are part of the 1A Tier, Midlands Conference.Tier 1A is directly below the Premier League,the top division of the Conference.There are sixsuch conferences.CUWBbC had an exhibition game against TrinityCollege Dublin. CUWBbC also participated in thefirst ‘European Universities Basketball ChallengeTournament’ in Milan, Italy (March 1-4), wherethey were victorious and won the trophy.SponsorOspreys Citi Kit Bursary25

Cambridge UniversityBoat ClubCUBC started the season with only two rowing Bluesand very little international experienceThe Blue Boat were described as underdogs earlyon in the season, being less experienced, lighterand more youthful than their Oxfordcounterparts. Despite an early setback in a raceagainst the Canadian national team, theyperformed well against a Molesey crew and hadshown very promising speed in the weeksleading up to the race. Just three days before thebig day, however, stroke (US international ShaneO’Mara) was advised by doctors that he could notrace. Ryan Monaghan, who had until then beenstroking Goldie, stepped up to the seat.www.cubc.org.ukPresident: Dan O’Shaughnessy, St Edmund’sSecretary: Laura Sutcliffe, ClareSenior Treasurer: Professor J Luzio, St Edmund’sBlues Awarded 2007-08Ryan Monaghan, St Edmund’sThomas Edwards, Gonville & CaiusThomas Ransley, Hughes HallPeter Marsland, Clare HallTobias Garnett,TrinityHenry Pelly, St Edmund’sTim Perkins, JesusColin Scott,Trinity HallRebecca Dowbiggin, EmmanuelClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Spencer Hunsberger, PembrokeDavid Billings, Gonville & CaiusDaniel O'Shaughnessy, St Edmund’sBartosz Szczyrba, WolfsonJohn Heder, St Edmund’sRichard Stutt, GirtonAlastair Macleod, St Catharine’sMarco Espin, Gonville & CaiusRussell Glenn, DarwinVarsity MatchThe Championship Course, River ThamesBlue Boat lost by 6 lengths, Goldie lost by3 1 /2 lengthsCUBC started the season with only two rowingBlues and very little international experienceamong the squad. Despite this, every memberof the club and the coaches worked extremelyhard to produce two crews of high calibre onBoat Race day. Unfortunately, the result of theBoat Race and the Goldie-Isis race does notreflect the many, many things that the Club didright this year.In these circumstances the performancedisplayed by Cambridge in the Boat Race wasphenomenal. Oxford had a cleaner start andcould have powered away in the first twominutes; but the CUBC spirit prevailed andCambridge fought back with determination.Although the end result was defeat, very fewcrews can truly say that they went down fightingin the manner of this year’s Blue Boat.Unfortunately Goldie could not provideconsolation for the Blue Boat this year. Despite anearly lead, they were also defeated by a strong Isiscrew, containing two Blues from 2007.The CUBC has been working hard over recentyears to strengthen rowing in Cambridge. Ourdevelopment squad provides coaching andcompetition for the most talented college rowers,and many of this year’s squad are involved withthe bumps through coaching or rowing withtheir colleges.26 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Other NewsSince the break following the 2008 Boat Race, theclub has trained under the direction of Rob Baker,with the coxless IV being selected to race as theGB 2nd crew at the World Cup in Poznan.Thesame crew then went on to win the Stewards’Challenge Cup (the top event for coxless IVs) atHenley Royal Regatta, beating the Greek nationalteam in the final.The crew was composed of fourof this year’s Blue Boat:Tobi Garnett, PeteMarsland,Tom Ransley and, incoming President,Henry Pelly.Rebecca Dowbiggin, this year’s blue boat cox alsomedalled at Henley in a composite crew that wonthe Remenham Challenge Cup (for womens VIIIs).SponsorXChangingwww.sophiepickford.com27

Cambridge UniversityWomen’s Boat ClubThe Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club (CUWBC)represents the pinnacle of women’s rowing in CambridgeThe Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club(CUWBC) represents the pinnacle of women’srowing in Cambridge. Our main focus is to trainthree VIIIs to race Oxford in the Henley Boat Racesheld annually.In June/July, CUWBC runs a Development Squad;four weeks of intensive training to preparetriallists for the coming season. Around 40athletes take part, making up four VIIIs, whichcompete in various regattas, including theNational Rowing Championships.www.cuwbc.orgPresident: Claire Hansell, FitzwilliamVice-President: Gillian McFarland, Gonville& CaiusLightweight Captain: Fran Rawlins,TrinitySecretary: Eleanor Goodfield, FitzwilliamSenior Treasurer: Simon Cope, Christ’sBlues Awarded 2007-08Steffi Warrillow, EmmanuelLouise Connell, St John’sElselijn Kingma,Trinity HallInka Borchers, Clare HallSamantha Bennett, PembrokeErin Weber, NewnhamStephanie Jacquot,Trinity HallChiara Ferrara, King’sAnna Simpson, Corpus ChristiHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Abigail Fox,TrinityFran Rawlins,TrinityChloe Swords, FitzwilliamCamilla McCorkell, Queens’Jocy Williams, St John’sJenny Davenport, St Edmund’sClaire Hansell, FitzwilliamJulia Summers,TrinitySarah Allen, PeterhouseBlondie Colours Awarded 2007-08Chris Burfiend, ChurchillHarriet Eldred, NewnhamAlice Wordley, Queens’Laura Creek, PembrokeRachel Croft,TrinitySabrina Stewart, Gonville & CaiusKatie Wood, GirtonEvgenia Ilyinskaya, DarwinFionnuala Ratcliffe, ClareThe trialling season officially begins inSeptember, and over eight months, from an initialsquad of around 60 athletes, 24 oarswomen and3 coxes are selected to race Oxford in the HenleyBoat Races. The club also competes in Universityand national races across the country, HenleyRoyal Regatta and International races, includingHead of the Charles, Boston, USA.Varsity Match23/3/08, Henley-on-ThamesBlue boat: lost (1/2 length)Lightweights: won (1/3 length)Blondie (heavyweight reserves): lostThe Henley Boat Races 2008 were held on March23rd in unseasonably cold weather and highwinds, although fortunately the conditions didnot require the shortening of the course as in2007.The organisers agreed, however, that theweather would be likely to be better earlier in theday, so the Women’s Blue Boat Race was swappedwith that of the heavyweight reserves.28 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Unfortunately, the weather did worsenthroughout the day, making it challenging for allcrews and extremely disruptive to theBlondie/Osiris reserves race.The first race of the day was the Women’s Blues.Both crews got off to a good start, despite theextremely choppy water in the first 500-meters ofthe course.The CUWBC Blue Boat pulled out to aslight lead in the first 250 but Oxford coped withthe conditions better coming into the 500,pulling out to around a third of a length.Cambridge continued to push the strongOxford crew and by the 1500, Cambridge tookup the rating and looked to be gaining onOxford.Yet the Dark Blues responded to our finalcharge, holding CUWBC to a half length at thefinish. Nevertheless, it was a race for the Blue Boatto be proud of, as many were predicting aprocession following the 30s defeat at WeHoRR3 weeks previously.The next race was the Lightweight Women, whowere fired up after great improvements in the lastfew weeks of training.The race was a close one,with Oxford taking a slight lead in the first 500m.However, CUWBC’s better rhythm and bladeworkin the choppy conditions edged them past in themiddle of the race. Cambridge held off a latecharge from the Oxford Crew to win the raceby a third of a length and prevent a Dark Blueclean sweep.The Blondie versus Osiris race began in verychallenging conditions, with spray flying off bothcrew’s blades as they battled through the choppywater. Coming up towards the 500 meters,Blondie were rowing strongly and ahead of theOsiris crew. However, disaster struck in the form ofa particularly vicious wave, which resulted in anunavoidable boat-stopping crab, and their racewas effectively over. After recovering, they madeup significant ground on Osiris, but sadly neverenough to challenge them.Other NewsEuropean University Rowing Championships,September 2007:Following their Champ 8s win at the BUSARowing Championships in May 2007, the BlueBoat was selected to represent British UniversityRowing at the European University RowingChampionships, held in Banyoles, Spain.They came third, 0.2s behind second-placedZurich University.Four’s Head, November 2007:This year four CUWBC crews were entered intothe event.The coxless four came 5th in WS2 4-.The 3 coxed fours also did well in their respectivedivisions coming 3rd in WS2 4+ and 3rd and 4thin WS3 4+.Head of the Trent, February 2008:Both the Blue boat and the Lightweights wontheir divisions (WS2 VIII+ and WS3 VIII+)Women’s VIIIs Head of the River, March 2008:The Blue Boat finished in 13th place in the event– the largest competition for female rowers in theworld. Blondie and the Lightweights also did wellfinishing in 33rd and 43rd place respectively.SponsorAccentureAshurstDeutsche Bank29

Beijing ExperienceAnnie VernonMy Olympic campaign can probably be summedup with the phrase "it was the best of times, itwas the worst of times". So much was incrediblebeyond belief, yet so much was a dark, dark hole.Coming off the back of a world title and beingnamed FISA's outstanding crew of the year in2007, everything should have been good;however competition for the quad was incrediblyclose and I would best describe my winter assolid but jittery. In 2007 I had nothing to lose andsmashed my previous best performances to winmy seat in the quad, but defending my seat andmy world title was much tougher and lessenjoyable. I also struggled with my motivationthroughout the winter and it was with relief thatthe crew was named unchanged in April 2008.The British women's sculling group has neverbeen particularly close knit, and when I began tolose motivation to train and to improve, I lackedan immediate way of turning it around. However,we had a short break from training in May and Iwas able to return to my family farm in Cornwall,think back over my rowing, remind myself of whyI loved it and come back refreshed and ready tohit the racing season.The first World Cup regattawas absolutely blitzed; we won by a commandingmargin over our two biggest rivals, the Germansand the Chinese. Hopes were high ... but justthree weeks later we got taken apart by theChinese in Lucerne. A number of things wentwrong, but no one massive thing and it becameclear that they had raised the bar pretty high. Itwas up to us to respond, but there's nothing I likemore than a challenge, and in fact I relished thegauntlet they'd thrown down. Our twopre-Beijing camps went well and we headedto Beijing confident that we were doingeverything we could to put our best racetogether on the 17th August.Beijing itself was an incredible experience start tofinish and I felt so privileged, excited, awed,humble, to be there. Everything about it blew meaway – the Olympic Village, all the other athletesfrom different sports and countries, the Olympicrings, the rowing lake itself, and all the emotionand the passion that was expressed every day asothers went through their own personalcampaigns. It immediately became clear to mejust what it meant to be an Olympian, and justthe level of mutual respect between us all,unrelated to how you did or in what sport. I feltlike all my rowing had been building towardsthat point and I was ready to give theperformance of my life.We missed the opening ceremony as we raced onthe first Sunday, which was a disappointment butof course we were only there for one thing.Wedrew the Germans in our heat; unbeaten in theOlympics in this event since the 1980s, it was agreat feeling to lead them the whole way in asolid but unspectacular row.We aimed to winwith as efficient a row as possible so it felt goodto achieve that and qualify straight to the final.Boating for my first Olympic race I felt prettygood; our coach, Paul Thompson, took me asideand told me to enjoy it and be proud of myself.Now the countdown started to the final ... sevendays to go.Of course, even though we lived in a hotel by therowing lake for the duration of the regatta, westill felt a part of the British team and we wereable to follow all the other sports as we had a BBCfeed into our team lounge. It helped to whileaway the hours which at times sped by, and attimes dragged. It was a bit like waiting for an ALevel exam, crossed with waiting for ChristmasDay.The night before the final we did our last rowon the course and I must confess to a few tears aswe rowed back past the grandstands, with all oursupporters having stayed to give us a cheer.Themorning of the race felt like no other day; I wasn'tnervous but I just felt ready. I felt like all thetraining had been done, all the talking had beendone, we were just ready to race. I wanted thefinal to be the best performance of my life; Iwanted everything I'd ever done, all myachievements, the highs and lows, my history, mybackground, to come out in that race. I wantedmy Olympic final to be the absolute sum of myexperiences; it was less about sport and moreabout character.The race itself went exactly to plan for 90% of theway.We came out strongly, established a lead,and coming through the 500m marker Iremember feeling very confident – it was exactlythe kind of lively, aggressive rhythm we'd beenworking for.Through the 1000m, both theGermans and the Chinese started to move backon us, and coming into the 1250m we had a bigmove that we'd planned which worked like adream as we pushed out again. I still felt reallygood and in control of the race moving throughthe last 500m; but then with maybe two or threehundred metres remaining, suddenly the Chinesestarted to rip through us and we had nothing to30 Sport Annual Report Review 2007–2008

espond with.Their burst of speed was quitephenomenal and we had no idea they werecapable of that.We called everything we had butsuddenly the line arrived and we'd lost.Initially you feel empty and numb; disbelief that itwas over and that we'd been beaten after havingsuch a good row. Of course, it's impossible toprocess exactly what had happened and that itwas over; I have a few vague memories of goingthrough the motions of a BBC interview and thenthe medal ceremony.There's a part of you thatwants to try to rationalise it and try to make itbetter; but at the same time it's the OlympicGames – there is no second chance and there'snothing you can say to make it better.Thatfeeling of numbness lasted for most of thesecond week of the Games when we hit thepartying hard, and it wasn't until after it was allover and I'd left Beijing that I could really put it allin context. Of course I'll always be gutted at theresult; but the old saying that success is a journeynot a destination I think rings true here. I wouldfar rather a hundred times have led the race for90% of the way and lost, than come fromnowehere to grab a silver on the line. I would farrather have the courage and the pride to gambleit all on one race on one day, even if I fail, than tonever take that risk at all. And I have to celebratemy silver.There are hundreds of amazingsportswomen who have never stood on anOlympic podium – Paula Radcliffe for one – and ifthe Olympics is the biggest stage in sport, thenfor a Cornish farming girl to have come secondon that stage isn't bad going.This whole experience has taught me a numberof things. I used to think that it was all about theresult; it was "head or dead", it was gold ornothing, who cared about the taking part when itwas the winning that mattered. Now, I'vechanged my mind. I truly believe that the hardestpart is not coping with the result, but living withyourself; if you can honestly say that you turnedyourself inside out and did all you could, thenthat's as important as a gold medal. And asregards my Olympic campaign, I didn't doeverything perfectly by any stretch of theimagination, but not once did I ever settle forsecond best from myself, I was truly the best Icould have been in my final, and I may not haveconquered but I fought bloody well. I have noregrets and I'll never die wondering what mighthave been.As for London 2012, I haven't decided whether ornot to carry on.There's a lot more I want to dowith my life than row; but I truly love sport andthe draw of a home Olympics is strong.Watchthis space!Annie Vernon (left)31

Cambridge UniversityBowmenCambridge University Bowmen had a successful year, bothas individuals and as a teamwww.srcf.ucam.org/cubCaptain: Robert Fryers, Christ'sSecretary: Alison Richardson, Gonville and CaiusSenior Treasurer: Dr Lindsey Greer, SidneySussexBlues Awarded 2007-08Carrie Oliver, Queens’Half Blues Awarded 2007-08Robert Fryers, Christ'sSam Burnand, JesusPhilip Sterne, PembrokeBlondie Colours Awarded 2007-08Tim Craig, RobinsonMatthew Johnson,Trinity HallCambridge University Bowmen are theUniversity's archery club, and are affiliated withGNAS.We compete throughout the year in bothindoor and outdoor competitions (depending onthe season), scoring both individually and asteams. One of the Club's great strengths is thedevelopment of people who have never shotbefore. Labelled 'novices', the Club provides themwith training and equipment, and they alsocompete at an inter-university level in the noviceleague. Our main competitions during the yearare the BUTTS regional university league, and theBUSA Indoors and Outdoors competitions, andmembers often also attend regional or nationalcompetitions in the UK.Varsity Match17th May 2008, St John's College BacksSenior: Cambridge 3411, Oxford 3394Novice: Cambridge 2654, Oxford 2411This year saw the 59th Annual Varsity Matchcontested on John's Backs. It was the most evenlyfought Varsity Match for a decade, as anticipatedby the 5 previous meetings between CambridgeUniversity Bowmen and Oxford UniversityCompany Archers indoors this year.This resultedin aggregate scores of almost ten thousandpoints for each team, but the difference betweenthem was less than 20. Although Cambridge hadperhaps a slight edge indoors, for the outdoorVarsity Match this advantage was removed orpossibly even reversed by Oxford's two seniorladies, shooting the Windsor rather than thelonger Albion round shot by the gents. Added tothis was Oxford's determination to win the RoseBowl for the first time in 10 years.In the event, the match lived up to theanticipation. Oxford put in an excellent score of3394 (Angelina Measures, Ellen Davnall, DavidLongworth and Sam Johnson), but Cambridgeemerged victorious with a spectacular set ofscores.The team put in a heroic performance,scoring over 100 points better than theircombined personal best scores, and securingvictory with a score of 3411 (Robert Fryers,Sam Burnand, Carrie Oliver and Philip Sterne),just 17 points ahead of Oxford's score and only12 away from the all time Varsity record. Specialmention should go to Robert's score of 908,which was astonishing.32 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

The novice team continued their dominance witha crushing victory of more than 250 points overthe Oxford novices to set a new club record of2654 (Edmund Owen, Dave Hollingshead,Emma Pewsey and Alex Peters). Of particular notewas Edmund's score of 747, which is the highestscore for a Cambridge novice in 10 years, and inyears gone by would have put him in contentionfor a Half Blue – no mean achievement forsomeone who only picked up a bow for the firsttime last October.Special mention should also be made of theperformances by Tim Craig (775) and CallumYoung (548) who doggedly chased spots on thesenior and novice teams respectively, and bothshot superbly.Other NewsCambridge University Bowmen has had asuccessful year, both as individuals and as teams.The Novices won the BUTTS League NoviceTrophy, and the Seniors attained a respectable3rd place. Over the course of theLeague, 15medals were also won by members of CUB dueto their individual performances.The two BUSA competitions this year also sawsome good performances from members of theclub – of particular note are Dave Hollingsheadand Carrie Oliver, who performed superbly atBUSA Outdoors to come 1st and 2nd in theirrespective rounds.Beijing ExperienceAnna BebingtonIn the Olympic village you have almost nocontact with the outside world.You have a BBCTV feed of 24 hour Olympic coverage. Everythingelse is in Chinese. It is as if no other world existsbut the Olympics.The path to the giant food hallwas a kaleidoscope of team kit modelled byathletes of all possible shapes and sizes.Everybody was checking everybody else out.The flame was lit and we could see it,on top of theBirds Nest.We wanted one at the rowing course andwere rewarded when a generator caught firespectacularly.The Chinese offical line was that therewas no fire,although the several thousand spectatorsmight have disagreed,if disagreeing were allowed.We raced our early rounds and made the final.We sat in our room trying to make the time speedup until the big race. Elise and I found knitting tobe an effective distraction.The medals started rolling in and we all began towork out who the big cheeses were.Michael Phelpsis top of the class,with Usain Bolt growing in legendevery day."Crikey",it was easy to think,"Even if I winthis thing,I will never be somebody here".Four years of the Cambridge bubble and I hadlearned; things change once you leave.Weweren't intimidated. My bronze was the medianresult for the British rowing team, 23 athletes outof 43 had medals.The town where I grew updidn't see it that way!I'm back down to earth and in training again.Thebronze is my banker, I can take a risk now for agold on home water. 33

Cambridge UniversityCanoe ClubA dynamic and fun club catering for all levels of abilityThe men's event was very closely fought withRichard Hendron in 1st, Ian Dumolo and RobAnderson in 3rd and Ben Hosford in 6thsnatching victory by a single point from Oxford.Varsity polo took place in Parkside Pools.This wasthe largest Varsity event the club was involved in,with 3 teams from Oxford and another two fromWarwick attending. Some very impressiveperformances resulted in Cambridge winningthe Men's A, Men's B and Women's VarsityMatches, in front of a considerable number ofenthusiastic spectators.www.srcf.ucam.org/cucanoePresident: Ian Dumoles,TrinityCaptain: Rob Anderson, EmmanuelSecretary: Jen Callender, MagdeleneSenior Treasurer: Sam Wallier, Departmentof EngineeringWhether you are interested in fun kayaking tripson the Cam, big white water in the French Alps orjust a lively social atmosphere then CU CanoeClub has loads to offer! It's a dynamic and funclub catering for all levels of ability. Our beginnerscourses each term are an ideal way to get started.We hold weekly sessions on the Cam and in thepool as well as weekend trips away to find WhiteWater and Surf.We compete in Canoe Slalom,Marathon, Canoe Polo, River Racing and Freestyle,and thrash Oxford on a regular basis! We alsomeet in a pub every Wednesday, and have manyformals, clubbing nights and parties every term.So get involved! Email Phil on pc365 (@cam.ac.uk)to find out moreVarsity Match3-4th May 2008, Cam and Parkside PoolsWhite Water Racing (M) – CambridgeWhite Water Racing (W) – OxfordMarathon (M,W) – CambridgePolo (Men's A, Men's B, Women's) – CambridgeThis year's varsity marathon was on the Cam,running from the town club [near the FenCauseway road bridge] to Granchester and backfor the ladies, and twice this for the men.Theglorious sunshine was great weather forwatching but made for hot work for thosecompetitiors that didn't take a swim whilst tryingto avoid the droves of punts.The women's racewas comfortably won by Cambridge with AmyWhitaker in 2nd, Louise Bell and Maxi von Eye 3rdin a K2 and Vicky Wall in 4th counting forCambridge.The fight for 5th and 6th wasincredibly tight, with Audry Lee securing 5th forCambridge a mere 2 seconds ahead of Oxford'sRuth Flint.The Varsity White Water Race took place on theriver Washburn, alongside the BUSA WWR eventin October.While we were unable to field awomen's team, our men's team beat Oxford, totake 3rd place overall.Other NewsThe BUSA White Water Race took place upon themurky waters of the river Washburn.While wewere not able to field a women's team, our men'steam, consisting of Ian Dumolo, Hugh Simon andAlex Hellawell, performed very well bagging theteam bronze, no mean feat considering none ofthem specialise in white water racing.We had a massive turn out for this year's BUSAslalom event at Teeside, mainly due to JamesDixon and Amy Whitaker's massive enthusiasm ingetting people keen. As such the majority of ourteam had never taken part in slalom competitionbefore.This and our somewhat ancient boats'tendencies to sink if you were in them for morethan a few minutes made for an exciting34 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

weekend. Some very impressive individualruns backed up by solid team runs led toCambridge achieving the highest overall scoreof any university that does not own any C1 orC2 type boats.The club also had another successful year atBUSA polo, with the Men's A team unlucky not tofinish higher than 7th, the Men's B team comingan impressive 5th, and the women's teamfinishing in 14th.Outside of BUSA events, Richard Hendron waspart of the winning K2 team in the 125 mileDevizes-Westminster marathon race, James Dixonraced in the K1 Men Slalom Premier Division.Photo: Charlotte Richardson35

Cambridge UniversityCricket ClubCambridge University cricket maintains much of itshistorical fixture programmehttp://www.cucc.net/President: Professor BuckinghamCaptain: Fred Owen, Corpus ChristiSecretary: Ben Jacklin, MagdaleneSenior Treasurer: Professor Ken Siddle, ChurchillBlues Awarded 2007-08Akbar Ansari,Trinity HallScott McLennon, St John’sNick Whittington,Trinity HallMichael James, Sidney SussexCambridge University cricket maintains much ofits historical fixture programme including fixturessuch as the MCC, Free Forresters, Duke of Norfolkand the Quidnuncs which it has been playing forover 100 years.These fixtures culminate in a 1 and4 day Varsity Match v Oxford, the 1 day matchbeing held at Lords. A Twenty20 fixture, takingplace at alternate venues, was added to thevarsity programme in 2008.The club alsocompetes in the BUSA cricket leagues.In 2000 the University of Cambridge has joined inpartnership with Anglia Ruskin University increating the Cambridge MCC Centre of CricketingExcellence. In 2008 the UCCE team was a 50/50split between players from the 2 institutions, thisteam fulfils 3 annual first class fixtures v countysides. CUCC also run a second team known as theCrusaders who have a complete fixtureprogramme including a varsity 1 and 4 day match.Varsity MatchLords 1 day, 4 day Varsity at the Parks Oxford1 day match was a win for Cambridge, 4 daymatch was drawn.June 17th 20081 day match at LordsCambridge 286-8 from 50 overs; ( Ansari 73,Timms 55)Oxford 239a/o from 46.4 overs (Baker 4-66)Cambridge won by 47 runsJuly 1st-4th 20084 day varsity match at the ParksCambridge 386 a/o from 135.1 overs ( Ansari 193,Whittington 83)Oxford 264 a/o from 96.1 overs ( Ansari 4-50Cambridge 255-4 dec from 67 overs ( Ansari 80no,Timms 55)Oxford 353-7 from 101.4 oversMatch Drawn4-Day VarsityVarsity Draw despite thrilling finishDespite long periods of slow and unadventurousplay by both teams,The University Parks playedhost to the most exciting Varsity Match for a longtime.The target of 368 set by Cambridge seemedlikely to be an insurmountable challenge forOxford, particularly after the poor showing in thefirst innings. After keeping wickets in hand for thelast hour, essentially turning the game into aTwenty20 finish, Oxford took runs at acomfortable rate, whilst Cambridge’s fieldingwent to shreds in the face of the possibility oflosing a game they thought only they could win.If Neil Kruger had not been dismissed for 172,Oxford surely would have won, a fine catch byRobin Kemp off the bowling of Ansari essentiallyended any hope of Oxford getting home.ThatCambridge were in this position can be largelyput down to the efforts of Akbar Ansari, postinghis first of what will hopefully be many first classhundreds, making 193. Along with NickWhittington (80) he helped post a record36 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge 6th wicket partnership in VarsityMatches of 216, and in doing so, ensuredCambridge could take the spoils in the firstinnings, despite being a miserable 85-5. Ed Morseprovided the incisive quality for the home side,eventually finishing with figures of 6-102 off30 overs. Cambridge then bowled marvellously todismiss Oxford for 259 especially after being168-2. Hemingway and Ansari proved the mainthreats, Ansari claiming 4 wickets in addition tohis hundred. It was the seamers however thatprovided the impetus, Jacklin first removingKruger with an excellent Yorker, and O’Driscollclaiming the wicket of the entrenched Sadler tomake the breakthrough.Wickets then fellregularly to the spinners, Hemingway’s delivery todismiss Spencer Crawley showing the potentialdifficulties to come for the side batting last, thebatsman only able fend off an absolute brute thatturned and bounced from a crack. More runs fromAnsari, (80*) plus contributions from all of the toporder barring keeper Heywood, gave Cambridgethe lead and plenty of time to dismiss Oxfordagain. Hemingway bowled terrifically withabsolutely no luck, several thick edges offboth halves of the bat fell out of the reachesof the close-in fielders. Kruger however shouldtake credit for a very good innings indeed,Cambridge will need to ensure he is dismissedearly in future fixtures to ensure this year’s goodrun can be continued.The game also marked the end of the CUCCplaying careers of 8 of the players, Heywood,Jacklin and Kemp amassing 14 Blues betweenthem, Heywood having the record for CambridgeCricket Blues with 6, and equalling the record forboth Universities.The year was a thoroughlyenjoyable one, aided by success against Oxfordfor the first time in a number of years.TomHemingway will captain the side, providedreports from tutors of the guarantee of his returnto read an MPhil materialise, and with AkbarAnsari, Scott MacLennan and Fergus Bakerreturning, Cambridge will look to go one gamefurther than this year’s crop.One Day Varsity ReportBlues win Lord's VarsityThe Blues won the one day Varsity Match lastTuesday, only the second time of doing so sincethe game was moved to MCC hq.The fixture wasagain a thrilling one, though in contrast to thelast 4 years, runs were much easier to come by asthe sun shone and the wicket was flat.Were it notfor a very unflattering spell of spin bowling bythe Cambridge bowlers in the middle of theOxford innings, the match could have beenconsiderably less interesting, Oxford having tochase over 8 an over for long periods.The initialpressure was set up by new ball bowlers Jacklin(1-15) and James (1-37), both of whom bowledvery tight and disciplined lines and lengths, asharp contrast to their Oxford counterparts, whoonce again let themselves down in a similarfashion to that of the Twenty20 match two weeksprior, this time giving away 42 wides. Neil Krugerbatted extremely well for his 81, and was ablysupported by other members of the middle order,especially debutant keeper Haslam (43).Cambridge were lucky to keep picking up wicketsat crucial times, and in the end The Light Blueswon comfortably, bowling Oxford out with 3.2overs to spare and 47 runs short of Cambridge's286-8.That Oxford were under such pressure soearly was due to a very solid batting display fromCambridge, not least by the two openers Timms(55) and new man Ansari (73). Cambridge wereable to keep wickets in hand for the last 10 overs,not least because of the contribution of extras,and whilst wickets fell a little too frequently, 286-8 was always going to be tough to achievechasing under pressure. Cambridge now mostcertainly have the upper hand going into the 4day match in July, with two wins in two againstthe Dark Blues.20/20 Varsity Match ReportBlues win inaugural Twenty20 Varsity MatchThe Blues won their first Varsity Match since 2005as they triumphed, eventually rather comfortably,with one and a half overs to spare. Oxford wonthe toss and elected to bowl, no doubt hoping toput early pressure on the visitors with the new,swinging pink ball. Indeed, with Cambridge at72 for 5 off 7 overs, including three run outs, thedecision by Oli Sadler looked a good one. Sadlyfor Oxford, a total of 50 extras took the pressureoff the visitors, as they worked towards acompetitive total of 155, with useful lower runsfrom Heywood (26) and Hemingway (20). Inresponse and in front of an ever building crowd,Cambridge bowled a much tighter line, butOxford were still moving along nicely at over10 an over.The game changed suddenly after a37

38 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008Hemingway double wicket maiden, and with ablesupport by fellow spinner Fergus Baker, the DarkBlues started struggling against the lack of pace.Oxford lost wickets regularly, including cruciallyMcKerchar, run out for 50.Thereafter, moresuccessful overs of leg spin from Akbar Ansarimeant that Oxford were always behind the rate.

Cambridge UniversityWomen’s Cricket ClubThe Women’s Cricket Club exists in order both to provide anopportunity for beginners to try cricket, and also to providetop-class coaching to a squad of more experienced playershttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/cuwcc/Captain: Laura Gardiner, SelwynSecretary: Amy Perkins, SelwynSenior Treasurer: Professor Ken Siddle, ChurchillBlues Awarded 2007-08Laura Gardiner, SelwynCharlotte Hornsby, SelwynSophia Davis, DarwinClare Ross,Trinity HallHelen Bellfield, HomertonRachel Thompson, New HallDanielle Lavender, NewnhamAlys Donnelly, EmmanuelSarah Walker, GirtonEllie Wright, Gonville and CaiusRebecca Brown, DowningTiffany Bogich, St Catharine'sThe Women's Cricket Club exists in order both toprovide an opportunity for beginners to trycricket, and also to provide top-class coaching toa squad of more experienced players.To this end,we offer weekly beginner sessions in Michaelmasterm and occasionally in other Terms, while ourBUSA squad trains throughout the winter, andalso competes in indoor tournaments. Our mainfocus, however, is the BUSA outdoor competitionduring Easter Term, in which we currentlycompete in the Midlands league.We finish theseason with the annual Varsity Match againstOxford which is played at Lord's Cricket Ground.Varsity MatchTuesday 17th June 2008, Lord's Cricket Ground(Nursery ground).Cambridge: 281 for 3, Oxford: 127 all out.Cambridge win by 154 runs.Having lost the previous five Varsity Matches,Cambridge came to Lord's hopeful that thiswould finally be their year. Oxford won the tossand put Cambridge in to bat on a good track.Openers C Hornsby and S Davis got off to afantastic start and looked unbeatable, howeverOxford found an opening with the run-out ofDavis for 40, the total standing at 94. C Rossjoined Hornsby at the crease and the paircontinued Cambridge's consummate battingperformance, rotating the strike and producingsome impressive shots. The 113-run partnershipended when Ross fell for 45, and was replaced byH Bellfield, who scored a quick-fire 51 off only42 balls. However the mainstay of the Cambridgeinnings was undoubtedly Hornsby whose brilliant119 not out guided Cambridge to an impressivetotal of 281 for 3.Coming out after the break, Cambridge wereeager to improve upon Oxford's wayward fieldingperformance. This they did, saving importantruns on a fast outfield and a short boundary.Every Cambridge bowler maintained a good lineand length, quickly pushing Oxford behind therequired run rate, at which point the wicketsbegan to fall. Medium-pacer R Thompson (2/31)bowled an unplayable length, while spinnersH Bellfield (3/20) and D Lavender (4/20) provedtoo much for the Oxford batters to cope with.Cambridge secured victory with a run-out in the36th over, Oxford finishing all out for 127. Havingfinally tasted victory, Cambridge will return nextyear eager to repeat this excellent performance.39

Other NewsCambridge had a successful outdoor season in2007-08. After two friendlies against local clubteams, the side entered the BUSA competitionwith confidence, pushing for promotion into thepremier divisions. Cambridge dominated in theMidlands league, winning every match by asignificant margin, and progressing comfortablyto the knock-out stages. In the first knock-outmatch they faced Northumbria, and again wereby far the better side, winning by a margin of119 runs. One more victory would meanpromotion for Cambridge, however unfortunatelythis was not to be. Drawn away to Durham, whoare always strong competition, the side lackedmany important players due to exams, anddespite fighting valiantly, lost by 86 runs. Thismeans that next season Cambridge will competein the Midlands league, once again pushing forpromotion into the highest levels of the BUSAcompetition.During the season Cambridge also played twofriendly matches, one against the Army and oneagainst the MCC. These teams always provideincredibly strong competition and a fantasticlearning experience for Cambridge, and the sidelooks forward to facing them again next season.40 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityCruising ClubCambridge University Cruising Club is subdivided into foursections, team racing, casual sailing, windsurfing and yachtingtravelled across the Solent to take on Oxford inthe annual Varsity Match. Unfortunately Oxford,who organised this year’s event, did not put in anorder for the weather.The driving rain andincredibly strong winds made the tactical andfast pace racing incredibly challenging and, attimes, impossible. The Island Sailing Club, whothe sonars belong to, have an insurance policystating that the boats cannot be sailed in greaterthan 25 knots of wind, so the racing wascancelled by 2pm on both days meaning that thetraditional best of seven races could not becompleted by the mixed or ladies teams.www.cucrc.orgPresident: Edwina Glennie (Commodore CUCrC),Gonville & CaiusCaptain: Peter Bunch (Team racing), PembrokeEmma Foster (Ladies team racing), MagdalenePaul Dickenson (Casual Sailing), ChurchillSecretary: Sarah Crossman (Team Racing),Queens’Sarah McGarrity (Casual Sailing), ChurchillSenior Treasurer: Tom Ridgman, Departmentof EngineeringBlues Awarded 2007-08Sophia Parkinson, Gonville & CaiusJules Toynton, Gonville & CaiusHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Greg Hall, Gonville & CaiusAnya de Iongh, Corpus ChristiLissie Lockwood, St John’sPeter Dannatt, St John’sCambridge University Cruising Club is subdividedinto four sections, team racing, casual sailing,windsurfing and yachting.The dinghy sailing section of the CU CruisingClub has facilities both for team racing and casualsailing.The successful CU team competesregularly at events around the country on boththe university and national circuits.Training andcasual sailing take place at Grafham Water, a shorthop up the A14 from Cambridge.The club ownssix matched Firefly dinghies for team racing, aswell as a selection of laser 2s, catamarans andsingle handers for casual sailing.Varsity Match8th-9th July 2008Island Sailing Club, Cowes.Mixed: Oxford 3 – Cambridge 1Ladies: Cambridge 1 – Oxford 0Having had a few weeks to recover from thethrills of Mayweek, the Cambridge Varsity TeamsCambridge arrived confident and in competitivespirits, but the smiles were soon wiped off theirfaces by being defeated by Oxford in the first tworaces through unforced errors both on the startline and around the course. The now demurmixed Varsity Teams then swapped out of theboats so that the freezing, drenched ladies crewscould tackle the Oxford ladies. Cambridge Ladiesflew up to the first mark and had winningcombinations in both races. Downwind therewas a slight change in positions so that Oxfordwere winning by mark three. The ladies rose tothe challenge and successfully locked Oxford upthe final beat, winning both races with a 2,3combination. However, the kicking strap brokeon an Oxford boat so the umpires allowed aredress, leaving Cambridge Ladies only 1-0 in thelead. By the time that the mixed teams hadswapped back into their boats, the wind hadexceeded the 25 knots limit, gusting as high as32 knots so racing was cancelled!41

Day two dawned very wet but with a reasonable15 knots of breeze. The teams set off for theboats, fully dressed in waterproofs, hats, neckwarmers and thermals, determination writtenover everyone! The race committee spent anhour and a half trying to lay a course to suit theconstantly right bearing winds before startingthe race. Unfortunately by this time the windshad climbed to just below the maximum limit.With grim faces the Cambridge team set aboutdestroying Oxford, but unsuccessfully.Cambridge had the lead at the first mark with a1,4,5 combination. Oxford broke this formationby their boat in sixth engaging one of ours in agybing battle and sailing through, leavingCambridge with a losing combination by thebottom mark, not helped by a foul from Oxfordunnoticed by the umpires putting one of theirboats in first. The helms then swapped overaccording to the Varsity tradition of not havingthe same set of helms steering in consecutiveraces. This race was the decider as if Oxford won,they would automatically win as the competitionis traditionally best of seven. Cambridge rose tothe challenge, and finally defeated Oxford in aclose battle with a gust of over 30 knots causingboats to heel dangerously. However, it was toolittle too late as all further racing was abandoneddue to high winds leaving Cambridge mixeddefeated 3-1 and the ladies victorious 1-0.Other NewsFirst Mixed Team;Peter Bunch (captain), PembrokeEdwina Glennie, Gonville & CaiusJamie Dove, RobinsonLissie Lockwood, St John’sGreg Hall, Gonville & CaiusAnya de Iongh, Corpus ChristiCambridge 1sts had a successful year, both on theuniversity and national circuits. Highlightsincluded – 5th overall at BUSA after high windsunfortunately caused the quarter finals to becancelled despite being 1-1 with Southampton,the eventual champions. 12th at the WilsonTrophy (British Open) against worldwide teams.Second Mixed Team:David Marlow (captain), JesusAlice Darling, GirtonPeter Dannatt, St John’sSimon Wood, Jesus/Alice Tyler, St John’sAndrew Lewis, St Catharine’sBarney Dykes, Queens’The second team had a successful year travellinground the northern university circuit thatincluded winning the Nottingham Snakebite andcoming second at Sheffield.The team alsoqualified for BUSA finalsCambridge Ladies TeamEmma Foster (captain), MagdaleneSophia Parkinson, Gonville & CaiusSarah Crossman, Queens’Francesca Lofts, New HallKat Ward, New HallJules Toynton, Gonville & CaiusCambridge Ladies were formed with the aim ofcompeting in the ladies nationals and BUSAladies league. They were first university at theladies nationals and BUSA national champions2008 gaining them a place at the notoriousBritish Open, the Wilson Trophy, competingas the BUSA ladies team representing allBritish Universities.Over the course of the academic year, Cambridgehad a third mixed team competing on theuniversity circuits comprising of Emma Foster,Sophia Parkinson Kat Ward, Jules Toynton, HenryMaxfield and Frances Wensley who gained somevery respectable results from the northernuniversity circuit.42 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge University Windsurfing ClubPresident: Pete Winslow,Trinity Hall/Rici Marshall, Sidney SussexSenior Treasurer: Tom Ridgman, Departmentof EngineeringHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Geoff Wright, Corpus ChristiCUW aims to increase the accessibility of thefantastically diverse sport of Windsurfing for allCambridge students from novice level toadvanced freestyle and racing level. Regularinvolvement at nationwide events hosted by theStudent Windsurfing Association complementweekly student run trips to Grafham Waterreservoir and locations of the east coast. Thehighlight of this year was the trip to Club Dahabin Egypt where 40 students enjoyed top qualitycoaching and predictably fantastic conditions.Off the water, CUW has a strong social spirit, withweekly pub meets, bar crawls and formal swaps.Varsity Match19th April. Farmoor Reservoir, OxfordCambridge VictoryA team of seven windsurfers travelled to Oxfordat Easter to represent Cambridge University inthe annual Varsity Competition. The team of fourmale and three females raced in a close runcompetition against an all male team of eightOxford windsurfers, resulting in anotherCambridge victory.The force four wind and flat water was sufficientto give the competitors the right conditions for aseries of four heated races. The kit used wasIMCO raceboards and 7.5 metre race sails.Although overall first place was taken by Oxford,Michael Crisp of Downing College put in aconsistently solid performance in second place,with Tim Staley of Emmanuel College and GeoffWright of St Johns College close behind in mostof the races.The competition was held with a suitableabundance of team work within the team andsportsmanship between the two sides. We lookforward to a rematch next year and hope that thiscan be enhanced with increased undergraduaterepresentation.Congratulations to Cambridge Uni WindsurfingTeamOther News3rd place in BUSAAttended Student Windsurfing Associationevents.SponsorRiks WatersportsCambridge University Yacht Clubwww.cucrc.orgPresident: Chris Hawkesford, Sidney SussexCaptain: Johann Jakob Napp, PembrokeSecretary: Andrew Jackson, Gonville & CaiusSenior Treasurer: Tom Ridgman, Departmentof EngineeringCambridge University Yacht Club goes fromstrength to strength. In the last year the club hasbought a Sigma 38 yacht, which is going on acircular route of the North Sea over the summervacation.The club runs many theory trainingcourses, and can now start running practicalcourses on the club yacht as well.The club offersa wide range of activities for beginners as well asfor experienced sailors.In addition to casual sailing and sail training, CUYis actively involved in racing through its YachtRacing Squad which was founded in 2003.TheSquad participates in a broad program of racing,comprising both training events and races.Annual highlights in the racing calendar are theBUSA Yachting Nationals and the Varsity YachtRace in spring as well as the Boys vs Girls race inearly summer.Training and racing mainly takesplace in the Solent on chartered racing cruiserssuch as J109s, Cork 1720, X332 or Sunfast 37.Varsity MatchSaturday 15th March – Sunday 16th MarchSolentCambridge I + II both beat Oxford I + IINow in its fifth year, the Varsity Yacht Race tookplace on the weekend 15th-16th of March in the43

Solent just outside Portsmouth.Two mixed teamsfrom Cambridge and two mixed teams fromOxford, each comprising eight sailors, entered theSunsail Spring Racing Series on Sunfast 37s.TheVarsity Match winner was determined as the bestboat within the fleet of 27 boats after four races(with one discard) on two days.After two short inshore races on Saturday(Cambridge I: 17 pts + 10 pts, Cambridge II: 12 pts+ 5 pts, Oxford I: 13pts + 14 pts, Oxford II: 21 pts +23 pts), both Cambridge teams were already wellpositionedfor the following two races. BySaturday night, the boats were moored at theGunwharf Quays just below the Spinnaker Towerin Portsmouth, just in time for the Varsity Dinner,where Oxford and Cambridge transferred thechallenge from the open sea to pint glasses.(Oxford may or may not have dominated thatpart of the challenge...). Continuing the moreserious competition on Sunday, two moreinshore-races were sailed by the four teams. Afterhaving changed a troubling main sail in theprevious night, Cambridge I managed to leadthrough these races (4 pts + 10 pts), finishingbefore Cambridge II (7 pts + 14 pts), Oxford I (17pts + 12 pts) and Oxford II (19 pts + 17 pts).“After two days of racing, taking the discard intoaccount, both Cambridge 1 (skippered by TomSmedley) and Cambridge II (skippered by TimHoughton) finished 24 points in front of Oxford I(39 pts) and Oxford II (57 pts), winning the VarsityYacht Race 2008 and bringing the Varsity Trophyback to Cambridge.Other NewsFollowing the Varsity Yacht Race, the twoCambridge teams stayed on in the Solent toparticipate in the BUSA Student YachtingNationals 2008 from 17th- 20th March 2008.Hosted by the Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club,32 mixed teams with more than 250 sailorsentered this championship, competing onidentical Sunfast 37s.The 32 teams of eight crew competed withineight races on tight Solent courses, including onelong inshore race. Fierce starts, close racing andhugely competitive mark roundings summarizethe character of the event, not forgetting to addcold north-westerly winds and the strongly tidalwaters of the Solent. For an increasing learningcurve as well as for amusement, each racing daywas closed by a video-debrief of the legendaryUK Olympic coach, Jim Saltonstall MBE.After four days of intense racing, Cambridge I(skippered by Tom Smedley) finished at anexcellent 6th overall place (47 points), just beingrestrained from an even better position by abreaking halyard in the last race. Cambridge IIfinished 17th (113 points), still having room onOxford I (21st, 130 points) and 14 other teams.44 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityCycling ClubThis year has been an outstanding success for CUCC– crowned BUSA Cycling Champions 2008http://www.srcf.ucam.org/cycling/President: Mark Holt, Department of ChemistryCaptain: Tom Robinson, Clare (men's) andLindsey Friedman, Department of ArchaeologySecretary: Alistair Bell, JesusSenior Treasurer: Dr Ken Platts, FitzwilliamBlues Awarded 2007-08Rachel Fenton, DarwinHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Tom Morris, Corpus ChristiJames Hawkins, DowningMark Curling, St John'sClaire Hansell, FitzwilliamThis year has been an outstanding success forCUCC – crowned BUSA Cycling Champions 2008,gaining more BUSA points than any other sportsteam in Cambridge and winning the men’s roadVarsity Match following a five year hiatus.Theclub is one of the oldest in the region, founded in1874, and has maintained a tradition ofpromoting cycling at all levels, from completebeginners through to national calibre level andbeyond – indeed, a recent ex-rider fromCambridge gained a silver this year at theOlympics! All types of riding are catered for too –road, cyclocross and mountain bike. Full Bluesand Half Blues can be awarded to outstandingmen and women.Training is flexible, and takesplace in some form every day, from individual andgroup sessions to race simulation and time trialsin conjunction with the town cycling club.Varsity MatchMen's road 3rd May, Womens's road 3rd May,Men's MTB 17th Feb, Women's MTB 17th Feb.Won, Lost, Won, DrawnVarsity Road – BUSA 25 mile TTThis is the most important race of the year forCUCC and we had high hopes of getting ourhands on the Varsity Trophy for the first time in6 years. The results in the BUSA 10 mile TT (matchreport in second section) suggested it would beeasy but we had lost James Third due to BUSA Triand the Oxford team were back to full strength.The results were very close in both the men's andwomen's races.In the men’s event Oxford beat Cambridge in theBUSA competition, taking the silver medal withCambridge in bronze. However, after a few nailbiting minutes it was revealed that one of theOxford riders (Dave McGaw) could not count forthe Varsity Match as he was no longer resident inOxford.This resulted in a Varsity win forCambridge.The team of Tom Morris, JamesHawkins, Mark Curling put in excellentperformances and have each gained a Half Blue.Cambridge also put in a very strong performanceto win the second team Varsity Match easily. Thestrength and depth of the Cambridge team wasamazing with 8 riders going sub 58 minutes forthe 25 mile TT (Making 8 Cambridge riders in thetop 10 in Varsity and top 20 in BUSA).45

In the women's event Rachael Fenton showedshe is good on the road as well as on themountains, with a storming ride to take theindividual gold medal and helping theCambridge women take their third BUSA teamgold in as many races (Rachel Fenton, ClaireHansell). Unfortunately in the Varsity Matchthree riders count, rather than the two neededfor BUSA.This meant it was won by Oxford asour other riders had problems with injuriesand a puncture.Varsity MTBWomen's event: After last years controversy, thepre-race tension was high prior to the predictedbattle for supremacy between Oxford expertwoman Marcie Reinhart and Cambridge’s RachelFenton.The field, to face 3 laps of a twisting butfast course, was small; two Oxford women(Reinhart and Harris) against Cambridge's teamRachel (Fenton and Berkowitz). From the gunMarcie Reinhart tried to take control, leadingHarris off the start. Rachel Fenton remainedcomposed, and taking an alternative line up thefirst hill, drew level with the Oxford pair beforepushing on over-the-top to take the lead.Thiswas a lead Fenty never relinquished. By the end ofthe lap Fenton had 20 seconds over Reinhart andHarris, who were riding together, with RachelBerkowitz, in only her second off-road race, notthat far behind.The situation remained largelyunchanged for the rest of the race, with RachelFenton continuing to assert her dominance andincrease her lead. By the end of the third final lapFenty had amassed a lead of 3 minutes over theOxford pair.The final result: 1. Fenton (CUCC) 2.Reinhart (OUCC) 3. Harris (OUCC) 4. Berkowitz(CUCC). As a result the match was a draw, but itwas very encouraging to see Rachel Fenton insuch impressive form this early in the season.Men's event: In contrast to the Women's event thepositions in the Men's event were constantlychanging over the first two of the four laps.Thankfully this was largely a battle betweenCambridge's team for the honour of who wouldtake the win (and the glory), with only one Oxfordrider ever in contention this was another whitewash on the same scale as the previous years.Tomas Cervenka blasted off the line to lead intothe first section of single track with HenryGomersall (CUCC),Tom Morris (CUCC) andRichard Callow (OUCC) for company,Tomas kept ahigh pace for most of the first lap but begun topay the price for it toward the back end of the lap.Henry Gomersall came charging through to leadat the end of the first lap and through most of thesecond, until he cramped and "couldn't go on."Having kept his powder dry for the first two laps,Tom Morris now took control of the race indominant fashion. Initially only Richard Callow(Oxford) could stay with Morris, but refused tocontribute anything to the pace setting despitethe fact there were another two CUCC riders justbehind. A technical error by Callow allowedMorris to open up a gap and without thesanctuary of Morris's wheel Callow slip graduallyout of contention. Morris continued on alone towin by 2:36 from Callow, who continued to ridestrongly after he had been dropped. Next in wasCervenka (CUCC) followed 19 sec later byGomersall who had recovered from his crampproblem, only another 9 sec down was MarkCurling who rode a very well judged race andmay have challenged for a top 3 spot had his bikenot been on the point of self-destructing.Other NewsBUSA Team Time Trial (50km)For many this was the first race of the season anda chance to put into practice the hard workeveryone had put in over the winter.In Women's BUSA TTT the gold medal went toCambridge (Claire Hansell, Sonia Bracegirdle andKat Lange).The team rode well together to take anarrow victory (from Oxford) in a very close racewhere all the women’s teams finished within aminute of each other.In the Men's BUSA TTT the silver medal went toCambridge (Mark Holt, James Hawkins and MarkCurling). Again showing the importance of notonly individual fitness but also the importance ofriding well together as a team.BUSA 10 mile TTOn our home course CUCC dominated, takingboth the men's and women's team gold and twoindividual silver medals. The strength and depthof the teams also showed with the men's andwomen's second team both narrowly missing outon the medals.The men's race saw an amazing perfomance byTom Morris with a time of 21.16 in his secondever time trial, taking the BUSA individual silvermedal and leading Cambridge to the team gold(Tom Morris, James Third, James Hawkins).The performance by the women was also greatwith Angharad Porteous taking the individualsilver and along with Claire Hansell taking theteam gold for Cambridge.46 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

BUSA CyclocrossWith much apprehension about what theweather would throw at us, seven CUCC ridersdrove over to Swansea this weekend for the BUSAcyclocross. Since Gareth Hayman's parents live a3 minute drive away from the course we allcamped out there on Saturday night and thenrolled down the hill to the venue on Sundaymorning, feeling relatively refreshed and certainlyvery well looked after. After arriving very early, wehad to wait for the course to be finished beforewe could try it out and even longer before wecould sign on! However when we did finally seethe course it turned out to be pretty untechnical(suiting some and not others) and involving somenasty grass and mud uphill slogs. 1pm:The men'srace began with Chris Pedder taking his place inthe first row along with a world championshipcross racer and various elite mountain bikers. Hissupport crew of Tom Morris, Mark Holt, GarethHayman and Sunil Shah lined up behind. Peddergot a good start staying easily in the top ten withthe others not far behind.The top three positionsseemed pretty clear from the outset, MarkTwaites of Leeds Met, Mark Cotton ofLeicestershire and Hamish Batchelor fromDurham. However, the Swansea race organiserEuan Adams had a mid-race surge, shedding histeam-mate and eventually taking third place.Pedder also had a surge, into 6th place not farbehind the second Swansea team member. Hestayed here for the rest of the race finishingahead of elite riders, in what was an impressiveride.The rest of the Cambridge team also faredwell, Morris finished not far behind in 10th place,our esteemed president and roadie Holt was alittle further back in 17th (not bad for his 3rdoffroad race!) with Hayman and Shah 36th and40th respectively.With our top three finishers allin the top 20 we took the silver medal (Swanseatook gold rather convincingly with 3rd, 4th and7th!). 1pm and 30 seconds:The women's racestarted rather unsurely due to some ratherconfusing organisation! However stutteringly itbegan and the defending champion AbbieThorrington stormed into the lead. Cambridge'sRachel Fenton was hot on her tail and feelingpretty strong with team-mate Sonia Bracegirdlenot too far back. About half way round the firstlap,Thorrington cleverly got the back of themen's field between her and Fenton and a littlefurther on Loughborough rider Jessica Robertsflew past at what seemed like light speed on thehorrid grassy climb. Undeterred Fentoncontinued to ride hard and was soon joined byBracegirdle who stayed hot on her wheels for therest of the race.With no other women in sightthey maintained position until the last lap whenthe fresher feeling Bracegirdle came past to take3rd place closely followed by Fenton. Such aclosely matched team is unheard of in women'scross riding so CUCC rather convincingly took thewomen's team gold!National 100 Mile Time TrialIn order to meet part of the Blues criteria, it isnecessary to place in the top 50 in a Nationalcompetition.To this end,Tom Morris and JamesHawkins ended up doing the National 100 sincethe earlier national competitions fell the daybefore Hawkins’ exams, whilst Morris meanwhilewas hospitalised due to gastroenteritis.The pairtherefore spent the weekend in Wales tocompete on a rather hilly course, with Hawkinsand Morris coming 19th and 24th respectivelyboth in just over 4 hours.Thanks to Gerald, James’brother, whose help in providing drinks andstaying close to us with the car in case ofpunctures was invaluable!A Few Other Highlights1st Victoria CC 10.2 Mile 3-up1st Hillingdon Criterium1st in over 10 local time trialsConsistent top 5 individual positions in opentime trialsSpring training camp in Andalusia, and Summertraining camp in the French Alps (thanks to theBonneville family for their incredible hospitality)47

Beijing ExperienceRoad race and time trialEmma PooleyThe morning of the Olympic time trial dawnedclear and sunny.That was a relief; I’d been halfexpecting the weather to bowl another fast oneas it had three days earlier for the road race (124 kmin torrential, monsoonal rain and temperatures thatfelt cold after all our heat acclimatisation training).The course was on a 24 km loop in the hills north ofthe city, around the picturesque Badaling section ofthe Great Wall. Stunning scenery, although I didn’tpay much attention to it while racing…In a time trial you ride against the clock, startingon your own separated by two minutes from theriders in front and behind. I was one of theearliest starters in a seeded field, so there wasn’tmuch point getting feedback down the raceradio on time splits from the riders ahead of me.Instead there was a stream of encouragementand cajolement in my ear the whole way from theteam manager in the car following behind.Thefirst half of the course was essentially a longclimb – my speciality – on a narrow road windingup the hillside: steep in places, but with a fewshort descents. Even if I do like big hills, it waspainful- you can’t let yourself rest for a secondand when you’re hurting all over it’s easy to thinkyou’re having a shocking day. I felt like I wascrawling pathetically slowly up the road, breathrasping and sweat dripping off my nose. By thetime I got to the top I’d overtaken the rider whostarted 2 minutes in front of me, which meant shewas having an even worse day than me! Thecourse then looped round to descend on a dualcarriageway, a wide road with fast sweeping48 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008bends and a few tunnels. I stuck the chain in itsbiggest gear and tucked down as small as I couldto hide from the wind. It seemed to go on forever… Finally there was the 1km marker and Irounded one last tight bend for the short steepclimb back up to the finish line.I was almost sick from the effort when I sloweddown to stop.Thankful it was over, and pleasedwith how I’d raced- I had the fastest time up tothen. I knew it wouldn’t stick, that I wouldn’t evenbe in the medals, but nonetheless I felt I’d given iteverything and couldn’t have ridden even a secondfaster – you can’t ask for more than that. I wasushered over to the“hot seat”– where the fastestrider waits, watched by everyone, until someoneelse finishes with a better time and displaces them.I wasn’t nervous – just interested to see how muchfaster the favourites would go. It got tense though,as more and more finished.The GB team managerwas jumping up and down, getting excited:“Topten, you’re definitely top ten!”Nine, eight, seven…I was beginning to get jumpy myself.When KristinArmstrong came in 24 seconds up it was almost arelief to have my expectations confirmed.She was the only one though, to myastonishment. I couldn’t be sure of having amedal until the penultimate rider had finishedwhenit was certain I had the silver I broke outinto a daft grin that didn’t disappear for severalhours! Then everything went a bit crazy withpress, dope control, photos, phone calls, and morepress...The only brief moment of calm was thepodium ceremony, waiting on my step for themedal with that music playing and the backdropof the hills and the Wall stretching out behind.It was surprisingly heavy, the ribbon too long sothat it looked slightly ridiculous. It didn’t spoil themoment though.

Cambridge UniversityEton Fives ClubThe Eton Fives Club is one of the oldersports clubs at the UniversityIn an even more closely fought third pair match,in which three games were ‘set’, James Womersleyand William Illingworth emerged as victors, thusgiving Cambridge a clean sweep. 12-6, 12-15,12-15, 14-12, 12-7.This year we had three women practisingregularly, one of whom was a novice, andmanaged to hold a Ladies Varsity Match for thesecond year running. Although our pair weredefeated by Oxford’s First Pair, they beat Oxford’sSecond Pair and we hope that we can field moreladies pairs in upcoming years.President: Rodney Knight, JesusCaptain: Mike Birkett, EmmanuelSecretary: Julian Black, Christ’sSenior Treasurer: Dr P Reynolds, MagdaleneHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08James O’Callaghan, St Edmund’sJamie Potts, EmmanuelMike Birkett, EmmanuelRobert Desmond, Corpus ChristiJames Womersley, MagdaleneWilliam Illingworth, Queens’The Eton Fives Club is one of the older sportsclubs at the University, established in the 1920'swith the first Varsity Match in 1927.The clubmeets three times a week at the court atMagdalene and is hoping to expand, with thepromise of two new courts on the WestCambridge Site.There are three to five matches aterm for both the Blues and the 2nd team, thePenguins, the highlight being the Varsity Match inlate February. Players also compete at all themajor national championships for which traveland accommodation is organised.The sport hasHalf-Blue status.Varsity Match24th February 2008, EtonBlues won 3-0, Penguins (2nd VI) lost 1-2,Ladies lost 0-1In the 80th Varsity Match, the Blues defeatedOxford for the fourth consecutive year. It was alsothe first time since 2001 that a 3-0 score line wasrecorded. Unfortunately the Seconds were notable to match Oxford’s considerable strength indepth and went down 2-1.There was a strong Highgate presence on the firstcourt where the Cambridge pair, JamesO’Callaghan and Robert Desmond, bothCholmeleians, proved too strong for Oxford andwon comfortably in three sets 12-3, 14-13, 12-5.On the second court, illness caused a late call toJamie Potts, another Cholmeleian, to partner theCambridge captain, Michael Birkett. In spite ofPotts’s lack of practice, Cambridge came throughpowerfully to win the fifth set. 13-12, 5-12, 4-12,12-6, 12-7.Following the match, a reception and dinner,generously sponsored by Pol Roger Champagne,was held at Eton.Other NewsThe Club played a great deal of Fives in theMichaelmas Term.We played a match againstIpswich and the Old Cholemians, and enteredteams in the Universities Championship, theLondon Tournament, and the CountyChampionships. Cambridge’s first pair of MikeBirkett and James O’Callaghan won theUniversities Championship and encouraginglythe Cambridge Second Pair of James Womersleyand Will Illingworth defeated Oxford’s First.In the Lent Term we entered the EFA Trophywhere we produced a fine team display tonarrowly miss out on qualification for the semifinals.Wealso organised a large fixture against avery strong Highgate side that gave many playerstheir first competitive match of the season.SponsorPol Roger49

Cambridge UniversityFencing ClubCUFC strives to support fencing at all levelsthroughout the Universityhttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/cufence/President: Ailsa Keating, ClareCaptain: Alex O’Connell, ChurchillMary Cohen, FitzwilliamSecretary: Anya Jones, FitzwilliamSenior Treasurer: Geoffrey Grimmet,Churchill/Department of MathematicsBlues Awarded 2007-08Anthony Crutchett, DowningChris Greensides, ClareAlex O’Connell, ChurchillDanny Ryan, Gonville & CaiusHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Mary Cohen, FitzwilliamAilsa Keating, ClareHeide Niesalla, FitzwilliamAnya Jones, FitzwilliamAgnes Foglein, Gonville & CaiusAlina Sartogo, HomertonIsabel Winney, GirtonZach Eaton-Rosen, ClareJan-Oliver Frohlich, RobinsonTom Most, JesusDaniel Summerbell, Gonville & CaiusClub Colours Awarded 2007-08India Martin, Queens’Lucy Greenwood, NewhallSarah Scholtz, HomertonVicky Rennie, PembrokeVicky Bradley, Gonville & CaiusZoe De Beer, GirtonLaura Sutcliffe, ClareEwan Galloway,King’sJack Shotton,TrinityTom Williams, ClareGiles Strachan,Trinity HallSpencer Bullent, JesusDaniel Hagon, Hughes HallRichard Booth, St Catharine’sCUFC strives to support fencing at all levelsthroughout the University, first and foremost toequip teams to compete in the BUSAchampionships and the Varsity Match tothe highest possible standard, but also todevelop fencing from a beginners level for thewhole University.Varsity MatchOxford University, Exam Schools, February 23rd2008Men’s 1sts: Oxford 108-102 CambridgeMen’s 2nds: Oxford 124 – 119 CambridgeWomen’s 1sts: Oxford 123-105 CambridgeWomen’s 2nds: Oxford 65- 89 CambridgeThe Men’s Blues Varsity Match saw fencing of anincredibly high standard with both sides litteredwith internationals.The sabre startedproceedings and although captain AlexO’Connell showed signs of nerves, AnthonyCrutchett and Danny Ryan showed theirundoubted class throughout and with O’Connellraising his game in the last two fights, the trioscored a convincing 45-18 victory to provide anexcellent base for the match.Next up was foil, traditionally Oxford’s strongestdiscipline, but strong performances from ZachEaton-Rosen and Dan Summerbell, eagerlyassisted by Ryan and O’Connell pegged Oxfordback.The Dark Blues eventually pulled away to win45-26, so still Cambridge retained the advantage.50 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Lastly to the epee, which was one of the tightestaffairs in living memory. Cambridge began wellthrough debutants Tom Most and J-O Frohlichand with veteran Chris Greensides pegging backthe Oxford captain the omens were good forCambridge. However, Oxford’s trio ofinternationals showed their undoubted ability,accelerating away from Cambridge to giveGreensides too much to do in the last bout. After26 out of 27 fights, Cambridge were only onepoint behind overall, but as Greensides wasforced to chase the match, things became harderand eventually Oxford ran out victors.The matchmay not have ended well for the Cambridgeteam, but the performance was courageous andgutsy from an inexperienced team; things lookpromising for 2009.The Men’s Seconds (Cutthroats) match wasextremely close for the second year running.Opening the Bill was epee – a last minute changeof order since transport issues meant the rest ofthe team had to arrive later. Despite goodperformances from Giles Strachan and ZoltanSolstesz and a promising 5 -1 start to theCutthroats, the Oxford Assassins were leadingheavily into the last bout 40-21. After a heroiccome back attempt by Tom Williams, defeatinghis opposite number 14-4, the score was pulledback to 35-44, which left the Cutthroats with it allto do.Sabre came next, and again the Assassins lookedthe stronger. However, after Spencer Bullent putin an impressive 13-3 to bring the Cutthroats intothe lead it was pretty much plain sailing forSpencer,Tom and Dan Hagon.The score finishedat 45-35 to the Cutthroats with the total scoreslevel at 79 a piece, putting all the pressure on foil.Needing to win the weapon made for a lastminute change of tactics, which left theCutthroats more to do than they had hoped for.After substituting Spencer for the Captain,Richard Booth, who had failed to find form on theday, and a strong performance from Jack Shotton,the Cutthroats went into the final bout only40-38 up leaving a tough job for Ewan Galloway.His opponent, Matthew Shearman proved toostrong eventually winning the match for theOxford Assassins.The women’s firsts started nervously with sabre,losing 45-39 to a surprisingly strong Oxford side,but Anya Jones, with some decisive repostes,made up a lot of lost ground. Cambridge’sstrongest suit, epee, then followed, in whichCambridge needed to win by a large margin sothat Oxford could not catch up in the last – andtheir strongest – weapon, foil. Oxford’s captainSophie Troiano, usually a foilist, turned out to be astronger epeeist than predicted and Cambridgecaptain Mary Cohen could not build the lead sheneeded. Ailsa Keating and Heide Neisalla fencedwell and Cohen found better form in the closingfight to finish 44-33 but overall the Light Blueswere only 5 hits ahead entering the foil. Oxford’sfoil team of Troiano, a former world class under 20,and her athletic companions were too great aforce and we lost 45-22,having put up a brave fight.Oxford women’s seconds were an unknownquantity, but with two former first team fencersand three experienced pentathletes Cambridgewere fairly confident. Foil came first, with anaggressive fight from Zoe de Beer, followed by a10-2 win from Vicky Bradley, which putCambridge firmly in the lead.This was held easily,and Light Blues won with a clear 20 point margin,despite valiant attempts by Oxford to regain thematch in the last fight. In epee Cambridgedominated Oxford, with notable performancesfrom pentathlete captain Lucy Greenwood andsabreur Sarah Scholtz. Despite it being their onlymatch, Cambridge’s 2nd team spirit and skill leftOxford far behind, winning 89 – 65.Other NewsMen’s 1sts:The Men’s Blues won the BUSA SouthermPremiership, winning 7 matches and losing justone. At the BUSA finals weekend in Sheffield, theteam comfortably beat Oxford in the semi-finalsbefore losing a tight match against NorthernChampions Northumbria University, who boasted5 fencers in their ranks, all on scholarships. Overall,although the team never strives for anything otherthan winning, 2nd place was a creditable return ona difficult season by all accounts.Alex O’Connell represented Great Britain at the2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, finishing 39th. Hequalified by finishing 2nd at the European ZonalTournament in Istanbul and was the only Britonto qualify for the Games by right.Anthony Crutchett and Alex O’Connellrepresented Great Britain at Under 20 level at theEuropean Championships in Prague, 2007) andthe World Championships in Sicily (2008).Men’s 2ndsAfter losing the first match in the BUSA Leaguethis year the seconds performed well, losing onlyone other match to finish 3rd in the League andqualify for the Trophy Competition.51

Unlucky seeding drew them against eventualfinalists Kings College London, who knockedthem out in the first round despite the strongestperformance of the year, with everyone fencingwell, and coming together as a team for the firsttime in the year.Foilist Jason Yuen made it to the last 8 in theBUSA individual competition, doing better thanany other foilist in the club this year.Women’s 1stsThe women’s team did disappointingly in theBUSA championships, losing to a strongEdinburgh side in the quarter finals, who we drewbased on faulty seeding and then had to fencewith an incomplete team. However, there wassome individual success from the epeeists, withHeide Neisalla winning silver medals in theNorfolk and Cambridge Opens and Mary Cohen,as reigning national champion, representingGreat Britain at Under 23 level at the EuropeanChampionships in Monza, in May 2008 andEngland at the Senior 5 nations in March 2008.Based on the enthusiasm and high standard offencing of the women’s second team at theVarsity Match, we have entered a second teaminto the BUSALeague for next season.SponsorAllstar Uhlmann UK52 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008Beijing ExperienceMy viewAlex O'ConnellI arrived at the Olympic Village on August 7thand was lucky enough to attend the OpeningCeremony. One thing sticks in my mind fromthat evening, not my first view of thebreathtaking Bird’s Nest Stadium, not hearing90,000 people cheer every time a countrywent in, not the deafening roars when Chinaarrived last of all, but the feeling and the viewlooking down the tunnel going into thestadium and seeing the light at the end – theinside of the stadium, where my Olympiccareer would begin. I was not prepared for thefeeling I had walking into the stadium, one ofexcitement, intense pride, and also ofgratitude, to everyone who had got me thisfar. I found it difficult at times preparing for anindividual event in the build up to the Games,and without an amazing team of friendsaround me I would never have made it ontothe piste, so to them I am eternally grateful.The actual day of my event is rather a blur, butmy clearest memory and one that will staywith me forever is walking out to the pistewhere I would compete, seeing my family andfriends in the stands and knowing that thiswas it, the biggest moment of my career so far.I remember enjoying it for a split second – justlong enough to savour – before getting backto the job in hand. In many ways I had beentrying to tell myself that this would be justanother competition and in some ways it was,but just for a second here, I really felt themagic, what sets the Olympics apart fromanything else on the planet.I fenced well, and although I may have lost,I am proud of my performance; I gave iteverything I had, never gave up and finally lostto someone who is a great fencer in his ownright. One of my goals was to come back withno regrets, and although I obviously regretlosing, I know there was nothing else I couldhave done in the build up to the event, andthat is the thing that helped me to pick myselfup after the Games.The rest of my time in Beijing was somethingof a blur, but all I remember thinking the dayafter my event was that four years is a verylong time, and I have a great chance to dosomething special in that period; I am nowmore determined than ever to take thatopportunity, and have a much better chancein London.

Cambridge UniversityRugby Fives ClubCURFC exists to facilitate the continuation of a longand successful history of fives in Cambridgewww.cu-sparrows.org.ukPresident: Bob Dolby Esq.Captain: Richard Lebon,TrinitySecretary: Chris Jones, EmmanuelSenior Treasurer: Dr P Reynolds, MagdaleneCambridge & OxfordHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Alan Beverly, GirtonRichard Lebon,TrinityChris Jones, EmmanuelAlqahir Ladak, Christ'sMalcolm Reid, St John'sPaul Simister,TrinityRupert Walter, St John'sCharles Compton, St John'sCURFC exists to facilitate the continuation of along and successful history of fives in Cambridge.We both train and play matches on a weeklybasis, as well as entering the BUSA and nationalU25s tournaments, working each year towardsthe culmination of the season at the VarsityMatch. Currently, with a lamentable lack of courtsin Cambridge, which have been promised withthe construction of the new West Cambridgesports complex, we train at Oundle school.Varsity MatchSaturday 16th February, 2008; St Paul's School,HammersmithLost 260-193Cambridge got off to a good start in the singles,with U25s title-holder Alan Beverly inflicting astrong defeat on BUSA champion Dan Tristao, andRichard Lebon claiming a victory over the Oxfordcaptain. Moving into the doubles with a slightlead, Oxford's strength in the 2nd IV began toshow, reflecting a common story in recent yearswith the lack of home courts in Cambridge.Beverly and Lebon inflicted further defeats in thedoubles, and there was a determined resistanceand spirited fight from all three further pairs, butsadly Oxford's lower seeds once held on to claimthe match. In a similar vein, the Sparrows lost tothe Oxford Beavers, but it was satisfying to beable to field a stronger Sparrows four than hasrecently been possible.Other NewsAlan Beverly: Runner-up in BUSA Tournament,Christ's Hospital School, 25th November 2007Alan Beverly: National U25s Champion, MerchantTaylor's School, 9th February 200853

Cambridge UniversityGliding ClubThe CU Gliding Club offers piloting instructionfor all levels of glider pilotsheight gains. In the end though, a trio of strongperformances from Nick Laux, Adam Spikings andPeter Buchlovsky sealed the day, with useventually winning by 112 points to 85.Other NewsMany of our members join the club with noprevious gliding experience and for them theirmost important achievement is flying solo for thefirst time. It takes many months of hard work toget to this stage so we would like to recognisethis achievement.Well done!www.cugc.org.ukPresident: Kate Woods, Lucy CavendishCaptain: Martin Hughes, St Catharine’sSecretary: Nick Laux,Trinity HallSenior Treasurer: Dr Peter O’Donald, EmmanuelClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Martin Hughes, St Catharine’sPeter Buchlovsky, FitzwilliamNick Laux,Trinity HallAdam Spikings, MagdaleneRebecca Ward, GirtonThe CU Gliding Club offers piloting instruction forall levels of glider pilots from Beginner toNational Standard through our links to the largerCambridge Gliding Centre.We have a long history dating back to 1935, anera when gliding was still in its infancy, but wehave kept up to date with progress and weregularly send members to compete at regionaland national level.Varsity MatchJuly 2007, RAF Bicester (Oxford home)Cambridge wonAfter a defeat at home in 2006, Cambridgearrived at RAF Bicester eager to take back theVarsity Trophy. As was the case for much of theseason, the weather was proving to be ratheruncooperative. However, by early afternoon thesky cleared enough that the match could begin.Soaring conditions remained very difficult andboth teams found it hard to make significantThree of our members have flown solo for thefirst time this year:- Max Bautin- Graham Bell- Julia RobsonSince the early days of gliding in the 1920s,individual progress has been recognised by theaward of badges. A bronze badge is awarded fordemonstrating successful soaring flight, precisionlandings and passing flying and written exams.Further levels of achievement are recognised bySilver and Gold badges and up to threeDiamonds which are awarded by the WorldAirsports Federation.This year the bronze badge was awarded to PeterBuchlovsky, Max Bautin and Graham Bell. Inaddition, Rebecca Ward gained her cross-countryendorsement and Adam Spikings his 100kmDiploma. Peter was also awarded a silver badgeand Rebecca represented the club at the 2007Inter-University Gliding Task Week and came in arespectable 8th place.54 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

For experienced pilots the most intense andrewarding aspect of the sport is competitiveglider racing.This involves up to fifty glidersracing hundreds of kilometres across the countryto see who can fly fastest around a set ofcheckpoints. It takes months to prepare both thepilot and the machine and competitions last upto nine days. Succeeding is considered to be thepinnacle of achievement in the sport.This year Kate Woods and Peter Buchlovskyrepresented Cambridge in the Inter-Club Leagueround held at Husbands Bosworth with RebeccaWard as crew. Both did well, winning a day each.Kate also finished 10th on the British JuniorNational Ladder. Congratulations also toNick Laux who came third when defending his2006 title of German Junior NationalDecentralised Champion.Club alumni also continue to impress on thenational and international stage. Emily Todd (a2006 graduate) was crowned as the 2007 BritishGliding Aerobatics Champion (Sports Class) andanother ex-member has made it onto the SeniorBritish Team for the next World Championship.55

Cambridge UniversityGolf ClubThe Golf Club caters for low-handicap and social golfers,with a rapidly developing ladies sectionhttp://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cugcPresident: (Senior) Sir Roger Tomkys, PembrokeCaptain: Benoit Ramsay, Girton (Blues),Leanne Mullen, Corpus Christi (Ladies)Secretary: James Whittington, St John’s (Club)Senior Treasurer: Dennis Murphy, MagdaleneBlues Awarded 2007-08Thomas Woolsey, Queens’Benoit Ramsay, GirtonRuaraidh Stewart, PeterhouseChris Robinson, RobinsonJack Hickmore, Queens’James Whittington, St John’sAmir Habibi, Queens’David Chapman,TrinityJohn Valley, Gonville and CaiusDavid Normoyle, Gonville and CaiusClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Ben Tolley, JesusJames Binning, SelwynPaddy Croft,TrinityStephen Barnett, St Catharine’sDavid Duncan, JesusWill Woolsey, MagdaleneAdam Sivner, St John’sJon Sharples, FitzwilliamIain McNamara, RobinsonMark Whitman, PembrokeJamie McFarlane, PeterhouseOli Southall, St John’sThe University Golf Club caters for low handicapgolfers (Blues Team and 2nd Team) as well as forsocial (higher handicap) golfers via its ‘In-Laws’arm.The Ladies Section is also rapidly developing.Both Mens teams play a full fixture list againstclubs in the south of England, with the climax ofthe season the Varsity Match against Oxford,hosted at a different venue every year.Varsity MatchRoyal Liverpool, Hoylake. Blues: 27th – 29th March/Ladies: 26th MarchBlues Lost 8 – 7, Mens 2nd Lost 8.5-6.5,Ladies Won 5.5 – 3.5Men (Blues):After good performances from James Binningand Ben Tolley in the Dinner (Reserve) Match theprevious day still fresh in their minds, the Bluesstrode confidently into battle in the strong windsand driving rain of the Wirral on the first morningof the 119th University Golf Match.Friday’s foursomes were well-contested,Cambridge running out 3-2 down after strongperformances from four of the new blues.Needing only a 6-4 win in Saturday’s singles,spirits remained high. Alas, this was to prove alittle too much. Cambridge won the top threematches to give hope to the gathering LightBlues, but Oxford’s strong middle order held onfor five points. In the only singles game to head tothe last hole, David Normoyle, playing the golf ofhis life, just missed out against former Germanand Italian Amateur Champion Claudio Consul.Men (2nd / Stymies):The Stymies battled valiantly at Formby, losing bya narrow margin against a strong OUGC Divotsteam. In the morning foursomes, Oxford werequicker out of the blocks, emerging victorious inthe top two games. However, heavy 5&4 winsfrom the pairings of Duncan & McNamara andSouthall & Whitman in the middle order leveledthe scores. However, Cambridge headed intolunch 3-2 behind after a strong performancefrom the bottom Oxford pair. In the afternoon,Captain Paddy Croft raised Cambridge spirits bybeating his Oxford counterpart off top in thesingles. However, the Oxford middle order nowproved stronger, and despite wins from Sivnerand Duncan at the bottom of the order, Oxfordedged the singles 5.5-4.5 for an 8.5-6.5 victory.56 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Ladies:This year saw the 11th Ladies Varsity match atRoyal Liverpool golf club with both sides fieldingvery strong teams. Oxford were clear favouriteswith 6 returning players, whilst Cambridge had lessvarsity experience with only 2 returning players.Morning conditions were good as the foursomesmatches headed out.The first Cambridge pairingof Leanne Mullen and Louisa Tarn started welland were looking comfortable for a win, howeveran Oxford fight back left the match headingdown the last. However, the determination andquality play by the Cambridge pair meant theyheld on for a 1 up victory.The remaining twomatches were also to go down the 18th. A win bysecond pairing Jenny Heathcote and MichaleaBacon and half from third pairing Rebecka Ahland Katie Taylor left the Cambridge team in astrong position heading in to the afternoon.The singles match draw took place at lunch timeand found Oxford loading their strength at thetop of the field whilst Cambridge chose to spreadit through out.This resulted in large Oxfordvictories in the first two matches and themomentum swinging towards the Dark Blues.Fresher Louisa Tarn was to boost the Cambridgeteam with a strong performance outclassing heropponent and securing the first point forCambridge in the afternoon. An early 6&5 victoryby captain Jenny Heathcote in the 6th match leftthe Cambridge team in need of only a half fromone of the remaining two matches. Both matcheswere tense and it was Leanne who went on tohole the winning putt in front of a crowd ofexcited fans and teammates.The overall result was 5.5-3.5 to Cambridge –only the third time that Cambridge have wonthe trophy.Other NewsClub Matches:Blues:Won 7Drew 3Lost 21This included beating a very strong YaleUniveristy team on tour in the UK.Other:Two members: participation in the Boyd Quaichat St Andrews GC (R&A).Several members: participation in the President’sPutter at Rye GC.57

Cambridge UniversityOlympic Gymnastics ClubThe Club is able to cater for gymnasts of all levelsfrom beginners to international competitorshttp://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/gymclub/President: Josefin Larsson, Corpus Christi/James Watson, SelwynCaptain: Alex Hedges, Fizwilliam/Lucy Osborne, NewnhamSecretary: Emma Budge,Trinity HallSenior Treasurer: Professor R Weber, Queens’Blues Awarded 2007-08Sophie Skillen, St Catharine’sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Emma Budge,Trinity HallHarriet Clough, RobinsonSophie Durham, EmmanuelTheresa Hall, Sidney SussexThe club is able to cater for gymnasts of all levelsfrom beginners to international competitors.Wehave coaches of different levels at all sessions andtake part in numerous university competitionsVarsity MatchSaturday 16th February, Huntingdon OlympicGymnastics ClubMen’s team – second placeMen’s individual – first placeWomen’s A – second placeWomen’s B – first placeThis year’s Varsity Gymnastics Match was packedwith the highest level of competition yet seen atthe event.This year it took place in the elitesurroundings of Huntingdon Olympic GymnasticsClub (HOGC), home of the top gymnasts Britainhas to offer and some of our best medal hopesfor Beijing. It is this club which has helped AlexHedges, the Cambridge Men’s Captain and Coach,reach the international level he has enjoyed sincethe Commonwealth Games in Melbourne andbefore. Over the last 3 years plenty of thisexperience has made its way through to theother Cambridge team members and thanks tosome tireless efforts from the gymnasts involvedthe team has become deeper and stronger thanever before.Two other members of theCambridge team; Jeff Wheeler, and James Watson,had some experience of the Varsity Match, thisbeing Jeff’s second and James’s third.The rookiemembers of the team this year were, MichaelAndrew, Maxim Daniline and Luke Dalby.Mathew Bullimore, the Oxford captain andpreviously a member of HOGC, was one of thetop competitors in Britain not long ago and hasalso claimed the gold medal at the BUSAchampionships for Oxford. Since arriving atOxford he has used his individual skill and hisknowledge of the sport to boost the Oxford teamto new and successful heights.This year he wasaided by the efforts of Simon Haenni; recently amember of the Swiss national squad.The Cambridge team showed superb consistencyfrom all team members over all 6 events, anddespite being a relatively inexperienced teamcompared to the Oxford contingent they wereable to hold their ground on most apparatus,even pulling out a large winning margin on thevault.The very impressive Oxford squad howevermanaged some great consistency too and theirtwo star performers packed in the difficulty.Despite a shaky time for the Oxford team onvault, the scores were very tight over floor, ringsand high bar.The strong Oxford team took fulladvantage of their strength on pommels andparallel bars however, and it was this whichenabled them to re-take the team title fromCambridge this year, Cambridge having won itlast year for the first time in 4 years.58 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

In the individual competition, despite a typicalclean and solid performance from Bullimore andsome spectacular skills shown by Haenni, Alex’sexperience at competitions around the worldand his stylish, exciting work proved unbeatableand he was crowned the Individual Championfor the 3rd year running. His exceptional scoreof 85.1 over the 6 pieces of apparatus was wellclear of second place and once again well intothe Blue standard.Jeff Wheeler put last years shocking high bar fallbehind him to produce a stunning set of veryadvanced routines. He just missed a medal in4th place but did hit the Half Blue standard forthe second year running. Only an unusually lowpommels score stopped James Watson in 6thfrom hitting it a second time as well. James’sclean and impressive work, especially in some ofthe team’s weaker areas, was a massive boost tothe team throughout the event and also its buildup. A big hope for the future, Luke Dalby,managed some very impressive scores on the3 apparatus he worked for Cambridge as aspecialist, getting close to the Half Blue standarddespite restricted preparation and an injuredhamstring. Michael Andrew and Maxim Danilineboth showed massive improvement over theselection months leading up to the event as theylocked in their positions on the squad.They usedsome very advanced skills to great effect.Theirproven ability to nail their routines every timewas critical and on every apparatus it was thesetwo who formed the solid foundation that theteam was able to build on. All members of theteam performed exceptionally, earningthemselves University Colours and showing greatpotential for the next few years.The women’s competition was closely foughtwith impressive performances from both teams.In the end it was Oxford who narrowly claimedthe Women’s A Team Title. Only one of the fivemembers of the Women’s A Team had previouslycompeted in Varsity so there are goodfoundations for a strong team next year. HarrietClough put in a notable performance winningthe women’s vault competition and SophieSkillen stuck to the beam to take the highestbeam score of the day. Sophie was narrowlypipped to the women’s all round title and will beback with a vengeance to claim it next year.In the B Team Competition Lucy Osborne tookthe overall title and the Cambridge womencomfortably won the team event. Cali Taylor, alast minute addition to the team took 3rd place inthe Individual Competition with Nicola Pocockcoming a close 4th.All of the Women’s A Team reached Half Bluestandard indicating the high level of competitionthis year and Sophie Skillen went on to secure aFull Blue, coming 4th in the all round competitionat BUSA.Other NewsMaxim Daniline, Luke Dalby and Michael Andrewall earned University Colours for theirperformances in the Varsity Match.The men’scaptain Alex Hedges overcame some nigglinginjuries over the course of the year to win theIsle of Man national title and represent the Islandat the Northern European Championships. Alexalso took a record breaking 11 gold, 2 silver and2 bronze medals at the Natwest InternationalIsland Games.Sophie Skillen put in a very impressiveperformance at BUSA securing fourth place and aFull Blue with her high level tumbling skills.59

Cambridge UniversityHare and Hounds (Cross Country)The Hare and Hounds is the University’sRunning Club dating back to pre-1870www.srcf.ucam.org/cuhh/President: Dr Joan Lasenby, Departmentof EngineeringCaptain: Andrew Duncan, Girton (Club Captain),Harriet Owles, Selwyn (Womens Captain)Secretary: John Redshaw,Trinity HallSenior Treasurer: Dr Neil Mathur, ChurchillBlues Awarded 2007-08Paolo Natali, Christ’sJames Kelly, JesusOwain Bristow, Queens’Matt Armstrong,Trinity HallMatt Grant, Queens’Matt Clark, HomertonAnna Anderson, GirtonCharlotte Roach,TrinityHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Scott Knackstedt, DowningDavid Yu,TrinityLaura Spence, WolfsonAngharad Porteous, JesusPolly Keen, New HallHarriet Owles, SelwynStella Deakin, GirtonThe Hare and Hounds is the University's RunningClub. Dating back to pre-1870, CUH&H is one ofthe oldest running clubs in the world. It is alsoone of only 12 Full-Blue sports clubs in theUniversity and yet in no way is it elitist: it gives allof its members the opportunity to compete forthe University throughout the year. Fromcommitted, serious athletes to beginners andfun-runners, everyone is welcome and a valuedmember of the team.Though primarily a cross-country running club(especially in the winter months), we cater for allaspects of running. In the spring and summer,many of our athletes focus on the track andcompete for Cambridge University Athletic Club(CUAC), in middle and long distance track events.Our members also take part in many otherdisciplines such as road running (including theLondon Marathon), fell running, orienteering,and triathlon.Varsity Match1st December, Wimbledon CommonMen: Cambridge 32 Oxford 47 (Cambridge Win)Women: Cambridge 29 Oxford 13 (Oxford Win)Cambridge Men take victory but Oxford outracethe women at the Varsity Cross Country 2007By James KellyAs alarm clocks sounded across Cambridge atdawn on Saturday, December 1st, 14 studentsarose with the same thought: that triumph overOxford in the 117th Varsity Match would be athrilling way to finish the Michaelmas term and toavenge Oxford's 4-1 victory in the IInds-IVthsMatch.When they arrived at WimbledonCommon and prepared for the customary teamphotographs, they shared a second thought: thatthe swirling winds and the heavily-waterloggedVarsity course would ensure that the race was atrue cross-country effort, a test of courage,determination and resilience as much as a test oftraining and preparation.The athletes were joined by injured Club CaptainAndy Duncan and a horde of loyal supporters whotravelled from across Europe to bear witness to theevent. Duncan threw his considerable energiesinto boosting the confidence of his charges whilethe brilliant supporters – including a Womble –showed stamina worthy of the Blues themselves asmany completed the 4-mile Supporters Racebefore lining the course and appearing at everytwist and turn to spur on the Light Blues.Alas, the Supporters Race was won by Oxford, andthe result unfortunately foretold the result of the32nd running of the 4-mile women's race.Theresilience of the women was tested from the60 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

outset, from even before former CUH&H Captainand current GB International Andy Baddeleystarted the race. Depleted by two injuries and aninternational call-up, the women were forced todraft in three reserves for the race.When one,Girton fresher Stella Deakin, arrived shortlybefore the race was to start due to navigationand traffic problems, the sense of concernunderstandably increased. Given the courseconditions and the superb strength of the Oxfordopposition, it was clear that the women werefacing a steep uphill task.But they refused to let circumstances dictateperformance. As the starting gun fired, theCambridge women stormed to the front of thepack, determined to run Oxford as competitivelyas possible. Last year's champion Polly Keen (NewHall) led as the racers reached the water jump,but her challenge was effectively scuppered by atumble in the stream that brought aboutconsiderable knee pain.Gradually the strength and experience of theOxford ladies showed, and the six Oxoniansstretched away from all but one of theirCantabrigian counterparts. Anna Anderson(Girton) was determined to prevent a Dark Bluewhitewash, and it was to great acclaim that sheemerged from The Butts in second place,eventually crossing the line in 24:34 and trailingonly Oxford's Courtney Birch. Anderson's run wasa remarkable effort for her first encounter withthe Common, and more than merited the FullBlue that she was awarded by Women's CaptainHarriet Owles.Owles, a late replacement herself, formed part ofthe Cambridge pack that battled gamely againstthe course. Laura Spence (Wolfson) paced herselfwell and led home the quintet of Half Blues in25:39, followed home by Queen Cheetah.and thefirst 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 inthe water jump. Oxford won the match by a scoreof 13-29 to avenge last year's Light Blue victory,but the youth of the Cambridge team and thestrength that can be drafted back in suggeststhat future encounters may not go the way of theDark Blues.It therefore befell the men to restore Cantabpride.With the all-time series tied 58-58, the racehad added historical importance. Armed with oneof its stronger teams in recent years, Cambridgewas confident that it could complete the 7.5miles faster than its Oxford counterparts.The field set off and Paolo Natali (Christ's), JamesKelly (Jesus) and Owain Bristow (Queens')immediately hit the front. Natali apparentlydecided that the conditions were a bit too warmfor his liking, however, and went swimming in thewater jump as well! Fortunately he emerged wetbut unscathed in his quest to defend his title.As the athletes left the water behind, the racesplit into three packs.The Cambridge trio werejoined at the front by Ian Kimpton, RichardFranzese 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, whichcontained Oxford's final scorers.The pace was relentless in spite of the slipperyconditions, but a decisive break from Natali after20 minutes saw the Italian win classily in 39:06. Hewas followed home by Kimpton,who put in aninspired run to keep Oxford in contention.However,when Kelly (39:25) and Bristow (39:29) crossed theline in 3rd and 4th positions,Cantab hopes wereraised.And when Armstrong (40:01),Grant (40:46)and Clark (40:54) finished 7th,8th and 9th afterthoroughly breaking Mercer and Howarth,the daywas Light Blue in colour.Yu (41:40) arrived in 12thposition and bumped Oxford's final scorer to ensurethat Cambridge's margin of victory was evengreater,while a commendable effort fromKnackstedt (43:03) in the longest cross-country raceof his career brought him home in 15th place.Champagne corks popped as Cambridge's 32-47victory was announced, and Captain Duncanresponded by awarding Full Blues to Natali, Kelly,Bristow, Armstrong, Grant and Clark, and HalfBlues to Yu and Knackstedt.The result restoredCambridge's lead in the all-time series and set upan enticing rematch with the long-time rivals atthe BUSA Championships in February.Other NewsSpecial mention should go to Charlotte Roach whowas prevented from running for Cambridge in theVarsity Match in December as she had been selectedto run for the Great Britian junior women in theEuropean Cross Country Championships in Toro,Spain,there she excelled finishing fourth and helpingthe British junior women to first team in the process.Tim Pattison was also selected to run for Englandin the Home Countries International on March30th in Edinburgh.61

Cambridge UniversityHockey ClubThe Cambridge University Hockey Club is the largestsports club at Cambridge with over 100 memberswww.cuhc.orgPresident: Matthew Richardson, St John’sCaptain: Stuart Penman, Gonville & Caius (Mens)Natasha Fowlie, New Hall (Womens)Secretary: Dave Saunders, Emmanuel (Mens)Lucy Stapleton, St Catharine’s (Womens)Senior Treasurer: Dr Dick McConnell, St John’sBlues Awarded 2007-08Simon Ashton, Gonville and CaiusElliot Bishton, FitzwilliamBen Crooks, Gonville and CaiusCraig Armstrong, DowningChris Ellis, Queens’James Goldsmith, St John’sJez Hansell, GirtonStuart Jackson, GirtonChristopher Kirwie, JesusDave Madden, JesusNick Mclaren, St Catharine’sStuart Penman, Gonville and CaiusDave Saunders, EmmanuelLucy Stapleton, St Catharine’sRosie Evans, SelwynNatasha Close, DowningFelicity Hughes, JesusNatasha Fowlie, NewhallAlex Workman, ChurchillHannah Rickman, PembrokeEmma Goater, JesusLisa Noble, St John’sAnna Stanley, St John’sJenny Stevens, DowningJenny Hall, SelwynNatasha Barnes, NewhallThe Cambridge University Hockey Club is thelargest sports club at Cambridge with over 100members, and is one of the high profile 'Full Blue'sports. It is also one of the only fully integratedmale and female clubs.The club runs three men's and three women'steams comprising of the best of a pool of 800players in the college leagues.The teams all playweekly in the East Leagues, although in recentyears the men's 1st team has also played in theprestigious EHL.The women's 1st and 2nd teamsalso played in BUSA competitions.Varsity Match4th March 2008 – Southgate Hockey Club, LondonMen: Cambridge 3 – 1 OxfordWomen: Cambridge 1 – 2 OxfordIn the 109th Varsity hockey match the CambridgeBlue teams travelled to London to compete in thehighlight of their sporting season and take on darkblue Oxford.Watched by hundreds of spectatorsthe hockey at Southgate pitches reached a newlevel with an exhilarating exhibition of all that isbest in the game, amazing pace, logic defying flairand a nail biting score line which kept thespectators guessing until the final whistle.The Men’s Blues were first to take to the pitch andwere impressive from the start. Although theopening minutes were characterised by nervousplay as both sides tried to take measure of theiropponents, it was ultimately Cambridge whowere able to assert their authority, Simon Ashtonleft the Oxford defence for dust with silky skills inand around the circle and sending a lighteningstrike at the goal was thwarted only by a luck pickoff the line.In reply Oxford were shoddy on the firsttouch,passes slipped off the sidelines and there waslittle that could threaten the strong defensivepartnership of David Saunders and Jez Hansell.It was the Light Blues who inevitably capitalisedon their opportunities and on the twelfth minuteNick McLaren was the one to convert whenAshton’s pulled back pass from the back linestruck the keeper and clipped the ground, themidfielder definitive in his strike, the teamecstatic in taking the lead. Cambridge, withconfidence growing were happy to send theiropponents chasing long balls around the defence62 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

and through the midfield, teasing the Dark Blueswith almost total possession and continuedpressure on the opposition goal.The second half started with Cambridgecontinuing to press their opposition, Man of theMatch Dave Saunders surged through themidfield to play nifty balls into the oppositioncorners and it seemed only a matter of waitinguntil Cambridge were able to consolidate on theirlead. Unexpectedly however it was Oxford whotook the next goal, a sacrificial foul by JamesGoldsmith sent him to the sin bin and theresulting penalty corner gave Oxford CaptainDavid Cresswell the chance to level the score witha drag flick sent flying into the top left handcorner of the goal.Cambridge were not to be defeated however andChristopher Kurwie, tactically taking the ball offthe back line and onto a defender’s foot won aLight Blue penalty corner. Slipped left to JezHansell, the defender scored a stunner in his lastever Varsity Match and demonstratedresoundingly how much the team will miss hispresence in games to come.With Cambridgeback on top it was only a matter of time untilvictory could be claimed and this was made allthe sweeter with a stroke awarded ten minutesfrom time. Captain Stuart Penman convertedfrom the penalty spot, sending a confused keeperthe wrong way and the ball into the net.Cambridge were majestic and deserved victory inretaining the Varsity Cup and demonstratingsuperiority in every aspect of the game.Following this performance the pressure was onfor the women, and having been resoundinglybeaten in the previous week, the girls weredetermined to demonstrate their capability ofcompeting with the strong Oxford side. Bothteams came out strong with Cambridge making apositive start, Alexandra Workman left Oxfordfrustrated at the top of the circle but Cambridgewere unfortunate to go down 1-0 in the first halfwhen a great save by keeper Lucy Stapleton wasfollowed by a quick pick at the post with CaptainBeth Wild placing Oxford firmly on the scoreboard. Oxford had asked questions of theCambridge defence but the Light Blues bouncedback, determined to make their mark on thegame. Lisa Noble, terrific in midfield sent aperfectly placed pass to Hall who weavingbetween a desperate Dark Blue defence, placed aneatly lifted shot past the keeper from animpossible angle levelling the scores at half time.The second half continued to see greatCambridge possession, Rosie Evans was resilientat every turn, impressive in grit and resolve, andwith the midfield controlling the pace and playOxford were forced to play the long game. It wasagainst the tide that the Dark Blue midfielderAlice Cook touched in a loose ball at the far postto put Oxford back into the lead and ultimatelywin them the game. Cambridge were unfortunatenot to have stolen the game early on, but werecommendable in their resolve and wereunquestionably equal to Oxford in almost everyarea of the game.Other NewsMens:• Blues competed in the National League whichis the highest level ever achieved by the club• Although they were relegated they got thelargest number of points they’ve ever achievedat that level• The 2nd Team came in the top half of the tablein the First Division of the East Men’s HockeyLeague• The 3rd Team was promoted into the SecondDivision• All three Varsity trophies were retained withthe blues winning 3-1, the seconds drawing 2-2and the thirds drawing 1-1Womens:• All three teams finished in the top four of theEast Hockey Leagues that they played in withthe Blues playing in the Premier Division andthe seconds only one place off promotion intothe First Division.• In BUSA the Blues were promoted to thePremier Division and had a good cup runlosing to Oxford in the quarter finals• The Blues lost their Varsity Match 2-1, theseconds lost their Varsity Match 5-1 and thethirds won their Varsity Match 2-0• Jenny Hall was selected to play for Englandunder 21sSponsorsABN AmroOliver WymanAddleshaw Goddard64 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityIce Hockey ClubIce Hockey at Cambridge is a tradition that stretchesas far back as 1885http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cuihc/President: Chris Hurn, PembrokeCaptain: Chris Hurn, PembrokeSecretary: Ben Lees, St Catharine’sSenior Treasurer: Chris Hurn, PembrokeHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Gareth Barry, EmmanuelAlan Douglass, JesusSidney Elbaz, Queen’sHenry Jenks, King’sPeter Morelli, King’sKevin Musselman, PeterhouseJonas Rooze, GirtonLuc St-Pierre, St Catharine’sRichard Trueman, St Catharine’sIce hockey at Cambridge is a tradition thatstretches as far back as 1885 when the first VarsityMatch was played at St Moritz in Switzerland.Theannual Cambridge-Oxford match has now beenrecognised by the Hockey Hall of Fame as theoldest ongoing hockey rivalry in the world.In addition to participating in the Varsity Match,the Blues also play a ten-game season againstother British universities.The team trainsweekly and also travels to Switzerland for aweek long training camp on an outdoor ice rinksurrounded by the alps. Players of all skill levelsare welcomed on the team.The only requirementis a very high motivation for the fastest game onearth, ice hockey.Varsity MatchSaturday March 1st 2008 in OxfordCambridge 2 : Oxford 8win the 89th Annual Varsity Match hosted byOxford, and were bolstered by the return ofcaptain Chris Hurn, who had been sidelined witha life-threatening pulmonary embolism.The Bluestook an early lead with a power play goal, but itwas short-lived as Oxford replied on thefollowing shift. Oxford continued to pressthroughout the first two periods, but Barry wassolid between the pipes, keeping the Blues withinstriking distance. Rookie forward Henry Jenks(UK) was unlucky to have a goal disallowed, as thereferee had lost sight of the puck.Trailing 3-1 inthe final period, the Blues pushed offensively inan effort to tie the game, but were stymied bygood goaltending in the Oxford net and paid theprice as Oxford netted several tallies on counterattacks.Thegame ended 8-2 in favour of Oxford,with Musselman scoring his second goal of thegame for the Blues. Peter Morelli, the “pec-lesswonder”, deservedly received the Cawthra Trophyas the most valuable Cambridge player of theVarsity Match, having worked tirelessly and setupboth Cambridge tallies.Despite a few close defeats during the season,the Blues remained convinced of their ability to65

Other NewsFollowing a tough ‘06-’07 campaign, only fiveBlues remained in Cambridge to start the ’07-’08season. Led by captain Chris Hurn (UK), thereturning Blues tackled the challenge ofrebuilding the squad with much gusto.Aggressive recruiting filled out the roster to ahealthy 15, and the returning Blues imparted onthe rookies a fine appreciation for early morningdryland training, late-night socials, and even latergame nights.The annual trip to Lyceum Alpinum School inZuoz, Switzerland, was a spectacular success asusual. Facilitated by team alumnus Curt Schmitt,we spent a week training on the school’s pictureperfectoutdoor rink, fine-tuning team strategyand improving individual skills.The hard workpaid off, as our performance improvedconsiderably this season. Goal output, inparticular, increased dramatically, as the rookieforward line of Peter Morelli (Vancouver), KevinMusselman (Ottawa), and Luc St-Pierre (ActonVale, QC) combined for 20 goals in 7 regularseason contests. Barry provided fearless backstopping,voluntarily placing his head in front ofsure-goals on several occasions.The team was unlucky throughout the seasonwith close 5-7, 2-4, and 5-7 defeats to Warwick,Birmingham, and Southampton respectively.Nevertheless, the Blues ended the ’07-’08campaign on a positive note, with a 4-3 win overBirmingham.This victory was bittersweet forBlues Chris Hurn, Gareth Barry, Sean & Sid Jeffries-Elbaz, Shane Woods, and Ben Lees as it markedtheir last game with the club.We plan to carry thissuccess over to the ’08-’09 season.The newestversion of the Blues will feature a strongcontingent of returning players (Trueman, Rooze,Jenks, Douglass, Morelli, Musselman, St-Pierre)and sights will be set on the Varsity Match trophy,which will be awarded for the 90th time. Pleaserefer to our website for details about the teamand the Varsity Match.SponsorCambridge University Press66 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityWomen’s Ice Hockey ClubWomen’s Ice Hockey at Cambridge isa unique and rewarding experienceAs well as our Sunday evening training sessionson ice, we also enjoy roller-hockey and indoorfloor hockey. Across all these activities, the clubfosters a great sense of fun, teamwork andencouragement. So whether you're a hockeyplayer, ice skater, or rollerblader, or new to all of itand just looking for something a little different,we'd love to hear from you.Varsity MatchOxford Ice Rink, 02/03/08Cambridge 8 – 3 Oxfordhttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuwihc/President: Elena Marshall, NewnhamCaptain: Sarah Cartwright, JesusSecretary: Jen Rutter, New HallSenior Treasurer: Professor A M Campbell, Christ’sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Elena Marshall, NewnhamBarbara Richter, PeterhouseSarah Creber, JesusSiok Ong, DowningMabel Ang, New HallJennifer Rutter, New HallStacey Hickson,Trinity HallSarah Cartwright, JesusSarah Johnson, EmmanuelNienke Patel, SelwynClare Watkinson, WolfsonClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Nicola Darling, JesusJudith Rawlings, GirtonChristina Yek, SelwynLauren Babcock, NewnhamAphra Dowell, Christ’sMelisa Trujillo, PembrokeTake advantage of the challenge, excitement, fun,laughter, inspiration and friendship that women'sice hockey offers! We are always keen to attractnew members, and are able to provide you withkit, instruction, and plenty of support. All levels ofexperience are welcome, from seasoned playersto complete beginners – you don't need to bringanything except enthusiasm, good humour, andan open mind!Whether it's playing against Oxford in the VarsityMatch as part of the oldest hockey rivalry in theworld, joining our training camp in Finland eachwinter, or taking part in the social eventsthroughout the year, womens ice hockey atCambridge is a unique and rewarding experience.The tension was high inside the Oxford Ice Rinkon March 2nd as the Oxford Dark Blues playedhost to the Cambridge Light Blues in the VarsityWomen's Ice Hockey Match. Oxford, the 11-yearreigning champions came into the game ready todefend their title. Conversely, Cambridge hadcome to prove themselves and to bring thetrophy home.A steady first period saw Cambridge off to astrong start with Sarah Cartwright and NienkePatel working well behind the net to clear thepuck. Nerves were wound tight as 18 goal-lessminutes ticked by. Finally, debut centre, SarahCreber lifted the puck over the goaltendersending the puck bouncing tantalisingly off thegoaltender's helmet, shoulder, and pads, finallycrossing the goal line. For most of the team, thiswas their first experience of a Varsity lead.Theend of first period saw a high-spirited Cambridgeleave the ice.67

A seesaw of goals in the second period shook thegame into high gear as both teams returned tothe ice determined for the Cup. 37 seconds in sawCreber living up to her 'creeper' status with a shotfrom behind the net that rebounded off the backof the goaltender into the net. Cambridge'scelebration was short-lived however, withOxford's Meaghan O'Reilly making successiverushes at the Cambridge net, scoring twice in25 seconds, bringing the score to 2 apiece.Thisjust seemed to fuel Cambridge's fight though,with veteran winger Barbara Richter scoring twogoals in response, with a nifty wrap-around and aflick over the keeper. Richter and Creber bothcompleted their hat-tricks before the end of theperiod with a back-handed goal and anotherwrap-around. Cambridge were only slightlytroubled with Oxford's O'Reilly tallying three bythe end of the period as well. End of period score6-3 for Cambridge.Cambridge pulled together a calm and focussedstart to the third period with defenders SarahJohnson and Jennifer Rutter skating hard toshutdown breakouts. Offensively, Cambridge didnot ease up either with hard rushes on goal byJohnson and rookie centre Stacey Hickson.Richter, on a mission to redeem four years losingin a row started the scoring in the third, puttingaway a superb, top right-hand shot.With tenminutes remaining, Richter scored her final goalfor Cambridge and the match to put Cambridgeon top at 8-3.The best near-goal of the gamehowever was provided by a Wakinson/Creberpartnership, with Clare Watkinson connecting onCreber's flick from behind the net into the slotlate in the third.The exuberant Cambridge benchshouted down the final seconds before burstingonto the rink to celebrate their hard-earned andwell-deserved Varsity win.Other newsThis was the first time that the Cambridge teamhave won the varsity match in 12 years and onlythe 2nd time ever.This strong squad then wenton to perform brilliantly in the BUIHA Nationalsweekend in Sheffield (there is no Universitywomen's league, so Cambridge were entered asthe only women's team in the “mixed” Division 3)coming 7th overall – a great achievement with avery short bench on the day.We are unable to play in a nationwide league dueto lack of a “home rink” in Cambridge, but will betaking part in the small Universities Division 3league next year with the hope of aiding inexpanding this to be more competitive.SponsorCambridge University Press68 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityJudo ClubCUJC is one of the biggest, oldest, friendliest andmost successful martials arts clubs at Cambridgewww.judo.soc.ucam.orgPresident: Tom Deacon, King’sCaptain: Men’s Captain – Janek Kolodynski,St John’sWomen’s Captain – Catharina Casper,Corpus ChristiSecretary: Seb Nadal,TrinitySenior Treasurer: Mark Thompson, Sidney SussexBlues Awarded 2007-08Catharina Casper, Corpus ChristiHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Yueyang Li,TrinityScott Bolingbroke, RobinsonEd Marffy, RobinsonGary Chandler, EmmanuelJanek Kolodynski, St John’sPhilipp Oberhumer, Queen’sSeb Nadal,TrinityTom Deacon, King'sAlexie Frize-Williams, St John’sSinead Rothwell, St Catharine’sLisa Kleiminger, ChurchillClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Megan Jones, NewnhamBalan Anthonysamy, King'sGiovanni da Col, Queens’Gabriel Mecklenburg, GirtonAndrew Campell, RobinsonGregory Schmitt, ARUWilfred Hughes, ChurchillRob Blackburn, EmmanuelSimon Calcutt, EmmanuelCUJC is one of the biggest, oldest, friendliest andmost successful martial arts clubs at Cambridge –if not at any British University.The club includes everyone from completebeginners to highly competitive Black belts, allcoached by experienced and BJA-qualified Blackbelt coaches. It is also a fantastic bunch of diversepeople from across the world and from all walksof life, as although the club is run by Cambridgestudents,we have many members from Cambridgefaculty,staff,ARU students and from the localcommunity,as well as visitors from further afield.Varsity Match1/3/08, OxfordMen’s A: Lost 3-4 (1 Draw), Women’s: Lost 2-3,Men’s B: Lost 1-7, City: Lost 2-5Cambridge Judo were disappointed to be leftempty-handed after an exciting Varsity Matchagainst a strong Oxford team.The event waspacked with massive throws and punishingground-fighting with 28 fights between Men'sand Women's blues teams, a Men's B Team and a'City' team of non-students crammed into asingle afternoon, and Cambridge can be proud ofa truly great effort and many close and excitingcontests despite the end result.Cambridge City got off to a great start, with twocrushing wins whipping the travelling Cambridgesupporters into a frenzy, but despite a greateffort, it was all downhill from there as CambridgeCity were outweighed and outclassed by a greatdisplay of fighting from the strong Oxford team.Conceding two further matches through absenceand injury, Oxford took the City Team match forthe first time in the history of this friendlyaddition to the University Varsity Match, 5-2.The Cambridge Men's B Team were next on themat with the weight of expectation after foursuccessive victories. Balan Anthonysamy (King's),Giovanni da Col (Queens’) and GabrielMecklenburg (Girton) put great efforts into theirfights, but were beaten by powerful opponents,and B Team Captain Andrew Campell (Robinson)was unlucky to lose a great contest – despiteappearing to twist out of the winning throw inmid-air. ARU Frenchman Gregory Schmittreminded Oxford that the match wasn't over,69

slamming his opponent into the mat with amassive counter after a nail-biting match.WilfredHughes (Churchill) and Emmanuel duo RobBlackburn and Simon Calcutt fought bravely intheir first Varsity Match, but could not reverse thedeficit, and Oxford claimed the B Team shieldthey had hardly seen this decade, the 7-1scoreline a harsh reflection of the courage anddetermination shown by the Cambridge fighters.Oxford have dominated the women’scompetition in recent times, but despite losing 4of last year’s team of 5, Cambridge’s strong newteam promised that this year’s Women’s Varsitywould be just as close as the two agonising 3-2losses in the past two years. Megan Jones(Newnham) was caught by a powerful shoulderthrowfor ippon, but Alexie Frize-Williams (lastyear’s Women’s Captain from St John’s) foughtthrough the pain barrier from various injuries topin her opponent down. Next up was a titanicclash between the Oxford Captain (a BUSAmedallist) and Cambridge Women’s CaptainCatharina Casper (Corpus Christi). Catharina waseventually defeated after a tight and very highstandardmatch, but former GB InternationalSinead Rothwell (St Catharine’s) quickly pulledthe match back to two apiece, totally dominatingher opponent.This left the intense pressure of adeciding fight on Lisa Kleiminger (Churchill), withthe crowd on the edge of their seats. Lisa gavethe fight everything, but late into the fight theOxford judoka produced the seoinage throw of alifetime to cruelly dash the dreams ofCambridge’s Women and leave them just 3-2down again.Finally, Cambridge’s Men’s Blues stepped up to tryand reclaim the trophy they lost last year.This,however, was no easy task, with a new era ofCambridge judoka facing a much heavier Oxfordteam of veteran black belts.Yueyang Li (Trinity)and Robinson freshers Scott Bolingbroke and EdMarffy all faced huge and powerful (and BUSAmedal-winning) Dan-grade opponents that beatthem with ippon scores, leaving former Men’sCaptain and President Gary Chandler (Emmanuel)with a crucial match against an old adversary thatended in a frustrating stalemate. Men’s CaptainJanek Kolodynski (St John’s) was then floored by apowerful throw from an experienced Oxfordfighter, but Austrian sensation Philipp Oberhumer(Queen’s) finished a high-quality match with adelightful uchi-mata throw for ippon. Seb Nadal(Trinity) pulverized the Oxford President on theground and Cambridge President Tom Deacon(King's) forced his opponent to submit with aquick and brutal armlock. But these victories weretoo late, the Cambridge Men were left the wrongside of an incredibly tight 4.5/3.5 scoreline.Thatthe score was so close is a credit to the hard workof a relatively new team facing an incrediblystrong Oxford line-up, but this was littleconsolation to Cambridge as Oxford lifted theMatsudaira Cup.Tom Deacon – CUJC PresidentOther NewsAt the BUSA 2008 Judo championships CatharinaCasper (CUJC Women's Captain) led from thefront, beating some strong opposition to earn afantastic Silver medal in the Dan Grade -63kgcategory. In the Kyu grade competition, AlexieFrize-Williams battled through persistent injury totake silver at -63kg. Lisa Kleiminger madeCambridge's women an all-silver team, taking2nd place in the Kyu grade competition at -57kgThe Men could only add one more medal to thewomen's haul,Yueyang Li taking advantage of asmall field of 3 other competitors andovercoming one of them with a lovely, cleanippon throw to earn him a Bronze medal in theMen's Kyu Grade -100kg category. Austriansensation Philipp Oberhumer fought withtenacity, and pulled an ippon out of the bag in anail-biting 'Golden Score' extra time to becomethe only Cambridge Dan Grade man to make itout of the pools. However, he was undone in theQuarter Finals to a talented and experiencedjudoka and was out of the competiton – anychance of fighting back through the repechargeto win Cambridge Men a Dan Grade medal wasruined when his opponent lost to the eventualwinner in the next round.Cambridge men came back set on revenge in theTeam competition the next day, but faced atough pool of 4 with a very light team.Cambridge rose to the challenge and foughtfantastically to pull off an impressive 4-1 victoryagainst a formidable London side, and racked upthe same score against Edinburgh. Despitenarrowly losing to Sheffield, Cambridge's earlier70 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

triumphs still put them top of their pool.Cambridge then met a Imperial College in theQuarter-Finals and, despite putting up a greatfight, could not claw their way to the right side ofa 2-3 scoreline, and so were forced into arespectable exit from the competition.Cambridge's Gary, Philipp, Seb and Yueyang thencontinued to fight on in the regional competition(10 judoka from mixed Universities in broadregions) alongside judoka from Southampton,Sussex and Oxford, and took Silver medals in thecompetition.Wins against the British judoka atthis point-scoring competition earned Tomanother 10 points towards his 1st Dan andPhilipp another 20 towards his rapidlyapproaching 2nd Dan. But the afternoonbelonged to Gary Chandler – whose final winagainst a 2nd Dan in the regional competitionearned him his 2nd Dan!For the Cambridge University Judo Club, theVarsity match and BUSA championships are onlythe tip of the iceberg.Throughout the year theclub organises exchanges with clubs in Marburg,Germany; Helsinki, Finland and St Denis, Belgiumand attends numerous competitions includingthe Sheffield International Student TeamsCompetition. It’s all these events that makes ourclub such a great place to learn and meet newand interesting people.71

Cambridge UniversityKarate ClubCambridge University Karate Club was formed in 1976by Charles Levitt and Simon Gisztermwww.cukc.orgPresident: Steph McTighe, Department ofPsychologyCaptain: Tom Johnson,Trinity/ Madeleine Wood,EmmanuelSecretary: Adam Tun, JesusSenior Treasurer: Dr W J Fitzgerald, Departmentof EngineeringBlues Awarded 2007-08Ian MacLeod, St John’sRoman Sztyler, King’sMadeleine Wood, EmmanuelHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Tom Johnson,TrinityPaul Smith,TrinitySimon Picot, PembrokeNick Worth, DarwinNicholas Edwards, Corpus ChristiCharlie Gray,Trinity HallIrena Kraicheva, Sidney SussexGemma Coughlin, DarwinCambridge University Karate Club was formed in1976 by Charles Levitt and Simon Giszterm, whohad got in touch with Bob Poynton of the KarateUnion of Great Britain (KUGB). Over the years theclub evolved and grew into the large andsuccessful club that it is today, and is nowfortunate to count Sensei Richard Poole (6th danblack belt, former Welsh champion and coach ofthe Welsh national team) as its Chief Instructor.CUKC has a long and distinguished record atregional, national and international competitions.In the last year alone the club won bronze in maleteam kata at EUSA, beat ancient rivals KeioUniversity on tour to Japan (for the first timeever), had three members selected for theEngland kumite squad, won individual kata at theNationals, AND won Varsity. Although there is astrong emphasis on competitions, it is by nomeans mandatory to compete and for novicesthe focus is squarely on development andprogression through the grades. And with eighttraining sessions a week for most of the year theclub is one of the most active around.Varsity Match23 Feb 2008 – Iffley Road, OxfordCambridge (Men’s A: Cam, Men’s B: Cam,Women’s: Draw)The 2008 Karate Varsity Match took place onSaturday 23 February and Cambridge has onceagain come out victorious! Following up on lastyear's big win over the Dark Blues, the CUKCSquad traveled to Iffley Road Sports Centre inOxford to defend our titles.The incredible hardwork, dedication, and spirit that each of thesquad members exhibited over the past monthshas paid off as we retained the Enoeda Cup.The day started off with the Individual Katacompetition. Roman Sztyler and Simon Picotboth gave outstanding performances of Unsuand Gankaku, which earned first and secondplace overall within the Men's A divisionrespectively, thereby giving Cambridge theearly edge. Madeleine Wood and Charlie Gray werethe top CUKC Women's Kata competitors,performing Nijushiho and Gojushiho Sho.NicholasEdwards topped the Men's B team overall withGojushiho Sho.The Team Kata event followed, and demonstrateda true strength for CUKC as we won in eachdivision.The Men's A team consisting of PaulSmith, Ian MacLeod, and Tom Johnson performedKanku Sho to overtake Oxford's Bassai Dai.TheWomen's team which included Madeleine Wood,Charlie Gray, and Irina Kraicheva performed a verystrong Gojushiho Sho which won out overOxford's Kanku Sho. Finally, the Men's B Team ofRoman Sztyler, Nick Worth, and Nicholas Edwardsperformed an excellent Jion to win over Oxford'sHeian Godan.72 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

The final event of the day was Kumite.The Men'sA team performed exceptionally well, winning7 matches, drawing 1, and losing only 2. Specialcommendation goes to Paul Smith, who despitereceiving a nasty shot to left eye about 20seconds into his second match, skillfully tookcontrol over his opponent and won the round,making it two wins on the day.The Women'steam exhibited extremely strong spirit, perfectlysplitting Oxford with 3 wins, 3 losses, and 2 draws.The Men's B team also fought very strongly,splitting Oxford perfectly with 2 wins, 2 losses,and 1 draw.After the competition was over, the points wereadded up and the winners of each division wereannounced.We are very happy and proud toreport that Cambridge came out on top:Men's A: Cambridge 100 – 52 OxfordWomen's: Cambridge 75 – 75 OxfordMen's B: Cambridge 79 – 57 OxfordOther NewsIn September 10 members of the squad toured toJapan and were hosted by Keio University, withwhom the club has strong historical links.Cambridge won the nail-biting match against Keioby the smallest of margins, 4-3, with one draw (andtwo people out due to injury), taking revenge forKeio’s 10-0 victory in the early 90s. Full report onour website: http://www.cukc.org/japan.php.European Universities Sports Association (EUSA)Karate Championships 2007:Cambridge came =3 in Male Team Kata (reporthttp://www.cukc.org/comps/2007-2008/eusa.php).Three members of CUKC (Paul Smith, MadeleineWood and Katerina Pateraki) were selected inJanuary for the KUGB England kumite squad andnow train regularly with the national squad.CUKC’s competition successes grew again thisyear, having had one of the strongest squads thewww.sophiepickford.comclub has ever seen.The men’s team won teamkumite (sparring) at KUGB Student Nationals andKUGB Central Regions championships (the latterfor the third year in a row), and 20-year-oldRoman Sztyler won gold in kata (set forms) atthe KUGB National championships – aphenomenal achievement.73

Cambridge UniversityKorfball ClubKorfball is a mixed sport with four girls andfour boys on the teamhttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/korfball/President: Elgon Corner, PembrokeCaptain: George Marshall, JesusSecretary: Angus Davidson, King’sSenior Treasurer: Howard LaftlingHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Sophie Cuene-Grandidier, JesusSian Mawditt, HomertonLaura Soul, New HallKatie Chesover, New HallGeorge Marshall, JesusElgon Corner, PembrokeAngus Davidson, King’sWill Buttinger, EmmanuelWe are the university’s Korfball Club. Korfball is amixed sport, with 4 boys and 4 girls on the team.We compete in Varsity and BUSA as well asentering other tournaments across the country.We also have two teams competing in the localCambridgeshire league. As most people havenever played Korfball before coming toUniversity, we also teach new players how to playthe game.Varsity Match16th February 2008, Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre,OxfordOxford 9 – 10 CambridgeThis year saw the closest match in recent years,with the match going right down to the wire, andonly one point separating the teams. UntilCambridge went 10-8 up with about 5 minutes togo, there had never been more than a point in iteither way, with the lead swinging from team toteam. Going in at half time, the score was 5-5, andin the second half, despite a couple of crucialpenalty misses, the younger Cambridge teammanaged to take the lead, going 10-8 up. Oxfordquickly scored again though, leading to a verytense finish to the match, which lead toCambridge regaining the Varsity Trophy.Other NewsAt the BUSA Nationals tournament Cambridgestarted well, losing their first game by only 1point to the favourites and eventual winners,Sheffield Hallam. After finishing second in theGroup, we faced a rematch against Oxford in thequarter finals, which unfortunately we lost,ending up finishing 8th overall.The first team finished 6th in the localCambridgeshire league, a record high for recentyears, with the 2nd team finishing 4th in theDevelopment league.74 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityLacrosse ClubThe Lacrosse club is the oldest university lacrosse club inthe countryculacrosse.orgPresident: Lara Moffat, Magdalene(president of men's, women's and mixed clubs)Captain: Chris Jones, JesusSecretary: Meng Wang, SelwynSenior Treasurer: Revd I M Thompson, SelwynHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Chris Jones, JesusChris Smith, St John'sMeng Wang, SelwynPhil Hall,TrinityAndrew Muir Wood, JesusKipp Weiskopf, ChurchillStuart McGregor Dallas, Hughes HallClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Dave Beckett, PembrokeDan Pennington, WolfsonJack Gillett,TrinityAlex Walker, SelwynDave Haines, Queens'Ian Ralby, St John'sThe Lacrosse club is the oldest university lacrosseclub in the country and is also the oldest halfbluesport in Cambridge. Since the inception ofthe annual Varsity Match against OxfordUniversity in 1903, the match has only beencancelled as a result of the outbreak of the twoWorld Wars.The team also compete in the SEMLA East 1Division and the Southern Intermediate Flagsknock-out competition.Varsity Match1st March 2008University Parks, Oxford1st team lost 12 – 42nd team lost 17 – 0Coming off a 30-0 routing of the University ofLondon, the Cambridge Blues went into the 92ndVarsity Match with cautious hopes. Having facedoff against the Dark Blues twice before in leaguematches, Cambridge knew it had an intensechallenge ahead.On 1 March 2008 at 2pm on the University Parksin Oxford, the Light Blues started off their matchwith a great deal of intensity. Midfielder fresherPhil Hall scored first, giving Cambridge the earlylead. Unfortunately, that advantage was lost afew minutes later and never regained. The firstquarter ended with Oxford up 2-1, but the secondquarter proved to be Cambridge’s downfall.A flurry of unanswered scores left the Light Bluessuffering at the half with an 8-1 deficit.Cambridge and Oxford tied in the third quarter.Attackman Kipp Weiskopf scored early in thequarter and longtime standout midfielder MengWang added Cambridge’s third goal off an assistfrom attackman Ian Ralby. The fourth quartersplit much like the first with Oxford outscoringCambridge 2-1. The final goal came again fromKipp Weiskopf.Perhaps the deciding factor in the match wasOxford’s near perfect record on face-offs. Bywinning possession of the ball on virtually everyrestart, the Dark Blues were able to control thematch. While Captain Chris Jones lead animpressive effort on defense, the Oxford shootersmanaged to get 12 goals past embattledCambridge goalie Stuart McGregor-Dallas,playing with a concussion. While the final scorewas firmly in Oxford’s favour, the match was hardfought by both teams.75

Cambridge UniversityWomen’s Lacrosse ClubThe perfect yearThere is a squad size of around 40 players with newmembers joining the squad as freshers, movingfrom mixed lacrosse or deciding to re-startlacrosse after leaving school. Most players haveplayed lacrosse at school, to county or territoriallevel and there are a number of internationalplayers within the squad. A Varsity Match is heldeach year with Oxford and both the Blues andKingfishers (2nds) hold the title from 2007.Varsity MatchThe Parks, OxfordBlues W 8-4, 2nds W 7-0www.srcf.ucam.org/~culc orwww.societies.cam.ac.uk/lacrossePresident: Lara Moffat, Magdalene(president of men's, women's and mixed clubs)Captain: Alex Carnegie-Brown, JesusSenior Treasurer: Revd I M Thompson, SelwynBlues Awarded 2007-08Alex Carnegie-Brown, JesusRosie Garvey, ChurchillGen Gotla, Christ’sHelen Leppard, GirtonGeorgina Hurt, DowningClare Jefferys, Queens’Rosalind Llyod, Lucy CavendishLea Michaels, EmmanuelEllie Walshe, RobinsonEmily Knight,Trinity HallJosie Baum, PembrokeJackie Vullinghs, MagdeleneKate Morland, JesusAdele Fauvet, MagdeleneGeorgina Rose, EmmanuelHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Lara Moffat, MagdeleneClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Laura Belcher, St Catharine’sSamantha Mandel-Dallal, New HallKatie Eccles, RobinsonCastilla-Jane East, Christ’sKatie Salter, EmmanuelStephanie Newman, EmmanuelLorna Moore, WolfsonAdeline Francis-Drabble, Gonville & CaiusGemma Else, GirtonEdwina Hayward, GirtonVictoria Foster, GirtonHannah Whittaker, ClareCharlotte Yonge,Trinity HallRebecca Hilbert, NewnamThe women's club was founded in 1912.The firstteam currently plays in the BUSA Premier division(South) and are the current BUSA LacrosseChampions.The second team plays in theMidlands Conference (Women's 1A) division.The Cambridge Blues travelled to Oxford for thisyear's Varsity Match with a strange mixture ofnervousness and confidence. Having defeatedtheir Dark Blue rivals twice this year already, theteam were keen to continue their run. However,the Oxford Blues, or the 'Gladiators' as theycolloquially like to be known, were eager toremove Cambridge from their unbeaten pedestaland restore some belief to their ranks.This'nothing to lose' attitude was clear from thestarting whistle as Oxford fought hard for theground balls and made fierce drives to the goal.The opening few minutes were frantic and theCambridge defence had to react early to someOxford pressure. But the storm turned out to be aminor squall and Cambridge's superior skillbegan to shine through, as goals from Ros Lloyd,George Hurt and Ellie Walshe put them in acomfortable lead.The team spirit of Cambridge broke through theDark Blue clouds most strongly in this period,with some great midfield work by Emily Knight,76 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Kate Morland, Jackie Vullinghs and Rosie Garveyproviding smooth attacking purpose and supportfor the defence. Gen Gotla and Clare Jeffreysdemonstrated the strength in all areas of thisteam, stopping the Oxford attacking runs andclosing off dangerous passes. Lea Michaels, HelenLeppard and Adele Fauvet, all playing in their lastVarsity Match, put every last breath and evensome blood into the team's cause.The score stood at 6-1 at half time, but the Bluesknew their job was far from complete. As thecrowd of Oxford supporters grew, Oxfordintensified pressure on the ball, disruptingCambridge's attacking plays. Oxford's core of keyplayers began to raise their game, notably OllieValner, the Oxford MVP.The pressure on the LightBlues (or mint greens to be totally truthful)eventually paid off. A series of rapid turnoverscreated a panicked midfield, and Cambridge'stransitional play was thwarted by Oxford'ssuccessful double teams.The eruption of supportfrom the Oxford sideline spurred on the Oxfordattack who successfully brought the scoreline upto 7-4. However, under the commanding voice ofGeorge Hurt in defence and the direction ofcaptain, Alex Carnegie-Brown, Cambridge stayedfocused and resilient, and a well placed shot byJosie Baum decided the final score of 8-4.It is a scoreline of which this whole team shouldbe extremely proud.Victory is perhaps only fullydeserved when the opposition throws everythingat you, and by that reckoning, this result was noforegone conclusion. It was a hard-fought andhard-earned win. At the end of every VarsityMatch, one is forcibly reminded that, 'there is noform going into the Varsity match.What has gonebefore doesn't matter.The team that wants itmore wins.' Although these wise words must beattributed to a Dark Blue, the 2007 Oxford rugbycaptain, they have real significance to thisexceptional squad. No result is deserved until thegame is played, and on March 1st, the CambridgeBlues earned every inch of the Varsity Trophy.Other NewsThe Blues team had an outstanding season.Theywere unbeaten through their 15 matches.Thewon the southern premier league and the BUSAChampionships, beating Birmingham 11-7 in theFinal.They finished with season stats of Played 15,Won 15, Goal difference +154.Ros Lloyd and Ellie Walshe were selected torepresent Wales at the home internationals, andfor the European Championships and Prague Cupthis coming summer.Lara Moffat was selected to represent Scotlandat the home internationals and for theEuropean Championships and Prague Cup thiscoming summer.Georgie Hurt was selected to represent Englandat the home internationals and the Prague Cupthis coming summer. She has also made the firstselection cut for the World Championships 2009.Georgie Hurt, Ellie Walshe and Ros Lloydrepresented the East of England at the territorialtournament, while Alex Carnegie-Brownrepresented the South.77

Cambridge UniversityLawn Tennis ClubCambridge University Lawn Tennis Club is one of themost ancient lawn tennis clubs in the worldhttp://www.sport.cam.ac.uk/lawntennis/Team-Info.htmCaptain: Jonathan Tassell, Girton (men),Victoria Mackay, Newnham (women)Secretary: John Western, Selwyn (men),Beth Ashbridge, Clare (women)Senior Treasurer: James BerryCambridge University Lawn Tennis Club is one ofthe most ancient lawn tennis clubs in the world.It was founded in 1881, seven years before theLawn Tennis Association of Great Britain wasfounded. Although it is called a 'club' it is actuallythe lawn tennis association of the whole of theUniversity of Cambridge, representing theUniversity as a whole, the thirty-one Colleges,and the other institutions which are part ofthe University.This year, the Club boasted three men’s and twowomen’s teams, both with more depth andstrength than previous years. Jonathan Tasselland Victoria Mackay captained the sides for2007/08, John Western and Beth Ashbridgerespective secretaries for the men and women.Varsity Match1. Jonny Tassell (Captain)2. Robert Blythe3. John Western (Secretary)4. Ben Cole5.Tim Murray6. R-J Lange7. Kirill Zavodov1.Tassell and Zavodov2.Western and Cole3. Blythe and MurrayThe Light Blues entered the 2008 Varsity Matchwith high hopes on the back of wins in 2006 and2007 by the narrowest of margins.Promotion to the BUSA Premier Leagueenhanced confidence and belief in a very mixedteam of freshers, finalists and graduates. Being a‘Prentice Cup’ year, tensions ran high to performand ensure selection for the four-yearly trip of alifetime to the USA to play Harvard and Yale inSeabright, New Jersey. Only three Cambridge andthree Oxford men would travel on this allexpenses-paid,six week tour.Retaining the services of John Western (Selwyn),Ben Cole (Robinson),Tim Murray (Pembroke),R-J Lange (King’s), Jonny Tassell (Girton) and KirillZavodov (St Edmund’s), Cambridge welcomedthe arrival of Robert Blythe (Emmanuel) and NickJenkins (St John’s) into the squad. Nick Brown,former top 100 doubles player and current PolishDavis Cup Coach, put the players through theirpaces throughout the off-season, buildingeffective doubles teams and improving theteam’s sharpness.And so the stage was set for another high-classVarsity Match at the National Tennis Centre inRoehampton.The NTC had proved a welcomechange of venue this year, allowing the players tostay in on-site accommodation and have use ofworld-class facilities. A big thanks goes to theLawn Tennis Association for this privilege. Oxfordwere rumoured to be very strong, adding depthto their squad and relying on the strong singlesplay of Middlesex County star Marc Baghdadi atnumber 1 and two talented Scottish brothers,Timand Greg Weir.78 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge came out strong and determined onDay 1.With numbers 1, 3 and 5 openingproceedings,Tassell made light work of theOxford number 2 in straight sets.Westernbecame locked in a fierce slugging match againstthe Dark Blue’s number 4, whilst Murray looked tobe struggling against his Oxford counterpart oncourt 3.Western’s perseverance paid off as GregWeir started to cramp in the third set of theirencounter, running into three hours on court.Murray meanwhile could not find his form, goingdown to the Oxford captain on the two-hourmark. Blythe, Cole and Lange then took to thecourts, Cambridge leading 2-1. Blythe looked outof sorts against Baghdadi and fell to a straightsets defeat. Cole and Lange had other ideas,engaging their opponents in two titanic battles.Lange, long known for his animalistic fightingqualities, came back from a second set deficit in acharge to victory, whilst Cole outlasted theOxford number 3 winning comfortably in thethird set.With a 4-2 lead, the Light Blues were confidentgoing into the doubles, knowing that last yearhad seen Cambridge win all but one doublesrubber over the two days of competition.Tasselland Zavodov met a canny Oxford second pair butserved impeccably to thwart their opponent’ssolid return games. Zavodov, who has beenregularly serving over 125mph in competitivematches, aptly closed out the match with a hugeace to give his team a 5-2 lead.Things lookedgood on the adjoining courts, where Cole andWestern found their form against a weak Oxfordthird pair.This victory was followed up by a hardfought three set win for Blythe and Murray, whohad little practice before Varsity, Murraysustaining a wrist injury in October last year.Thepair worked well though, Murray rock-solid at thenet and Blythe serving and returning well.7-2 to the good, many teams would start to relaxbut the mentality of the Cambridge team thisyear has been to keep working hard in everysituation.Their superior fitness and mentaltoughness began to shine through in the lastround of matches, late into the evening. Cole andWestern played arguably the best doubles of thecompetition in defeating Baghdadi and Tim Weirin quick time. Blythe and Murray carried on wherethey left off previously against Greg Weir andWrisdale, securing a ninth rubber for the LightBlues.Tassell and Zavodov could not find theirbest tennis in the fading light, losing in a tightthree-set thriller but credit to the Oxford thirdpair in showing character to secure the DarkBlue’s third victory of the day.Cambridge had been 9-3 up in 2007 after day 1,only to lose four straight singles matches the nextmorning. In a late-night team meeting, the boysdecided to come out fresh and strong on Day 2,hoping to extinguish any hope of an early Oxfordcomeback. And that they did.The 2008 VarsityMatch was sealed mid-morning, as Cole, Langeand Blythe eased to consecutive victories puttingthe fixture beyond doubt, ensuring the DohertyCup returned to Cambridge for a third successiveyear.The final score stood at 15-6, a convincingwin for the Cambridge men, who had workedhard all year for this success.The team wishes to thank Next Generation, theLTA, Nick Brown, the CULTC Committee for theirsupport and all those who continue to give toCambridge tennis. Long may it continue.Jonathan Tassell, Captain 07/08Other NewsPrentice and Seabright CupsSix Oxbridge blues travelled to America thissummer, and earned a 16-5 triumph over theteam from Yale and Harvard in The Prentice Cup.Led by Girtonian Jonny Tassell, they dominatedproceedings from start to finish at theSeabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club onthe New Jersey coast.Held every two years, and alternating betweenSeabright and the All England Club atWimbledon,The Prentice Cup is the oldestamateur tennis competition in the world,founded in 1921.The competition has evolvedbut now consists of three days of tennis, withthree players from each of the four universities. Inthe run-up to the competition, the team travelextensively along the east and west coasts of theUSA, to locations such as Long Island, Boston,Nantucket, San Francisco, Louisville, New York Cityand Washington D.C.This year’s highlightsincluded VIP tickets to a Red Sox baseball game,Grand Prix racing at Mount Kisco, a chauffeurdriven20-seater Hummer Limousine ride aroundSan Francisco by night and President’s Box ticketsto the US Open tennis championships.This wasliterally the trip of a lifetime.79

The men’s tour to the USA was not the onlysuch visit by a combined Oxford and Cambridgeteam.Their female counterparts also crossedthe pond to play in the women’s tournament,The Seabright Cup.Two girls from Cambridge, Jesuan Victoria Watsonand team Captain Beth Asbridge of Clare Collegejoined their two Oxfordian counter-parts to playthe Americans.They were however outclassed bythe students from Yale and Harvard.The Seabright Cup is in its infancy, with this beingonly the third time that the tournament has beenplayed.The women’s team will be looking fortheir revenge when the Americans visit theseshores in 2010, and are hopeful of victory.Cambridge player Victoria Watson has only justfinished her first year and should be a strongprospect for the rematch in two years time.The male Oxbridge players got the best startpossible on the opening day of their competition,with all three British doubles pairings chalking upvictories over their American rivals.The Oxbridgethird pair, of Greg Weir and Rob Blythe, achieved aparticularly impressive victory over their favouredAmerican opponents.The run of good form was continued into thesingles matches on day two.The three Oxfordblues, Marc Baghdadi (Pembroke),Timothy Weir(St Catharine’s) and Greg Weir (Keble), managedan important two out of three wins in themorning, a feat that was soon matched by thethree Cambridge players, Jonny Tassell, RobBlythe (Emmanuel) and John Western (Selwyn).Doubles followed, with the Brits 7-2 up andlooking to stamp their authority to put the tie outof the Americans’ reach. An inspired Baghdadiand Timothy Weir closed out an emphaticstraight sets win, whilst Western and Greg Weirkept their solid, error-free games going to forceanother win for Oxbridge.Tassell and Blythe,having lost the first set, worked their way backinto the tie to level at a set all, Blythe with somebig serving on critical break points and Tassellwith razor-sharp returns to the feet of the closingnet players.With over 200 spectators now making a lot ofnoise, the drama continued seeing the Oxbridgepair break their opponents serve, Blythe lookingto close out victory on his serve. Saving morebreak points, Blythe came up with a remarkablepick-up half-volley, whilst Tassell’s fast-hands sawa last minute reaction-lob land on the baseline togive the visitors match point. Another huge serveout wide on the ad court was enough to sealvictory and put Oxbridge 10-2 ahead, much tothe delight of supporting friends and family fromthe sidelines.Needing one final rubber for a famous awayfrom-homewin, Oxbridge wasted little time thenext morning. John Western suffered his secondsingles defeat at the hands of an experiencedHarvard opponent, whilst Blythe was againlocked in a fierce three-setter against his Yalecounterpart. For a while it seemed as though theBritish players might bottle it, but those fearswere soon dispelled.Tassell took to court 1 against an experiencedYale number one. Despite a bad fall in the secondset, the Oxbridge captain closed out a 7-6, 6-2 winto see the Prentice Cup return to British soil.Despite defeat, the Americans continued to playwith professionalism, losing 16-5 overall.The victory was the first for the British team in6 years, and only the fourth since 1974. It can alsoserve as an excellent rejoinder, at least in theminds of Cambridge and Oxford students, todefeat in that other biennial inter-collegiatetrophy, the Ryder cup.The Women’s Tennis Varsity Match 2008By Victoria WatsonIf the tension of the Men’s Wimbledon Finalbetween Roger Federer and Raphael Nadal wasenough to distract you somewhat from yourstrawberries and cream, it is likely that the32nd Women’s Tennis Varsity Match would havecaused you to abandon them altogether infavour of devoting your full attention to theunfolding drama.History is a word most commonly used inconnection with the long-standing Men’s VarsityMatch, the 117th of which has just been played,but this year it was the ladies who made history.Oxford claimed victory by eleven matches to tenin the closest score-line ever recorded in the newformat of the competition and, whilst losing bysuch a tight margin was disappointing forCambridge, there was a sense in which bothteams appreciated that they had been involved inan epic fixture and there were no real losers.80 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

The scores remained level throughout the twodaycontest and, after two rounds of singles anddoubles respectively, the teams were tied on ninematches each with all to be decided in the finalround of three doubles matches. In this finalround, each of the three Cambridge doubles pairsplayed their opposite numbered pair on theOxford team and, pepped up by a rousing teamtalkby Captain Victoria Mackay, Cambridge weredetermined to take it to their arch rivals. Despitethe aid of vocal local support, the Cambridgesecond and third pairs were both narrowlydefeated, with victory from the first pair of AliceBarnes and Victoria Watson to maintain theirunbeaten record serving as mere consolation.The Cambridge team looks set to retainpredominantly the same personnel next year and,with added experience, and memory of thedisappointment of being so closely denied asubstantially larger bottle of champagne, theywill hopefully be physically and mentallyprepared to turn the tables next year.Team: Alice Barnes (Lucy Cavendish), VictoriaWatson (Jesus), Beth Ashbridge (Clare)[Secretary], Marsali Grant (Trinity Hall), Cilia Roell(Jesus), Claire Bush (St John’s), Victoria Mackay(Newnham) [Captain].The player of the Varsity match was undoubtedlyex Stanford-star, and Cambridge Number One,Alice Barnes who won all five matches inconvincing fashion and inspired the team withher professionalism and expert advice. Othernotable performances came on Day One in theform of Dutch graduate Cilia Roell’s fist-punchingsingles victory and Marsali Grant’s marking herthird blue by annihilating Oxford’s Number three,and on Day Two in the form of CambridgeNumber two Victoria Watson defeating heropposite number and PhD student BethAshbridge winning a crucial three-set marathonwhich saw her embraced in an impromptu teamhugon the luscious Fenner’s grass courts.81

Cambridge UniversityLightweight Rowing ClubCambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club aims toproduce a crew of eight oarsmen and a coxswain to beat acrew from Oxfordmelee of spray and noise ahead, our more punchystyle slightly more effective than Oxford’s morecontinental rhythm in the poor conditions, givingus a lead of 2/3 of a length. Coming pastRemenham Club however the conditions beganto improve, particularly on Oxford’s moresheltered Buckinghamshire station, and theybegan to find their rhythm and close downCambridge, now struggling to find a race rhythmin the waves. By Fawley the crews were level, byRemenham Farm Oxford had taken a slight leadand by the island Oxford had managed to openup a comfortable and unassailable lead, whichthey maintained to the line.www.culrc.orgPresident: George Blessley, DowningSecretary: Mark Jacobs, PeterhouseSenior Treasurer: Dr Bill Nolan, RobinsonHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Edward Randolph, PeterhouseChristopher Kerr, St Catharine’sMark Aldred, DowningGeorge Blessley, DowningAlex Markham, FitzwilliamPeter Herrick, FitzwilliamBen Thomas, EmmanuelJames Fulcher, ClareJohn Kyffin, MagdaleneClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Wojciech Szlachta, GirtonJoshua Wedlake, MagdaleneDonald Evans, FitzwilliamAlistair Chappelle, PembrokeCambridge University Lightweight Rowing Clubaims to produce a crew of eight oarsmen and acoxswain to beat a crew from Oxford UniversityLightweight Rowing Club in the Henley BoatRaces, held annually in March or April.Lightweight rowing is an Olympic sport andallows people of average build to compete at anelite level.The training is intense but rewarding,and in recent years several CULRC squadmembers have gone on to represent theircountry at the World Rowing Championships. Ifyou want to go beyond college-level rowing butare too small for CUBC, CULRC is the club for you.Varsity Match23/3/08 Henley on ThamesLoss by 2 1 /2 lengthsThe 2008 Lightweight Boat Race began inatrocious conditions, with sleet, snow, high windsand white horses on the Henley stretch. At thestart both crews got off reasonably quickly, and500m down the track we emerged from theThis was a disappointing end to an otherwisegreat season for the CULRC – up until the boatrace we had won at every event where weentered an VIII. Some highlights of the seasonhad included third placing in a coxed fourcategory at the Fours Head of the River – a largenational event; as well as a very successfulJanuary training camp in Seville which saw ourcrews sharing a good stretch of water with the GBlwt and women’s squads.Looking forward to next year, we have multiplereturning triallists, as well as an establishedcoaching setup, giving us the best chance inrecent years of turning around a run of losses atthe Henley Boat Races.Other NewsCULRC Dev squad, Kingston Amateur Regatta,won Novice VIII and IV eventsCambridge Autumn Head – win in IV and VIII eventsCambridge Winter Head – win in VIII eventFairbairn Cup Race – 3rd and 5th overallBedford Head – S3 winners, top 5 ranking82 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityModern Pentathlon ClubThe club has been in existence for the last 50 years and is notonly competitive and successful but very sociable and friendlyhttp://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/cumpc/President: Emma Kenney-Herbert, EmmanuelCaptain: Lucy Greenwood, New Hall and NoelCochrane, St Catharine’sSecretary: Helen Randell, PembrokeSenior Treasurer: Professor D M Broom,St Catharine’sBlues Awarded 2007-08Nicky Brooks, St Catharine'sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Noel Cochrane, St Catharine'sNick England, St Catharine'sDaniel Housley, PembrokeDaniel James, St Edmund’sEdward Moffett, ChurchillJames Pelly,TrinityLucy Greenwood, New HallEmma Kenney-Herbert, EmmanuelSabrina Verjee, St Edmund’sCat Wilson, GirtonThe club has been in existence for the last 50years and is not only competitive and successfulbut very sociable and friendly. The sport consistsof running, swimming, shooting, fencing andhorse riding.We have a variety of members who come from abackground of pentathlon to those who havenever done any of it before, making it an excitingand diverse club where there is a lot of emphasison having fun as well as teaching and learningfrom each other.The Varsity Match at Easter is the highlight of theyear but there are also many other competitionsheld by us and throughout the country whereeveryone is welcome to compete whatever theirlevel of experience.Varsity Match3-5th April 2008,Tonbridge School, KentLadies’ team won, Gentlemens’ team lostThe 51st Modern Pentathlon Varsity Match beganin unusual style this year at St Pauls School,London. The five events were run over three daysand with the competition kindly organised byOxford Old Blues this year and generouslysponsored by Accenture. The first event was the200 metre swim. Cambridge performedoutstandingly in this event, starting as theymeant to continue with the majority of ourathletes achieving impressive PB’s. The Ladiesteam took the lead with the Gentlemen’s teamput up a strong performance but unfortunatelywere up against a hugely talented Oxford teamincluding a British Pentathlete Richard Hilldick-Smith, who set a new Gentlemen’s Varsityswimming record.The competition moved to Tonbridge School,Kent where all the competitors wereaccommodated and fed. Friday morning broughtan opportunity for the Cambridge Gentlemen todominate in the shooting phase with anexceptional PB by Nick England with a score of185/200 to win him the best shoot and put theteam back into the running. The Ladies team didwell in the phase extending their lead over theirOxford counterparts. The next event was thefence, the one event where it is possible to takepoints away from the opposing side putting ahuge amount of pressure on each member of theteam. With an incredible number of fencingcoaches present, the Cambridge team were ingood hands with some very skilful hits beingmade. Both teams did well only just letting theOxford teams beat them in this event.83

Duckhurst Farm hosted the riding phase (showjumping) on Saturday morning. After thedemonstration of horses and course walk, the firstriders were up.To make it fair, a random horse ischosen which is ridden by a member of eachopposing team. This is usually a strong phase forthe Cambridge athletes but with unpredictablehorses anything can happen. Both teams rodewell, mostly managing to perform better thantheir Oxford opposites on their respective horses.Emma Kenney-Herbert, club president, rode astunning round to complete the course clear, onesecond inside the time earning her maximumpoints and the trophy for the best ride.The final event held back at Tonbridge was the3000m run. The Cambridge ladies had asubstantial margin going into this phase whilethe Gentlemen had their work cut out if theywere going to overcome the Oxford team.A storming run was achieved by all and althoughthe Oxford Ladies put up a good fight theCambridge Ladies team were victorious. TheGentlemen all performed admirably butunfortunately could not do enough to take thetitle from the strong Oxford Gentlemen’s team.All of the Cambridge Gentlemen were awardedHalf Blues for good solid performances and aspecial mention should go to Nick England whoachieved his Half Blue after several years of trying.A stunning performance across the board ledNicky Brooks to a well deserved Full Blue (4600pentathlon points) after several year of comingvery close to it. She not only won the individualtitle but also the skills trophy for the best in theshoot, ride and fence.Cambridge’s reserve teams not only performedexceptionally well but were exceedingly helpfulin every event holding the whole of theCambridge squad together. Both the Ladies andthe Gentlemen’s reserve teams won proving thestrength and depth of the Cambridge side andbringing out some exciting talent for the future.The whole squad upheld a strong team spirit andeveryone helped each other through every stepof the way to a successful year for the club.Other NewsOverall the 07-08 season was successful for theModern Pentathlon Club. We had a good intakeof new recruits who performed well at NoviceVarsity held half way through Michaelmas Term inCambridge. Unfortunately we did not have anindividual Cambridge winner but overall theCambridge side beat that from Oxford. Sealionscompetition held at Whitgift school was attendedby some of the more experienced pentathletesbut was unfortunately plagued by injuryalthough Edd Moffett won the trophy for the bestride and Nick England won his section. Old Blueswas very competitive and won by Nicky Brooksand Dab James. BUSA went very well; LucyGreenwood almost managed to get the BUSArecord for the shooting phase and Sabrina Verjeecame 8th and managed to score over 4600points, a Full Blue score if achieved at varsity.The gentlemen did well but were up againststrong competition.84 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityNetball ClubCambridge University Ladies Netball Club is one of the mostimportant women’s sports clubs in Cambridgewww.culnc.orgPresident: Kerry Bloxham, New HallCaptain: Sarah Warren, HomertonSecretary: Harriet McGrath, JesusSenior Treasurer: Jo Nicholson, NewnhamBlues Awarded 2007-08Sarah Warren , HomertonHarriet McGrath, JesusSophie Hebblethwaite Sharpe, St Catharine’sEmma Rowley, PembrokeHeather Emmerson, St Catharine’sJo Nicholson, NewnhamRachel Rose Smith, MagdaleneHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Kerry Bloxham, New HallRebecca Crawshaw, JesusClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Ania Dean, St Catharine’sJoanna Keppe, GirtonAmy Till, EmmanuelClaire Brunner, JesusRachel McGinnety, Queens’Anya Saso, King’sKate Womersley, Gonville & CaiusLaura Mullarkey, RobinsonSarina Williams, DowningVictoria Smith, NewnhamSteph Jones, JesusElizabeth Bill, RobinsonAshley Wilson, RobinsonCambridge University Ladies Netball Club is oneof the most important women’s sports clubs inCambridge with a good reputation for fieldingteams of a high standard.The club provides topclass coaching to its members who play in theBUSA league every Wednesday.Varsity MatchSunday 17th February 2008: Iffley Road SportsCentre, OxfordOxford 30 – Cambridge 25Despite energetic and clearly well-rehearsedwarm-ups, both sides appeared nervous; Oxfordmissed their first three shots, whilst Cambridgeappeared slightly off the pace in the middle ofthe court, their slow movement allowing Oxfordinterceptions and preventing them from gettingshots on goal. Cambridge’s first goal eventuallycame after Oxford domination had already putthem two ahead. Oxford’s ability to pressuriseCambridge on the ball gave them the wealth ofpossession, and consequently more chances fortheir shooters to put away, despite the efforts ofWarren and Rowley in defence.The Blues trailedby five at the first break.The second quarter continued to see Oxfordcontrol the midfield, the Wing Attack particularlyproving as much a menace as Japanese touristsare for cyclists on Trinity Street. But Rowley andWarren were now really coming to the fore, agood interception by Warren leading to a goal forNicholson. But Cambridge’s inability to keeppossession was hurting them more and more,particularly as they began to miss the few chancesthat came their way. Oxford’s ascendancy soonbegan to show on the scoreboard as Cambridgewere left trailing 17-8 at the halfway point.Cambridge really needed to up their game andconfidence, which seemed to be wilting in theface of Oxford supremacy.To this end Bloxham,Darke and Crawshaw, recently returned frominjury, subbed on.Two goals in the openingminute from Crawshaw seemed to have the85

www.sophiepickford.comdesired effect and Cambridge were suddenlymuch more competitive in midfield.TheCambridge support even seemed to notice thedifference, their cheering drowning out anyOxford retaliation. Oxford seemed to becomemore sloppy, often giving away the ball easily inthe last third, although considerable credit againhas to go to the Cambridge defence, Rowley inparticular throwing herself about with littleregard for life or limb.The momentum was nowwith Cambridge, and they took the quarter 10-7,largely thanks to Crawshaw’s shooting, but also astep up in the team’s energy generally.All lay on the potentially tight last quarter, withCambridge still six points behind, but beginningto look the stronger team. Much depended ontheir ability to keep the momentum they haddeveloped in the face of certain Oxford defiance.A great interception from McGrath from therestart, which led to Crawshaw slotting homefrom the top of the D seemed to promise this.Both crowds sensed the tension, sending noiseresonating around the hall as Oxford clawed oneback.The Oxford midfield, so superior until thethird quarter, upped its game again, andpossession interchanged frantically, withinterceptions and dropped balls from both teamsas they tired. However, three Oxford goals on thetrot effectively put the match beyond the rangeof Cambridge’s final surge, which nonetheless didsee them win the final quarter 7-6.The secondhalf demonstrated just how closely matched thetwo teams were, and Cambridge may bedisappointed that they allowed Oxford to set thetempo of the early part of the match so easily,notwithstanding the committed performancesfrom captain Warren and Cambridge’s player ofthe match, Rowley, in defence.Other NewsThe 2007 – 2008 season saw CULNC continueits role as a key club for women’s sport inCambridge whilst growing and developing withthe help of two new professional coaches and anew training schedule.The club entered two teams in the BUSAtournament, both of which faced toughcompetition in their respective divisions.The1st team had some very exciting and tensematches, in particular against Birmingham 2nds,when they managed to turn over Birmingham’s7 goal lead in the last five minutes of the matchto win 35 – 33.The seconds have gone fromstrength to strength throughout the seasonbenefiting from increased time spent together oncourt and the contribution of some outstandingindividual performances.The club had 25 members this year all of whomdemonstrated exceptional standards ofcommitment, enthusiasm and skill throughoutthe season.The club was lucky to gain weeklycoaching from ex- England Captain Jo Moxhamwho contributed a great deal to raising theoverall standard of individuals and training theteam with new tactics.The success of this year’s club would not havebeen possible without the dedication of thecommittee who have done a fantastic job inorganising the running of the club, theenthusiasm of our coaches Jo, Mel and Patrickand of course the commitment of the girls thattook part.SponsorKPMG86 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityOrienteering ClubVarsity MatchUpsaala, Sweden 28th March 2008Men's team: OxfordWomen's team: OxfordOrienteering is a sport that combines map reading and routechoice with running in some beautiful placeshttp://www.cuoc.org.uk/President: Anya Crocker, JesusCaptain: Women's: Anya Crocker, JesusMen's: Chris Williamson, ChurchillSecretary: Clare Sutherland, ClareSenior Treasurer: Mike Blade, King’sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Ben Stevens,Trinity HallChris Williamson, ChurchillGraeme Ambler, WolfsonAdam Bennet, St John’sVictoria Stevens, JesusAnya Crocker, JesusClare Sutherland, ClareOrienteering is a sport that combines mapreading and route choice with running in somebeautiful places. Membership of CUOC is opento the whole University, we travel to around 4public events a term, sometimes going awayfor the whole weekend. Our members rangefrom complete beginners to British andInternational athletes with most peoplesomewhere in between.One of the highlights of the year is the trainingcamp in early December. We use some excellentareas in the Lake District for technique training –it’s a must for everyone keen to develop theirorienteering outside of East Anglia.We also organise our own events, the CambridgeSprintO for University clubs, and Cuppers, anintercollegiate competition in Cambridge.The Varsity match with Oxford is held in Lentterm each year, there are teams for eveyone whowants to come along.87

Cambridge UniversityPolo ClubCambridge University Polo Club (CUPC) is a rapidly growingclub with over 40 student membershttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/cupolo/President: HRH Prince of Wales,TrinityCaptain: Liam Gamble, RobinsonSecretary: Sam Outtridge, ChurchillSenior Treasurer: Dr Mark Johnson, SelwynHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Liam Gamble, RobinsonMaximilian Kirchhoff, DowningHarriet Pepper, MagdaleneTobi Edun, Corpus ChristiThe club is fortunate enough to own sixArgentine polo ponies, located within cyclingdistance of the town centre.We organise lessonsand chukkas on most days for all standards ofPlayer, combining a mix of Arena Polo during theWinter months with outdoor Polo and aprofessional coach during the Summer.The Club teams also compete against local andother University Polo Clubs, including the VarsityMatch against Oxford, and the Atlantic Cupagainst the Ivy League Universities.Needless to say we don’t just play Polo but alsoorganise regular social events throughout the year.Varsity MatchA Team: Guards Polo Club, Windsor, Saturday7th JuneB Team: Haggis Farm Polo Club, Cambridge,Sunday 8th JuneA Team: 0 Cambridge – 4 OxfordB Team 16 Cambridge – 0 OxfordA team – In front of a 10,000 strong crowd at theprestigious Guards polo club, the CUPC 1st fourtook to the field, against an Oxford side that onpaper were much stronger. A very strongperformance from Cambridge, kept the score at0-0 after the first chukka, with tough markingfrustrating the Oxford team. Unfortunately,despite continued pressure, Oxford brokethrough in the second and scored right beforethe bell.Both teams knew the third was to be a decisivechukka. Cambridge attacked early withnumerous breaks from Max Kirchhoff, clevertactical play from Tobi Edun and Harriet Pepperand strong support from Liam Gamble. However,the ball repeatedly sailed wide, and a Cambridgegoal was to remain elusive. Oxford, on the otherhand, despite having fewer chances, managed tosnatch two more goals in quick succession, andCambridge knew they had to find somethingspecial. The team put everything into the final7 minutes, and managed excellently to closedown an aggressive and experienced Oxford side.The game ended with the score at 0-4. However,Cambridge held their heads high, knowing theyhad surprised a highly skilled Oxford team.Special mention goes to Tobi Edun who receivedthe Most Valuable Player trophy.88 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

B team – The B team match was once againplayed at CUPCs home club, just outside the citycentre. For yet another year, the Cambridge teamdominated throughout the match. CUPCssuperior infrastructure, and training schememeant an excellently prepared team, made upentirely of players trained exclusively byCambridge, took to the field, and established a9-0 lead after 2 chukkas. From here the teamrelaxed and excellent runs from James Colgateand Emily Lunn, continued the deluge of goals,whilst superb marking from Sam Outtridge andBecca Martin continually denied a frustratedOxford team from scoring. The game ended withCambridge celebrating a 16-0 win.Polo is a fast paced, exhilarating, and highlyentertaining sport, don’t forget to come andwatch next year! Visit www.varsitypolo.co.uk formore info.SponsorsJack WillsLa Martinawww.sophiepickford.com89

Cambridge UniversityPowerlifting ClubCambridge University Powerlifting Club exists to facilitatestrength training within the Universityalso put in a sound all-round performance,including a notable deadlift of 210kg. Oxford'sEvren Cubukgil put in some gutsy lifts tocomplete the Oxford team.There were also three non-scoring lifters fromOxford. Chris Adler would have ranked 6th overall,with a particularly respectable bench of 125kg at72kg bdw. Alex Forte was notable in the squat,and coming in just behind Chris Adler. Dan Adlerhad suffered a groin injury and therefore hissquat and deadlift were nominal, but his bench of135kg at 72kg bdw was an impressive outcome.http://www.srcf.ucam.org/cuplc/index.phpPresident: Andrew Lee, JesusCaptain: Andrew Lee, JesusSecretary: Adam Scrivner, Department of EarthScience & Gavin JonesSenior Treasurer: Dave Chapman,TrinityCambridge University Powerlifting Club (CUPLC)exists to facilitate strength training within theUniversity and particularly to supply apowerlifting team to compete in the annualVarsity powerlifting match. As well as dedicatedpowerlifters, our membership includes sportingpeople from various other disciplines (athletics,martial arts, sailing, rugby, rowing), as well as anumber of people who train simply as part of ahealthy lifestyle, without sporting ambitions.Varsity Match15th of June 2008, Powerlifting Room FennersCambridge 1103 beat Oxford 1060The top lifter was Luke Pike from Oxford, with amassive final deadlift of 282.5kg, edging just onepoint ahead of Dave Chapman from Cambridge.Dave put in good lifts in all three events, fightingback from an early squat wobble and making abench of 155kg look like a warm-up.Third rankedCambridge man Ethan Eade wowed the Oxfordonlookers with his exceptional bench press – hetook 165kg (at bdw 78kg) and just missed 170kg.The Committee is looking into ways to persuadehim to squat and deadlift more often. Fourth wasDaniele Selmi of Oxford, with an especiallyimpressive deadlift of 250kg at bdw 78.5kg. Fifthwas the Cambridge captain Andrew Lee, with adevastating squat of 205kg and a serious pull of235kg. Matt Llewellyn Jones of Oxford was sixth,and looked solid in all the lifts, only failing hisopening squat due to some over-enthusiasticspotting from a generally excellent crew ofspotters and loaders. Cambridge's Tom JamesOther NewsEathan Eade won the National UnequippedBench Press Championships, setting a newnational record in the 82.5kg class, with amassive lift of 165kgSteve Martin came 2nd in the 110kg class ofthe National 3-lift Championships, whileAndrew Lee came 4th in the 82.5kg class.90 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityReal Tennis ClubReal tennis is the original racquet sport; it is a fast-paced gamethat requires strength and speed but also finessewww.curtc.netCaptain: Jamie Douglas, St John’sJulia Clarke, St John’sSenior Treasurer: Dr Jeremy Fairbrother,TrinityBlues Awarded 2007-08David Woodman,TrinityJamie Douglas, St John’sKaren Hird, St Catharine’sSarah Vigrass, Gonville & CaiusClare Watson, Corpus ChristiHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Burak Salgin, Gonville & CaiusEdward Pearson, RobinsonMarsali Grant,Trinity HallReal tennis is the original racquet sport; it is afast-paced game that requires strength andspeed but also finesse. Cambridge University isone of only three clubs in the country to havetwo Real Tennis courts. The club has a largestudent community and new members andplayers are always welcome.Varsity Match22-23 February 2008, MCCMen won 5-1, Women won 6-0The Men’s and Women’s Varsity matches wereagain hosted at the prestigious MCC where theplayers and guests from both universities wereentertained by some superb tennis with thegenerous support of Pol Roger, the renownedproducer of excellent champagne.On the Friday the Women’s Blues took to thecourt for their singles matches. Marsali Grantplayed a very controlled match, intercepting theball early throughout; she won against EmilyJohnson 6-0, 6-2. In the next match it would havebeen understandable for there to have beensome confusion in the crowd as the players hadrepresented opposing universities in the previousyear. Clare Watson, now studying a PGCE atCorpus Christi, was much too strong for CharlotteBarker, now doing her clinical years at Oxford –Watson winning 6-1, 6-0. At this point Oxford wasstill in the match but was unable to win a furthergame in the remaining four matches of the event.Although the Oxford women gave it their all theywere up against players ranked in the top ten inthe world. Sarah Vigrass defeated VictoriaOrmerod and Karen Hird defeated EmmaOrmerod. On the Saturday, Karen partneredMarsali to defeat Victoria and Charlotte and Sarahpartnered Clare to defeat Emma and Emily.Cambridge won 6-0.The reverse of the format used by the womenwas employed for the men. Jamie Douglas andBurak Salgin started slowly in the second-stringdoubles but were able to withstand the Oxfordpair, winning 6-5, 6-1, 6-0. In the first-stringdoubles, the Varsity veteran David Woodman wassupported by the promising Edward Pearson.Their opponents tested the Cambridge pair andwon the second set by a convincing margin toindicate to the crowd that there was more tocome. Cambridge countered, winning the thirdset 6-0 and were just able to fight off Oxford’sfinal attack to win 6-4, 2-6, 6-0, 6-5. On theSaturday, Ed Pearson was the underdog againstthe more experienced Sam Halliday. Ed knew heneeded to start well, and he did, but at 4-2 up hewas unable to withstand his opponent’s morepenetrating shots. At 5-5 Halliday took commandof the match, only dropping one further game towin 6-5, 6-1.The Oxford no.3 was of a similar standard to theirnos. 4 and 2, so Burak Salgin was expected to win.Although his opponent, Horatio Cary, showedexcellent racket control, the formidable91

Cambridge player was always a step ahead,winning 6-3, 6-3.The Cambridge Captain, knownfor his ruthlessness, was next. Jamie Douglas, stillon a high from his recent Premier League matchwhen he defeated Mark Hobbs, a scratch player,was matched with another Oxford fresher,TomDance.Tom was athletic and focused but Jamiegave away nothing, literally, as the score was 6-0,6-0. Cambridge had now reached an unassailablelead and as the proceedings were ahead ofschedule there was an opportunity for thereserves to play an exhibition mixed doubles.Thiswas also an excellent opportunity for Ali Hakimiand Julia Clarke (Ladies’ Captain) to accumulatesome valuable Varsity experience; it is hoped thatthey might both play in the first team in thefuture. After a slow start the Cambridge pairfound their form, winning 4-6, 6-2, 6-4. A hugecrowd was in attendance for the premier matchbetween David Woodman (+3 ) and the Oxfordno.1 Will Fortune. Although Fortune is considereda future star he was unable to cope withWoodman’s mastery.Woodman won 6-2, 6-2.Other NewsDavid WoodmanAmateur Singles Winner 2008David Woodman & Jamie DouglasAmateur Doubles Winner 2008Winning members of UK Bathurst Cup (topamateur men’s) teamJamie DouglasWinning member of National League PremierDivision teamKaren HirdBritish Open Singles Semi-Finalist 2008Billy Ross Skinner National Mixed Doubles Winner2008Sarah VigrassBritish Open Singles Quarter-Finalist 2008An excellent dinner in the Long Room waspreceded by a Champagne Reception in theMuseum.The players and the guests of the MCCwere treated to an excellent evening of fine food,wine and good company.92 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityRevolver & Pistol ClubCURPC is a club that enables members to shoot pistols andgallery rifles regularlyhttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/curpc/President: James MallowsCaptain: Cheng Liu, Gonville & CaiusSecretary: Xiao Han, St John’sSenior Treasurer: John Williams, Hughes HallHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Cheng Liu, Gonville & CaiusJuan Tian, NewnhamChristopher Bamford, Queens’Xueni Zhu, DarwinDaniel Kumbang, Queens’Club Colours Awarded 2007-08Imran Yusuff, Corpus ChristiWenjun Qu, DowningXiao Han, St John’sCURPC is a club that enables members to shootpistols and gallery rifles regularly and gives themopportunity to enter competitions at varsity,county and international level.Varsity Match17 February 2008Oxford winThis year’s Cambridge team was pitted against a verystrong Oxford team that included three internationallevelpistol shooters,whereas the Cambridge teamcomprised of relatively new shooters that weretrained from the ground up since they had onlystarted pistol shooting at University.Shooting is a mixed sport and the first teamcomprised of Cheng Liu (Captain), Chris Bamford,Juan Tian (Female) and Daniel Kumbang.Thescore achieved was 2084 against Oxford’s 2166.Full scores can be viewed here:http://users.ox.ac.uk/~pistol/results/sbvarsity2008.shtmlAll of the first team scored above 500/600 andhence qualify for Half Blue status, which ChengLiu and Chris Bamford will be re-awardedwhereas Juan Tian and Daniel Kumbang willreceive for the first time.Other NewsCURPC participated in the Annual Past andPresent Match held at Bisley and shot Rapid FireAir Pistol, .22 cal semi-automatic rifles and .357cal lever-action carbines.There were 10participants in this event.The course of fire wasset by the past members who organised theevent. Daniel Kumbang scored the highest in the.22 cal semi-automatic rifle event.This year, two members, Juan Tian and DanielKumbang managed to qualify for Intershoot, anInternational Competition held in The Hague, andis a competition that fields the best shots in theworld, many of whom shoot in the Olympics fortheir respective countries. However, due tounforeseen circumstances, both were unable tobe present for the competition.Imran Yusuff took part in every event of theCambridge 177 competition, which comprised ofprecision (single shot) pistol, rapid fire pistol, airrifle and duelling pistol events. He achieved thewooden spoon in all events, and considering thiswas his first time competing in the competition, itwas not such a bad thing.Imran Yusuff also won the Handicap Match Cup,which was reinstated this year to even theplaying field among the more experiencedshooters with the new shooters. It was arrangedin such a way that the shooter who improved themost over the month that the competition washeld would win the cup.93

Cambridge UniversityRiding ClubWe seek to include those interested in riding at any level fromcomplete beginners up to top level international competitorshttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/curiding/President: Ali Hepburn, Christ’sCaptain: Sam Cutts, EmmanuelSecretary: Laura Gowing, Sidney Sussex /Fi Mawer, Queens’Senior Treasurer: Dr Frances HensonBlues Awarded 2007-08Sam Cutts, EmmanuelVarsity Match20/04/08, Morton Morrell College, WarksCambridge victoryThe Cambridge Riding team of Sam Cutts (Capt),Emma Kenney-Herbert, Jenny Morgan and EddMoffett pulled out all the stops to take a record6th consecutive Varsity Riding title, despite abroken finger for the Captain and other sicknessin the ranks.Kenney-Herbert and Cutts also took 2nd and 3rdindividual placings respectively. Cutts said:“I amabsolutely delighted with how the team hasperformed today.We didn’t have an idealpreparation for Varsity but skill anddetermination have shone through.”Other NewsThe Cambridge team won all 3 BUSA leaguematches, impressively also taking the top 3individual places in each match.They thereforequalified for the Regional Championships wherethey were narrowly beaten by Birmingham. SamCutts won the competition overall individuallybut was unable to attend the BUSAChampionships due to time commitments toWorlds Selection trials (see below).Natalie McGoldrick (Churchill College), in her sixthyear studying Veterinary Medicine, and Sam Cutts(Emmanuel College), in her fourth year of thesame course, have both been shortlisted for theGreat Britain Team for the Student RidingChampionships, to be held in Algeria in 2008/2009.Half Blues Awarded 2007-08Jenny Morgan, St John’sEmma Kenney-Herbert, EmmanuelEdd Moffett, ChurchillClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Anne Lo, FitzwilliamWe seek to include those interested in riding atany level; from complete beginners up to toplevel international competitors.We have athriving social, training and competition network.New members always welcome!The 2008 Varsity Riding Match was held atMoreton Morrell College, Warks and was hostedby Oxford, who this year were a somewhatunknown quantity as the teams had not met inany other competitions. The Cambridge teamtook a narrow lead after the dressage rounds butthe competition was still very open heading in tothe jumping rounds. Here the Cambridge teamrose magnificently to the pressure, each riderreturning two zero-penalty scores to giveCambridge the win by over 20 penalties.6th year Vet Student Dilly Nock has also kept theLight Blue flag flying, winning the 2nd everInternational Students Flat Race at Longchamps,Paris this Easter and making it 2/2 victories forCambridge; following Cutts’ victory last year.94 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityRifle AssociationCURA is the University’s rifle shooting club, firing full-bore riflesat targets up to 1200 yards awaywww.cam.ac.uk/societies/cura/President: Lt. Col. Simon Gray (CO of CUOTC)Captain: Robert Bogie, Christ’s CollegeSecretary: Benjamin Yates,Trinity CollegeSenior Treasurer: Dr Diana Henderson, Queens’Half Blues Awarded 2007-08Lara Bogie, Christ’sHenry Day, St Catharine’sEdward Dickson,Trinity HallHolly Foster, ChurchillGeorge Wright, MagdaleneGareth Morris, RobinsonJohn Lindsay III, DowningClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Adam Mayers, ChurchillSuhrid Joshi, Queens’James Diviney, Gonville & CaiusAngus Logan,TrinityCURA is the University’s rifle shooting club, firingfull-bore rifles at targets up to 1200 yards away.Active during the Easter vacation, the subsequentterm and the summer vacation, CURA shootsagainst universities, other rifle clubs and evennational sides. It holds the record for the longestsuccession of Varsity victories – 24. Above all, rifleshooting is a relaxed, enjoyable open-air pursuitwhere skill and camaraderie play the largest parts.Varsity MatchNational Shooting Centre, Bisley.TR – Fri 25th July 2008 ~ MR – Thu 17th July 2008TR – Cambridge win 1141.99 vs. Oxford 1127.96MR – Cambridge win 836.74 vs. Oxford 835.70The first Varsity match of the summer was that ofthe Match Rifle – The Humphry.With a largenumber of potential team candidates, a team ofgreat strength was able to be selected by Vice-Captain Adam Mayers (Chu). Rosanne Furniss (TH),Gaz Morris (R) and Suhrid Joshi (Q) joined himto shoot the match, under an elite team ofnational coaches.The standard was very high both from our ownteam and the opposition, Rosanne opening witha near perfect score and placing Cambridge witha healthy 6 point advantage after the first range(1000 yds). At the second range (1100 yds),however, Oxford pulled back to close this deficitto only 2 points.The final range (1200 yds) showed inevitablelower scores with more effect from the wind, andmental pressure from the occasion.While itseemed that Oxford were shooting straighter andscoring higher, their organisation let them down.One rifle that was being used did not have therear-sight aligned correctly, causing a pair ofmisses to count for the team.This provided justenough of a penalty to grant Cambridge thevictory by a single point – certainly one of thetightest matches in recent history.The following week saw what many regard as thebiggest target rifle match for the University team– The Chancellors.With an exceptional squad tochoose from both in terms of size and ability,captain Robert Bogie (Chr) chose those who hadperformed the best throughout the Imperialweek, a team of 8 of which he was not a member.Andy Nowacki (R) was the only previous Half-Bluein a surprisingly young team.Young in years,though certainly not experience. Holly Foster(Chu), Ed Dickson (TH), Henry Day (StC) and LaraBogie (Chr) all shot for Cambridge in this, theirfirst year at the University, but brought with themexperience from both national and internationalmatches of various levels. A famous name aroundBisley Camp, Gaz Morris also shot for the team,bringing all the experience that comes with a95

Commonwealth medallist to the side. JohnLindsay (D) and George Wright (Mag) filled theremaining positions.The team were predicted a good victory, andthere were hopes of a record score as a very calmmorning saw the start of the match. At theshortest distance there was virtually no wind,however, the team did not perform as well asexpected under such conditions. Possible signs ofnerves from a team with so many novices firing ina varsity match.The first range (300yds) finishedwith Cambridge a mere 3 points in the lead.Oxford continued to apply pressure and shootwell at the second range (500 yds) pulling levelwith the Cambridge team, and ahead by a singleV-bull. It was this stage at which the experience ofthe youngsters showed through, as the pressureof the match rose to its peak.Many teams struggle most at 600 yds, the windhaving more effect and the mental pressurerising to a climax for the firers.This was certainlyevident from the Kolapore match in which GreatBritain were firing, which took place alongsidethe Universities. Scores often drop at this pointcreating a very tight finish to the matches. Not forthis years Chancellor’s team however.The firers, many eager to know the standing asthey thrived on the pressure, set out with a steelydetermination to make up for firing below theirown personal expectations in the first two ranges.Having come out with the intention of notdropping the range score they actually managedto improve by a full 8 points on the previousrange.This outstanding effort was led by HenryDay, who scored a 147.15 which roughly equalledthe average of the Great Britain team, and was apoint higher than the expected Full Bluestandard. Sadly he had not qualified to be in therunning for a Full-Blue having not shot in thewinter small-bore varsity. Gaz Morris who hadbeen on for a Full-Blue sadly missed the requiredscore of 146 by a single point.The final result was a well-earned victory forCambridge, winning by 14 points. But this wasnot the end of the summer for the team.All individuals and 2 teams of 4 were entered tothe BUSA Championships. Short range scoreswere taken from the Chancellors and from theMusketeers match. Cambridge’s 3rd IV entered theMusketeers competition against other Universities’1st IVs.They performed exceptionally to finish in3rd place, ahead of 4 other universities and in frontof big names such as London and Southampton.The team included Adam Mayers, Suhrid Joshi,Angus Logan (T) and James Diviney (G&C).These firers joined the Chancellors team in theUniversities Long Range final, and the final stageof the BUSA team championships. Reserve BenYates (T) replaced Gaz Morris.The first of tworanges were led by Cambridge Anjou team, andclosely followed by Cambridge Burgundy, lessthan a point away. However, after a strong finishfrom Oxford they stole 2nd place, but allowedCambridge not only a victory in the Long Rangematch, but also to be to be BUSA Champions, andto hold 3rd place with the ‘B’ team. Specialmention must also go to Holly Foster, who wonthe women’s individual event, and Ed Dicksonwho came 3rd in the men’s.This concludes what has been a very successfulyear for CURA in incredible style, and the captainwould like to thank both his committee formaking it possible and the team for achieving somuch.With such a young team, it also spells greatthings for the future of the club, and many moregreat achievements will inevitably follow downthe line.Robert Bogie96 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityRugby Union Football ClubCURUFC is a wholly amateur student rugby club aiming to offeran atmosphere as professional as it can beVarsity MatchVarsity Match Twickenham StadiumOxford 16 – 22 CambridgeCambridge made it three wins in a row in theLehman Brothers 126th Varsity match atTwickenham.The later start meant anatmospheric floodlit match and a vociferouscrowd of 34,000 witnessed a tremendous game.Both teams had good periods of dominance butultimately Cambridge’s fantastic defence in thelast ten minutes as ‘The other place’ laid siege totheir line was the telling factor.www.curufc.comPresident: Prof B F G Johnson, FitzwilliamCaptain: J J R Dawson, St Edmund’sSecretary: P Crossley, HomertonSenior Treasurer: John BamfordBlues Awarded 2007-08H W W Murray, St Edmund’sA J Stevenson, St Catharine’sC C Lewis, St Catharine’sA W Reid, St John’sJ S Wellwood, St Edmund’sR P Broadfoot, Hughes HallR A Blake, Hughes HallA W P Fitzpatrick, Gonville and CaiusJ J Clark, St Edmund’sJ J R Dawson, St Edmund’sT P Boynton, Hughes HallJ W K Blaikie, Hughes HallR J Bartholomew, JesusJ J Wheeler, St Edmund’sJ M Lumby, Hughes HallT W Malaney, St Edmund’sJ E M Fiori, JesusJ M Greenwood, Hughes HallCURUFC is a wholly amateur student rugby clubaiming to offer an atmosphere as professional asit can be.There are three regular teams, the Blues,the LX Club and the U21 XV together withoccasional fixtures for the U21A and Colleges XV.Teams are selected on merit and all receive highquality coaching and support from well qualified,experienced personnel.On midweek afternoons 20 college teams alsocompete in the Colleges Leagues and Cupperstournament.There are a number of other rugbyrealated events annually including overseas toursand sevens tournaments.Cambridge were also marginally more clinical intheir finishing and had a brilliant start scoring inthe second minute following a probing kick byRoss Blake, an effective chase and a well organiseddriving maul from the lineout. A Broadfootpenalty increased the lead to 8-0 but after20 minutes the Dark Blues settled and beganto accumulate points through a drop goal byMcMahon and then a converted try by Mahoney.After the half time break another penaltyincreased the lead to 13-8 and Cambridge werelooking wobbly and as influential fly half RossBroadfoot limped off, the momentum was with theDark Blues. McMahon duly added another dropgoal after sustained pressure. However, the strongCambridge bench made an impact as first flankerTom Malaney scored from another catch and drivewith Juliano Fiori, the other replacement backrower, kicking the conversion to reduce the scoreto 16-15 and the game was back in the balance.Cambridge seized the initiative and with tenminutes remaining No. 8 James Lumby poweredhis way through three tackles to score near the97

posts.Fiori was ice cool in converting.‘The otherplace’now needed a converted try and literallythrew everything at the Cambridge line for the lastten minutes.A potential catch and driveopportunity was lost,ferocious defence on the‘pickand go’tactics at rucks and fantastic discipline notto give away penalties massively contributed to thejubilation shown at the final whistle.The last ditchaction took place at the north end appropriatelyjammed with students and the level of support forthe Light Blues was awe inspiring.Other NewsJJ Clark,TW Malaney and J M Lumby wereselected for the England Universities XVBlues team played 17 matches 9 wins 8 lossesapart from Varsity MatchBlues went on tour to JapanLX Club and U21 team played in pre-World Cuptournament in Languedoc-RoussillonPlayer of the year was Ross BlakeFormer Blue Joe Ansbro was awarded aprofessional contract at Northampton Saints andplayed for them in the EDF Cup Final.Ed Kalman played professionally for Glasgow andis currently in the Scotland A team playing in theChurchill CupSponsorsSamuraiLehman BrothersEden ParkGilbert and Co98 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityWomen’s Rugby UnionFootball ClubMore young women playing, with greater enthusiasm andcommitment than ever beforehttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/cuwrfc/index.phpPresident: Meg Gardiner, HomertonCaptain: Laura Britton, JesusSecretary: Jennie Popham, NewnhamSenior Treasurer: Ian Mills, WolfsonHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Louise Anning, GirtonJoanna Bradley,TrinityLaura Britton, JesusEllie Coen, NewnhamClaire Dawkins,Trinity HallCarol Evans, St John’sMeg Gardiner, HomertonLucy Hartwell, DowningZoe Leake, St Catharine’sKrishnaa Mahbubani, PembrokeHannah Martin, HomertonEmily Matthews, JesusJennie Popham, NewnhamClaudia Reitamier, St John’sKate Robson, GirtonRachel Thompson, New HallSarah Walker, GirtonJessica Withey, New HallClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Francesca Bailey, Gonville & CaiusIllona Bayliss, St Catharine’sTiffany Bogich, St Catharine’sVanessa Buchan, Queens’Fiona Davies,TrinityCarol Evans, St John’sJoanna Harris, MagdaleneSammie Hurrell, FitzwilliamLauren Iredale, GirtonErica Marshell, Sidney SussexRebeca McLaughlin, ChurchillEmma Murphy,TrinityRachel Nixon, GirtonJessica Phillips, NewnhamRhianna Pugh, St John’sKate Robson, GirtonKim Roper, EmmanuelAmanda Scott, St John’sAndrea Turner, Queens’Becca Vaughan, St Catharine’sErni Visser, Queens’Katie Wooller, JesusWomen’s Rugby is an up and coming sportthroughout Britain and many other countriesworldwide – this is reflected in the Universitywhere each year there are more young womenplaying, with greater enthusiasm andcommitment than the year before.Varsity Match1st March 2008. Iffley Road, Oxford.Cambridge Blues 13-Oxford Blues 12Cambridge Tigers 8-Oxford Panthers 5On the 1st March, the 21st women's Varsity Matchkicked off in bright sunshine at Oxford's IffleyRoad pitch. Cambridge had not enjoyed victorysince 2003 but went into the match with greatambition, in contrast to an Oxford side whoseemed convinced that a fifth successive victorywas only 80 minutes away.Oxford had first kick-off and immediately putpressure on Cambridge, forcing them onto theback-foot.This pressure was the story of the firsthalf; Oxford played the ball in the backs andCambridge's defence was stretched to its limits.The frustration showed and Cambridge gaveaway a number of careless penalties but Oxfordfailed to capitalise and Cambridge refused to relent.Captain and fly-half Laura Britton and centresHannah Martin and Rachel Thompson defended99

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exceptionally well, putting in tackle after tackle.Oxford's back three were venomous in attack anddespite a try-saving tackle by full-back Ellie Coen,Oxford's right wing eventually broke through toscore between the posts. Oxford converted andwent ahead 7-0 and soon put another try pastCambridge after a lucky offload to their number15.The score was 12-0 and it looked likeCambridge might be in for another drubbing.But shortly before half-time Oxford gave away apenalty in front of the posts after Cambridgebroke in to Oxford's 22. Claudia Reitmaierconverted to take the score at half-time to 12-3.Despite being behind Cambridge never lostbelief and re-emerged after half-time stronger,more focussed and twice as determined. Oxford'scomplacency and inability to raise their game inthe face of a punishing Cambridge pack showed.Cambridge muffled their creativity time andagain, with replacement full-back Kate Robsonmaking some lung-crunching tackles, eventuallybeing sidelined for her trouble. Carol Evansstepped in at 15, out of position, and the massesof Cambridge supporters were on tenterhooks.With just 18 minutes to go and 9 points down,Cambridge had a formidable task. In the end itwas the Cambridge pack who took the game bythe scruff of the neck and forced the ballforwards, rucking and rolling towards Oxford'sline. Cambridge veteran Joanna Bradley stretchedthe ball across for a try and put Cambridge withinfive points of victory. After the restart and inalmost identical fashion, the Light Blues weresoon in Oxford's 22 again, mauling and heavingtheir way up and across the pitch, not quiterunning out of room before a tap and go penaltyled to Jennie Popham touching down to putCambridge one point ahead.The far outconversion proved too challenging and thematch restarted with three minutes to go and thescore at 13-12 in Cambridge's favour.These were the scrappiest minutes of the match,with another Oxford player sin-binned as theyforced the ball back into the light-blues' half. In aheart stopping moment, Cambridge conceded apenalty not far wide of the posts and Oxfordchose to kick. One miss-kick later and Cambridgewere the deserving victors. It was a real teameffort; the light-blue backs kept Cambridge in thematch with exceptional defence in the first halfand the forwards won it in the second, holdingtheir own in every scrum and driving in twocrucial match-winning tries.Tigers’ Match ReportCUWRFC should be proud of their achievementsthis year.The second team also won their VarsityMatch in similar heart stopping style, hosted byOxford at Christ Church College pitches on themorning of March 1st. It was a close affair, withCambridge going 5-0 down early on in the firsthalf. Frustrated with the referee and knowingthey could play so much better, Cambridgereturned in the second half with determination.Vanessa Buchan came off the bench to score aforward's try although the conversion wentbegging.With the score level at 5-5 there waseverything to play for.Then, in the seventy-eighthminute Oxford conceded a penalty andCambridge's Katie Wooller bravely took the kickand grabbed the three points and victory forCambridge. In the end it was 8-5 to theCambridge Tigers and a well-deserved win.Other NewsWe finished second in the BUSA MidlandsDivision 1, losing only 1 match to NottinghamTrent University.This second place saw us enteredinto the National BUSA Trophy Competitionwhere we made it through to the final, narrowlylosing to Glamorgan University 5-7.In our local RFUW league we finished sixth after aseason of hard,physical matches and demonstratinghow we deserve to be in this division.We achieved a double victory on Varsity day withour Tigers’ team winning 8-5 and the Blues 13-12in two closely-fought matches.This is the onlytime in the club’s history that a double victory hasbeen achieved by the Cambridge teams and onlythe fourth time that the Cambridge Blues havewon altogether against Oxford.Three of our players were selected for the Eastregional squad this year; Louise Anning, JoannaBradley and Laura Britton.A new link with the University of Lille was createdthis season, with a match being played againsttheir women’s team at the London Wasps Ground.A Varsity warm-up match was also played hereagainst the Wasps Ladies, which saw adetermined Cambridge side score two triesagainst these more experienced players.SponsorsLehman BrothersSamurai101

Cambridge UniversityAmateur Rugby LeagueFootball ClubThe season is focussed on our annual Varsity Match, which isheld at Twickenham Stoopwww.cuarlfc.comPresident: Matt Bray, Gonville & CaiusCaptain: James Shearman, Sidney SussexSecretary: Paddy Hunt, Sidney SussexSenior Treasurer: Dr R McConnel, St John’sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08James Shearman, Sidney SussexMatt Bray, Gonville & CaiusPaul Dower, GirtonAli Glass, SelwynFreddie Humphreys, FitzwilliamPatrick Hunt, Sidney SussexIgnacio Quintana, MagdaleneJosh Randell, FitzwilliamCarl Schroeder, SelwynMax Stechman, Sidney SussexJames Shaw-Stewart, PembrokeMark Sweeney, MagdaleneGeorge Sykes, Sidney SussexLuke Tyson, MagdaleneAlfy Weston, GirtonIan Whiskerd, ClareRupert Wingate-Saul, Sidney SussexThe season is focussed on our annual VarsityMatch, which is held at Twickenham Stooptowards the end of the Lent Term and broadcastlive on Sky Sports. During Michaelmas and Lentwe also play in the BUSA league and cupcompetitions.Varsity Match6th March,Twickenham StoopOxford 38 – Cambridge 12Oxford powered away with the 2008 Varsityrugby league match.The Dark Blues producedsome breath-taking rugby to run in seven tries totwo at the Twickenham Stoop.Cambridge dominated the early stages, but hadno answer to Oxford's clinical finishing led bywinger James Batstone. Batstone flew in for twolong-range tries, both largely against the run ofplay, inside the opening 20 minutes. A 50-metretry from centre Tom Waterfield extended Oxford'sadvantage just before half time to make it 16-0.Three further tries in the first 12 minutes of thesecond half saw Oxford power out of sight of ashell-shocked Cambridge who were given a reallesson. Going into the final quarter the scorestood at 32-0.The Light Blues were able tosalvage some pride by finally converting theirgood field position and continued pressure intopoints, with tries from substitutes Alfy Westonand Ian Whiskerd and a goal from George Sykes.Oxford finished in control with substitute HughMcCormick scoring a seventh try in the lastminute. Oxford’s win cuts Cambridge’s overalllead in the event to 15-12 with one match drawn.Other NewsThe 2007/8 season was the usual mixed bag ofresults for CUARLFC. John Evans was employed asfull-time Head Coach, and as a result the playerswere worked harder than ever before andprovided with an organisation and schoolingbase normally only available to those in theprofessional arena.The training regime includedskills and fitness sessions as well as game preps,the 6.30am ‘killer’ circuit training, followed by icebaths,and video analysis of games via newlyacquired Sports Performer software.The aim, asever, is to ensure that October’s new arrivals, mostof whom have never played RL before, aretransformed into hard-hitting, well drilled,motivated individuals, working as a gelled unit.In 5 months!102 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Highlights of this season include the Battle ofCarcassonne while touring France in January,playing against St Helens, Harlequins RL andWarrington Wolves U-21's in the month leadingup to the Varsity Match, and of course the tourdown the east coast of Australia over summer.These are memories that will stay with players forthe rest of their lives, but also provide invaluableRugby League experience and battle hardeningfor the players and coaches to build on.In a round-up after the unsuccessful VarsityMatch in March, John reflected that although wewere in control of the football for large passagesof play during the game, as well as exerting gooddefensive pressure at the ruck, we did not playenough football at the front of the field. As ateam we are now working on opening up thispart of the field – but in order to make thissuccessful we need to improve our core skills –catching, passing, kicking and decision making.It's a big responsibility for the players because theshots are called on the field and can’t be rehearsedto the finest detail – and you need to have arecovery plan in place in case it doesn't work.members back next year. If we can transfer thehard work put in during the tour we will hit theBUSA season running and build up a momentumthat will be hard to stop.Off the field, this year has also seen the rise ofSport Sunday at Vodka Revolution, a weekly nightput on by the Rugby League boys, headed byPaddy Hunt, where ticket sales have massivelyhelped fund this summer’s three-week tour toAustralia. The continued backing of ClubChairman Martin Woodcock, himself a four-timeVarsity player and Captain back in the 80’s, as wellas some other old boys piping up has also hugelyhelped this tour take off.Thanks to everyoneinvolved in helping make the tour literally theopportunity of a lifetime.Matthew Bray, CUARLFC PresidentSponsorsBarclays Global InvestorsBaker & McKenzieMaximuscleSteedenThe trip to Australia was the biggest advantageimaginable for the players who are returning thisyear.Two and a half weeks and three gamesagainst tenacious, relentless opposition, plustraining. Experiencing an environment whereRugby League is the biggest sport and attracts allthe media attention means that we havereturned better players, tougher and with moregames under our belt than our studentopponents before the season starts.That mayprove to be the difference – especially given thatwe will have around 15 out of this year’s 20 squad103

Cambridge UniversitySki & Snowboard ClubThe aim of the Cambridge University Ski & Snowboard Club is topromote skiing and snowboarding throughout the Universitywww.cussc.org.ukPresident: Jamie Gilbert,TrinityCaptain: Pete Calvert,TrinitySecretary: Ros Wallduck, JesusSenior Treasurer: Patrac Welche, NewnhamHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Laura Abram, NewnhamRachael Nordby, PembrokeCamilla Barnes, ChurchillStephanie Sgoda, MagdaleneGeorge Rose, EmmanuelEmma Coten, St Catharine’sPete Calvert,TrinityAndy Wheble,TrinityEvan Scouros,TrinityJames Pockson, MagdaleneThe aim of the Cambridge University Ski &Snowboard Club is to promote skiing andsnowboarding throughout the University. Ourprimary focus for the academic year isundoubtedly the Varsity Trip, which operatesevery Christmas and is fast becoming one of thesporting and social highlights of the Oxbridgecalendar. Our second alpine trip of the year is theBritish Universities Ski Trip (aka BUSC) and takesplace over the Easter Vacation. Here we join 2000students for two weeks on the largest studenttrip of its kind in the world! Both trips are open tobeginners and world professionals alike.We normally field 3 mens and 2 ladies teams forthe Varsity Match and enter several teams for theBUSC (British Universities Ski Council)Championships.Training takes place once a weekon the dry slope and here we also compete at theBUDS (British Universities Dryslope Chamionships)National Finals and in the King's Series.Snowboarding competitions take place on theVarsity Trip, and training/social trips are arrangedto the Milton Keynes Snow Dome throughoutterm time.These often combine with theFreestyle and Beginner sessions.An active social program supports our busycalendar with the Varsity Reunion Dinner and aprèsskisessions being some of the highlights.Varsity MatchVal Thorens, FranceDecember 2007Narrow win For Oxford’s Men and WomenIn what must have been the closest competitionin a long time, the Cambridge Blues race teamsnarrowly missed taking away the overall teamtitles despite excellent individual performancesand team success in several events.As Selwyn hosted its snow ball and othersenjoyed Christmas bops and formals, theUniversity racers set out for Val Thorens for aweek of gruelling training, in preparation for the86th Varsity Races. In the hope of qualifying forone of the two women’s or three men’s raceteams, hopefuls from Cambridge joined theirOxford rivals and committed to 18 hours oftraining.The final teams were decided after timetrials on Monday of Main Week, the Varsity racestaking place the following day and additionalraces throughout the rest of the week.In the individual Varsity competitions Cambridgetriumphed. Rachael Nordby, from Pembroke,taking the individual ladies’ title in both theslalom, with a combined time of 1:29.32 and inthe Giant Slalom, with a combined time of1:44.09, thus winning the overall individual ladies’prize.The CUSSC committee were very pleased towelcome Mr Patrick Keeley, a former president topresent Rachael with her prizes, in particular104 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

The Keeley Cup, generously donated byMr Keeley for the winner of the ladies’ GiantSlalom. In the men’s individual races Pete Calvert,from Trinity, took the overall men’s prizes for theSlalom and Giant Slalom combined, finishingsecond in the Slalom, with a combined time of1:18.93 and third in the Giant Slalom with acombined time of 1:38.38. Evan Scouros, alsofrom Trinity, had great individual success in theGiant Slalom, finishing in second place, with acombined time of 1:37.84.It was the Giant Slalom also, in which bothCambridge Blues teams performed strongest: themen leading with a time difference of 0.41seconds and the ladies with a difference of 1.49seconds following this event.The competitionwas very close and the advantage slight. Ascrowds gathered and the racers made their wayto the top of the piste, for the floodlit Slalom,neither University could be sure to take away theoverall title. Having won the slalom last Varsity,Cambridge were quietly confident, but a year oftraining and a summer camp paid off for Oxfordas they finished first overall this year in the slalomand went on to take the overall team prize,winning by fifteen seconds over a total of sixteenminutes of racing. Laura Abram, Cambridge RaceCaptain commented,‘ There was a greatcompetitive spirit throughout the day, I was veryproud of the team’s effort and to win the firstevent of the day was fantastic. However, mycongratulations to Oxford on their overall win.’Even closer, however, was the overall men’s result.So close in fact that Varsity officials found itdifficult to award the overall title to the actualwinning team. First Oxford, then minutes laterCambridge were awarded the title, winning by0.3 seconds. However, after a mere two hours ofcelebration the title was withdrawn and reawardedto Oxford, who actually won by 0.92seconds. Rachael Nordby, performing so well, hertime was taken by mistake for one of the men’s,causing this error. Nonetheless, all the men racedextremely well and to lose by such a narrowmargin demonstrates the competitiveness ofboth the Oxford and Cambridge teams and thehigh standard of competition.The Men’s Second and Third teams should also becongratulated on their efforts and the Ladies’Second team congratulated for beating the Oxfordseconds in both the Slalom and Giant Slalom.In addition to the Varsity races, a Super G washeld for the first time this year. Open to all thosewho competed in the Blues teams, Cambridgeonce again produced some fantastic results. Inthe men’s Super G, Pete Calvert came secondoverall, with a combined time of 2:11.17 and EvanScouros finished in third place, with a combinedtime of 2:13.18.The fastest single run was had byPete Calvert, with a time of 1:05.30. In the ladies’Super G, Laura Abram, of Newnham, was insecond place after the first speed run, with a timeof 1:23.03 but was disqualified after missing agate in the second run.Varsity 2007 was once again a fantastic trip withsome excellent racing and Cambridge, bothteams and individuals, should be extremelyproud of their performances. Camilla Barnes,president of CUSSC said,‘ This is one of the mostsuccessful year’s CUSSC have had in a long whileand the training the racers have put inthroughout the year has really paid off. CUSSC iscontinuing to go from strength to strength andnext year we hope for even more success but welldone to all the 2007 competitors. Also, I wouldlike to thank the Varsity committee and the ESFfor all the work that went in to organising theraces and Salomon for sponsoring thecompetitions.’ Could 2008 be the year forCambridge to take away the titles?Other NewsThroughout the year, CUSSC competes in theKings Ski Club race series, against otheruniversities; the British Universities Dry SkiingChampionships (the largest dry slope race in theworld), and the British Universities Indoor SkiingChampioships (held at the snowdomes).In the Kings races we qualified for the NationalFinals against the top universities in the UK, andPete Calvert and Jamie Gilbert finished in thetop 30 men, while Ros Wallduck finished in thetop 20 women.At the British Universities Dry SkiingChampionships, held at Hillend in Edinburgh,Pete Calvert came 7th in the UK.At the British Universities Indoor SkiingChampionships Pete Calvert and Jamie Gilbertboth qualified through the Southern Universitiesqualifier held at Milton Keynes, for the Finals atCastleford. Pete finished in 8th.SponsorElan106 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversitySmall Bore ClubCambridge University Small Bore Club is amongst the oldestclubs at the Universityhttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/cura/cusbc/index.phpCaptain: Rosanne Furniss,Trinity HallSecretary: John Lindsay, DowningSenior Treasurer: Dr Diana Henderson, Queens’Half Blues Awarded 2007-08Robert Bogie, Christ’sPeter Brett, GirtonEdward Dickson,Trinity HallJames Diviney, Gonville & CaiusHolly Foster, ChurchillRosanne Furniss,Trinity HallGareth Morris, RobinsonAndy Nowacki, RobinsonClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Gus Logan,TrinityCambridge University Small Bore Club, and itssister club,The Cambridge University RifleAssociation, are amongst the oldest clubs at theUniversity. CUSBC is an official sports club of theUniversity of Cambridge and we are affiliated tothe National Small-Bore Rifle Association of GreatBritain.Varsity Match1st mixed team 16th February 2007 at the LordNuffield Centre, Oxford2nd team (mixed), Ladies and 3 Position team23rd February 2007 at Queen Elizabeth WayRange, Cambridge1st mixed,The Heslop – Won 1547-1505 (ex 1600)Ladies,The Bentata – Won 748-582 (ex 800)2nd mixed,The Kensington –Won 1512-1439 (ex 1600)3P mixed,The Lerman – Lost 866-886 (ex 1200)This year the Varsity matches were held in Oxfordand Cambridge on two consecutive weekends.The Cambridge teams had a very successful yearleading up to the match, and hopes were high.The first team shot extremely well, obtaining thehighest match score of the year, and also thehighest score found on record for a Varsity matchin recent years (1547 ex 1600).The depth of the Cambridge squad showedthrough the following week when the Mixed Bteam shot well to beat not only Oxford´s B team,but also their A team score from the previousmatch.The ladies also shot well, winning thematch by over 100 points,The onlydisappointment was in the 3 Position match,where Oxford came out victorious, a situationthat will be worked on for next year!Special mention must go to Gaz Morris, for topscoring in the Heslop with 198 ex 200 to SuhridJoshi for his 193 ex 200 in the Kensington, and toPeter Brett for 247 ex 300 in the Lerman.Other NewsIn BUSA, Cambridge won the first ever BUSAShort Range Championships. After qualifyingthrough the postal leagues, the A team beatEdinburgh in the quarter finals, Cardiff in the semifinals, and finally Southampton in the final to becrowned victorious.The A team also came 2nd in the BUSA Knockoutcompetition, and retained our place in thepremier division of the postal league. Unluckilyfor our B team they were placed against our Ateam, and so were knocked out early on.Four members were placed in the top twenty ofthe BUSA individual competition.This involvesshooting cards all through the year, and so toscore well you need to be shooting at aconsistently high level.The positions were asfollows: R Furniss 7th, G Morris 16th, J Diviney19th, E Dickson 20th.107

Cambridge UniversitySquash Rackets ClubThe 77th Varsity Match produces opposite resultsfor the Men and WomenPresident: Jamie Douglas, St John’sYvonne Ang, ClareCaptain: Men’s Captain: Jamie Douglas, St John’sWomen’s Captain:Yvonne Ang, ClareSecretary: Secretary: Michael Mackay, St John’sTreasurer: Sally Pei,Trinity HallSenior Treasurer: Geoff Moggridge, King’sBlues Awarded 2007-08Ann Babtie, Gonville & CaiusMhairi Dougal, HomertonKate Mason, PeterhouseAlexandra Bryant, Christ’sYvonne Ang, ClareHarry Leitch, FitzwilliamJamie Douglas, St John’sNick Sutcliffe, St John’sChristopher Lion,DowningMichael Mackay, St John’sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Laura Alfers, MagdaleneRenwick Russell, Queens’CUSRC is one of the oldest sporting clubs inCambridge- this is the 77th year that the VarsityMatch has been played.The men play numerousone-off matches throughout the year, includingties against the Army, Old Boys and Jesters,while the women play in the CambridgeshireCounty Leagues.Varsity Match16th February 2008Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, LondonMen won 5-0Women lost 1-4After months of training (and much-dreadedfitness sessions), the 12 Light Blues travelled tothe RAC in London, former home of the BritishOpen and setting of many an epic squash match,for the big showdown.The women’s Match was kicked off by LauraAlfers at reserve and captain Yvonne Ang at 5.The warm courts at the RAC provide a uniquechallenge unlike anywhere in Cambridge, andboth players took some time to adjust to thedifferent bounce. Laura, a former South Africanprovincial junior, used her abundant court smartsto take each game close but eventually lost 3-0.Yvonne was slow to get going in the first two setsbefore finding her rhythm in the third, frustratingher opponent with cracking backhands andpersistent running, before losing that set 10-9.Next up were Alex Bryant at 4 and Kate Masonat 3. Alex, our lone fresher, rushed to an early 8-2lead, confounding her opponent with her rocketserves and accurate volley-drops. However, themore experienced Oxford player made a strongcomeback, taking that set and the match 3-0.Kate also came up against experience in Oxford’scaptain, and after displaying her finesse in avaliant fight, went down 3-0.By this time, the crowds had grown, and despiteMatch victory being beyond our grasp, oursupporters continued to bay for Dark Blue blood.At 2, Mhairi Dougal took the first set with herpowerful low drives. Her opponent, a seniorcounty player, fought back, and eventually tookthe match 3-1, but not before Mhairi had showneveryone present the combination of tenacityand composure that makes her so hard to beat.After that encouraging match, hopes ran highthat our number 1, Ann Babtie, would preventthis from being an Oxford sweep, and she did notdisappoint. Despite being sidelined from trainingup to a week before the Match by a bad ankle, the5-time Blue showed no signs of it against herWelsh International junior opponent, in a repeatof the match-up she lost last year.The match wasfiercely contested, with both players repeatedly108 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

drawing exclamations from the crowd, but Ann’sconsistency and pinpoint accuracy won the day,3-1. She was awarded the Neil Raine Lady of theMatch Trophy.Last year’s Varsity defeat was Cambridge’s firstVarsity loss in ten years and was seen as a greatupset. Therefore, although the Cambridge teamwere expected to be triumphant this year, theteam trained very maturely and were morefocused going into the match. This focus paiddividends as Cambridge won 5-0, with allmembers of the team producing excellentperformances.Cambridge recorded comfortable wins at 2(Jamie Douglas), 3 (Nick Sutcliff ) and 4 (ChrisLion) with the numbers 1 (Harry Leitch) and 5(Michael Mackay) winning in closer contests.Michael Mackay was awarded man of the matchfor tremendous determination in winning a verylong and hard-fought match.Mhairi Dougal won the plate in the CountyIndividual Championships.Harry Leitch represented Scotland men’s team,whilst both Harry Leitch and Jamie Douglasrepresented Royston aiding them to victory inthe Hertfordshire League.The Second and third teams visited Oxford fortheir Varsity Match on 3rd March, the women ledby Andrea Kuesters, Sally Pei and Hazel Gilkes,and the men by Michael Mackay. After a day ofhard fought matches, the Women’s Seconds lostnarrowly 3-2, while the Thirds emerged with ahard earned 3-2 victory. On the men’s side, theSeconds won 5-0 while the Thirds lost 5-0.SponsorsEMBSchroedersWe would like to extend our deepestappreciation to our coach, Richard Loke, for hisinvaluable support and advice throughout theyear.We would also like to thank our teamsponsors, EMB, for their generous backing, andSchroeder’s, for their kind contributions to theVarsity Match.Other NewsThe Women’s team finished as runners-up in theCambridgeshire League, our best result in manyyears.They also reached the final of the CountyCup, losing narrowly to Comberton 3-2.109

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Cambridge UniversitySwimming and Waterpolo Club10 Years after the incorporation of Waterpolo into theSwimming Club, the Varsity competition entered it’s 107th yearwww.cuswpc.orgPresident: Henry Gomersall,TrinityCaptain: Men's swimming:Tom Edwards, CorpusChristiLadies' swimming: Kat Hedley, New HallMen's Waterpolo: Steve Cook,TrinityLadies' Waterpolo: Rachel Mell, NewnhamSecretary: Evan Spence,Trinity HallSenior Treasurer: Dr D J Burgoyne, Departmentof EngineeringCambridge University Swimming & WaterpoloClub (CUSWPC) consists of two teams whichrepresent Cambridge University in swimmingand water polo.The water polo team is furthersplit into men's and ladies’ teams who trainseparately.The swimmers are split into the firstand second teams, who train separately but areall entitled to swim in competitions and trial forthe Varsity Match.Blues Awarded (Swimming)Katherine Hedley, New HallSonia White, Hughes HallTeresa Thurston, RobinsonHeather Moore, FitzwilliamHalf Blues AwardedNatalie Moores, DowningEmma Gorton, SelwynNatasha Brierley, New HallIsabelle Kaufeler, St. John’sJessica Trevellick,TrinityKate Weber, Corpus ChristiHalf Blues Awarded (Waterpolo)Sebastian Reddemann, Hughes HallAlbert Riera, GirtonStephen Smith, Hughes HallAndrea Cantone, ChurchillStephen Cooke,TrinityZern Chu Tay, ChurchillHenry Gomersall,TrinityPeter Kreuzaler,Trinity HallJulius Lim, Christ’sNick McLoughlin, Christ’sDavid Stell, ChurchillRachael Mell, NewnhamLine Zu-Ermgassen, St Catharine’sSarah Hopkins, EmmanuelJenny MacLeod, DowningJanet Scott,Trinity HallJosie Faulkner, ClareKatie Mathis, DarwinRebecca Voorhees, ClareKatie Weber, Corpus ChristiVarsity Match23rd February 2008Rosenblatt Pool, OxfordMen’s Swimming: Oxford 52, Cambridge 38Ladies’ Swimming: Oxford 40, Cambridge 40Men’s Waterpolo: Oxford 10, Cambridge 10Ladies’Waterpolo: Oxford 8, Cambridge 4Ladies’ and Men’s SwimmingThis year, the Light Blues travelled to Oxford todefend the Varsity Swimming trophies againstthe strongest Oxford team seen in recent years.Each University is represented by two swimmersover only 6 individual events for the girls, 7 for theboys, and just one team in the two relays. Everyswim is critical so, with Oxford fielding twointernational swimmers, it was always going to bea tough match.Prominent swims amongst the men came fromteam stalwart Dan O’Dea in the 100m Butterflyand Man of the Match, Matt Webb, in the Butterflyand Freestyle, with both swimming some of thefastest times ever seen in their events. CaptainTom Edwards held the team together out of thepool and supported it in the pool with swims inthe Freestyle events.111

For the ladies, Freestyle specialist, Sonia White,smashed 5 seconds off her PB in the 200mFreestyle and swam to a ranking in the All Time Top5 Cambridge times in both her races. HeatherMoore’s superb performance in the 100mBackstroke was also memorable, fighting to winfirst place in an incredibly close race, finishing in thesecond fastest Cambridge time in this event ever.The Varsity programme left the spectatorsexpecting much from ‘the old guard’TeresaThurston and the ‘swimmers expected to excite,’Brett Mclean and Ladies’ Captain, KatherineHedley. They were not disappointed, with allthree producing wins. Mclean provided a lessonin dedication, showing how exceptional trainingpays off in Varsity. Woman of the Match,Thurston,won the 100m Butterfly by a large margin, Hedleydoing the same for the Breaststroke – bothsupported by second places from IsabelleKaufeler and Kate Weber.Both the Ladies’ and Men’s matches remainedundecided until the relays, when Oxford’s depthof team shone through. Still, the Ladies’ team ofNatalie Moores, Hedley,Thurston and Whitegained a convincing victory in the 4x50m Medley,securing a draw overall and retaining the trophythanks to last year’s win.There were great expectations after thecleansweep victory last year but despite onlyreturning with one trophy, the Light Blues cannotbe disappointed: this was one of the fastestVarsity Matches ever and there were many greatswims to be proud of. Against a team who has adedicated coach and over twice the training time,thanks to owning their own pool, the Cambridgeteam acquitted themselves with dignity.112 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008Men’s WaterpoloAfter a slow start that saw them go 2-0 down,Cambridge picked up their game and began tocounter-attack effectively to pull back level. Moregood counters in the second quarter allowedCambridge to take the lead and stretch to a 7-3half-time lead. Cambridge began to relax andplay more effectively, but failed to put away theirchances during the third quarter when theycould have closed out the match. Leading 10-7going into the last period, Cambridge did notcreate any chances to score and allowed Oxfordto pull their way back into the game. Oxfordequalised as the buzzer sounded to end thegame, while Cambridge retained the trophy.Ladies’WaterpoloWith a largely new pack, the Light Blue womenknew they would have to step up to take thematch. Oxford scored a goal almost off the swimoff;after a second Oxford goal, the Light Bluescountered and new squad member RebeccaVoorhees scored a decisive goal from centreforward. The Dark Blues maintained a one pointlead in the second quarter, with captain RachaelMell and Line zu Ermgassen keeping Oxford’scounters in check.As Oxford pulled further ahead in the final twoquarters, it became apparent that the Cambridgeman-ups (6-on-5 plays when a player is sent off )and arc formation were not being maximised.At least 6 Cambridge shots on goal went wide orshort, with some valiant plays by centre forwardJenny Macleod. This was in part due toCambridge players being thrown off by theunfamiliar dimensions of the Oxford pool,regulation size, but wider than the pool thewomen practice in.Women’s captain Rachael Mell said "The teamplayed really well, it was a good match, luck justwasn't on our side. I don't think the score reallyreflected our performance, it's just a shame wedidn't convert all our chances."Other NewsLadies’ and Men’s SwimmingRelays Gala, October 2007:Cambridge University A 66Otter Masters Swimming Club 65Cambridge University B 37Nottingham University 31Saturday 20th October saw the Cambridgeswimming teams out in force at Parkside Pools forthe Annual Cambridge Relays Gala – the debutevent for this year’s intake.In recent years, the gala has been a closely foughtbattle between Cambridge and London Otterand this year, it proved to be no different. Thefirst half showcased the team’s established talent,with a plethora of first places and consistentlyhigh quality performances from Brett McLean inthe Individual Medley and Butterfly and DanO’Dea in the Backstroke for the Men as well asfrom Katherine Hedley and Sonia White in theBreaststroke and Freestyle for the Ladies. Thewinning streak gave Cambridge A an early leadover their rivals.The team’s depth was tested in the second halfover a series of relays and this is where the teamfreshers really came into their own. New additionIzzie Kaufeler showed unparalleled improvement,picking up three season’s bests. This, however,was not enough to prevent Otter steadily closingdown on Cambridge’s lead.

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The gala came down to the final event.Everything could have changed but Cambridge Ajust managed to hold onto their lead, beatingLondon Otter 66 points to 65. Cambridge B, with37 points easily outperformed the otherattendees, Nottingham University who left withonly 31 points.Beating London Otter, who fielded severalCambridge alumni, is an important result for theswimmers. Whilst the Men retained many of lastyear’s Blues, the Ladies’ team is younger and lessexperienced. This was a crucial victory, showingthat, under pressure they can compare toprevious years and the dream of a ninthconsecutive Varsity win is still alive.BUSA Shortcourse, 17/18 November 2007:Highlights:Freestyle Relay Team: 19th – 9th in the B finalKatherine Hedley: 2 SBs, 13th in the 50mBreaststroke in a Blues Time and 10th in the 100mBreaststroke finalSonia White: 17th place in the 200m Free, BluesTime in the 50m Free, 3 Season’s BestsHeather Moore: Four Season’s Bests/PBs, 15th inthe 100m Back, 16th in the 50m BackNatalie Moores: 3 SB/PBs, 18th in the 100m BackNatasha: 2 SB/PBsChloe: 2 SBs, including a 9 second PB in the 200mFreestyleIsabelle Kaufeler: 1 SB and a time in a new event:200m IMEmma Gorton: 1 SBGemma Sharp: 1 SBEmma Inkester: 1 SBOverall, we got 4 points (3 won by the girls!) andcame 39th out of 62 universities.City of Cambridge Open Meet, 18/19/20 January2008:Results (in 16+ age group):Sonia White: 4th in 200m Freestyle, 2nd in 50mFree, 2nd in 50m Free Skins Final, 1st in 100m FreeTeresa Thurston: 1st in 100m Fly, 5th in 50m Free,6th in Skins Final, 3rd in 100m FreeIsabelle Kaufeler: 4th in 100m Fly, 6th in 200m IM,5th in 100m IMNatasha Brierley: 6th in 100m Fly, 14th in 50mFree, 14th in 100m FreeKatherine Hedley: 2nd in 100m Breaststroke,6th in 50m Free, 7th in Skins FinalKate Weber: 5th in 100m BreaststrokeJessica Trevellick: 5th in 200m IM, 13th in50m FreeNatalie Moores: 5th in 100m Backstroke, 10th in50m Free, 10th in 100m FreeChloe Grover: 3rd in 200m Freestyle, 19th in50m FreeHeather Moore: 6th in 100m Backstroke, 8th in50m Free, 4th in 100m FreeEmma Gorton: 18th in 100m FreeEmma Inkester: 20th in 100m FreeBUSA Team, 14/15 March 2008:The team entered on both days was weakened bythe loss of international students who had to flyhome as the competition was after the end ofterm. With it being on consecutive days, it wasalso not possible for PhD students to spend twodays away from their labs, so the results in thenational final on the 15th were affected by this.However, the performance was still good, withthe team coming 2nd in the Southern Divisionand 8th Nationally (results overall for Ladies andMen). Highlights are as follows:Katherine Hedley – 2 SBs in the 50 and 100 Breast,1st in the South in 50m Breast, 2nd in the 100mBreast and 2nd in the national final in100m BreastTeresa Thurston – 1 SB, getting the Blues Time inthe 50 Fly for the first time this year, 2nd in theSouth in 50m and 100m FlySonia White – 1 SB and a sub-28 50 Free, 2nd inthe South in 50m and 100m FreeHeather Moore – 2 SB and a string of PBs in the50 BackIsabelle Kaufeler – 1 SB and PB in the 50 FlyEmma Gorton – 1 SB and PB in the 50 FreeEmma Inkester – 1 SB in the 50 FreeGemma Sharp – 1 SB in the 50 FreeJessica Trevellick – 2 SBs and PBs in the 100 Freeand 200 FreeMen’s WaterpoloThe Blues reached the final of BUSA division 2,losing to Birmingham. They were hampered by alack of training in the build-up to the match dueto a fire at the Leys Pool. However, promotion tothe first division was secured where the Blues willface a better standard of Water Polo during thenext season.Ladies’WaterpoloUnfortunately we lost all our BUSA games.Rachael Mell’s home team Harrogate Shortwalkersretained their place in National League DivisionOne, finishing 6th. Mell scored 2 goals this season.114 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Beijing ExperienceTom JamesThere can be no doubt that these games wereby far the largest sporting spectacle that thisworld has experienced.The most exhilaratingopening ceremony ever seen, Phelps and Usain,and of course the sheer scale and cost of thestadiums and events. For me the daily heartstopping moments of sporting genius such as thefinal of the Mens 15m diving competition, toname but one, really characterized what theOlympics is about.After China having already won 7 out of the 8Mens Diving events, it came down to the lastevent and the last dive for each competitor. Chinaalready had it in the bag to win a clean sweep inall 8 events with two divers clearly ahead of thefield. But a young Australian, Matthew Mitcham,stunned everyone including the two Chinesewith an unearthly perfect dive in every sense ofthe word to put himself so far in front that itbecame impossible for either of them tochallenge. China didn’t get their full house.TheOlympics for me is about seeing man at hisphysical and mental best and producingperformances that make you feel in awe of whatthe human body can achieve.However, after all the hype and glory of thegames in what has truly been a breath takingexperience the one disappointing factor thatBeijing lacked was character. The atmosphere inthe streets was often stifled and had that air ofcity centres full of busy people, which of coursethe Chinese were.They were so involved inmaking sure nothing went wrong that I thinkthey really forgot to enjoy it. Every corner of astreet had some armed guard solemnly patrollingfor pro Tibet supports and the constant policingby volunteers wherever you went became a dailychore and frustration.From my perspective I’ve had the best experienceof my life. I’ve been in a race that tested me fullyand has left me with a profound sense ofaccomplishment at the end. If anything thoughI found I had something in common with theChinese; I also wanted nothing to go wrong andfound it pretty hard to enjoy what I was doing.If I go all the way through to London that’s onething I know I’ll be able to do better.Tom James (second left)115

Cambridge UniversityTable Tennis ClubConvincing wins for men and women as the clubcontinues Varsity dominationwww.srcf.ucam.org/cuttcPresident: Simon Maddrell, Gonville & CaiusCaptain: Hamish Yeung, St Catharine’sTrang To, NewnhamSecretary: Doug Speed, St Catharine’sSenior Treasurer: Simon Maddrell,Gonville & CaiusBlues Awarded 2007-08Doug Speed, St CatharinesHamish Yeung, St Catharine’sDevesh Shete, St Catharine’sRaphael Assier, Sidney SussexRichard Siau, DowningBen Roberts, EmmanuelKai Ting Wong, HomertonMatthew Jarvis, Corpus ChristiHang Li, NewnhamXiaoxiao Du, DarwinTrang To, NewnhamHelen Pooley,TrinityCUTTC provides players of all standards thechance to play table tennis in Cambridge. Forbeginners we have two general sessions atFenner’s at which free coaching is available. InMichaelmas Term we run a College League withfour divisions and in Lent Term, a KnockoutCompetition. For those looking to represent theUniversity, we have Men’s and Women’s teams inBUSA and the Local League and offer the chanceto earn a Half Blue in the annual Varsity Match.Varsity MatchSunday 24th FebruaryMen’s First: 8-2, Women’s First: 8-2,Men’s Second: 5-5The day kicked off with the Men's Seconds.Cambridge opened up a 4-2 lead after the firstfour singles and two doubles. However Oxfordlaunched a comeback with wins from theirnumbers one and two against their Cambridgecounterparts, leaving the match balanced at fourgames each.With the final two singles playedsimultaneously it was down to Kai Ting Wong andMatthew Jarvis to decide the result. Both matcheswent to a deciding leg, and a few moments afterOxford clinched a 5-4 lead, a service fault atadvantage by the Oxford number 4 giftedCambridge the draw.Both first teams started poorly by going 1-0down, but thereafter it was one way traffic forCambridge who had greater depth of quality inboth the men's and women's events.Three winsapiece from Hang Li, Xiaoxiao Du, Devesh Sheteand Doug Speed secured 8-2 victories asCambridge claimed 4.5 points out of a possiblefive in the Varsity Table Tennis Event. Regrettablyit marks the first time Cambridge have secured alead (31-30) in the Men's Event for 32 years.Other NewsThis has been a very successful year for CUTTC.The Men’s team won the Premier League of BUSAbefore being knocked out in the quarter finals.Varsity produced the fourth successive victorywith both the Men’s and Women’s First teamswinning, while the Men’s Seconds snatched a draw.Cambridge players fared very well in the BUSAIndividual Championships. The weekend wascapped when Devesh Shete and Doug Speedfaced each other in the final of the Trophy,ensuring a Cambridge victory.The College Leagues were the largest so far, with32 college teams entered in four divisions while24 teams took part in the knockout competition.The League title was claimed by Trinity First Team,who remained unbeaten in the first division,while St Catharine’s won the Knockout. In total,over 150 players took part in the collegecompetitions.116 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityTrampoline ClubCUTC is a large, high profile club, catering for completebeginners and elite competitors alikehttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/cutc/President: Ellen Turnbull, Corpus ChristiCaptain: Carol Evans, St John’sSecretary: Sarah Turner, St John’sSenior Treasurer: Professor J Woodhouse,Department of EngineeringBlues Awarded 2007-08Carol Evans, St John’sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Charlotte Pocock, HomertonClub Colours Awarded 2007-08Sarah Turner, St John’sLizzie Schofield, HomertonRobert McNeil, Sidney SussexBryony Gee, JesusChloe Purcell, SelwynJulie Macdonald, JesusJanet Scott,Trinity HallSuzanne Tobin, GirtonKatharina Kohler, Lucy CavendishEmma Hunter, NewnhamCUTC is a large, high-profile club.We cater for alllevels, from complete beginners to elitecompetitors, whether you want to compete orjust turn up for some exercise and fun.We taketeams to competitions throughout the year,including BUSA and Varsity, as well as StudentOpen tournaments, and host competitions of ourown including the annual Cambridge TrampolineOpen.We hold sessions three times a week, with atotal of 8 hours bouncing time a week. CUTC isalso a very social club and we have regular pubtrips as well as formal swaps, punting trips,garden party and meals out.Varsity Match23/02/08, OxfordOverall Cambridge victoryCambridge enjoyed a clear victory at the Varsitygames in Oxford with a total score of 431 toOxford’s 381. Cambridge won each of the threeteam categories, as well as individual victories ineach category.The A team were first to compete and gavefantastic performances, especially some beautifulhigh tariff voluntary (vol) routines which helpedgive a huge margin between the vol scores:Cambridge 80.4, Oxford 48.6. Unfortunately oneof Oxford’s strong performers in this categorywas injured during the warm up period and wasunable to compete her vol routine. Cambridgealso had an exciting moment when Rob McNeilnearly left the trampoline during his set andunfortunately the routine was terminated partway through. Despite this he delivered a lovelyvol and along with scores from Carol Evans (whohad the highest individual score), Sarah Turnerand Lottie Pocock, Cambridge achieved an overallvictory of 147.7 to 113.6 in this category.Secondly, the B team Cambridge competitorsLizzie Scholfield, Bryony Gee, Chloe Purcell andSuzanne Tobin each put in strong set routinesand high tariff voluntary routines resulting in awin of Cambridge 144.1 to Oxford 132.4. Bryonyhad the individual highest score of allthe competitors in the B teams with twobeautiful routines.Lastly, the C team also had an overall win of 139.2to Oxford’s 135.1.The vol routines had some veryimpressive tariffs, and the standard was very high,all competitors would have easily been capableof competing at B team standard. Competitorswere Emma Hunter, Julie MacDonald, Janet Scottand Katharina Kohler. Emma had the overallhighest score of the C teams.This year the Varsity Cup was replaced with ashiny new cup, as space for engraving had runout on the old one.117

Other NewsCUTC’s 23rd year has been a very prosperous one.We have had a good level of membershipreflected in sessions almost always being busyand lots of keen new members attendingsessions regularly, as well as some extremelyimpressive competition results.Cambridge was extremely well represented atBUSA on the 9th of March this year with 13 CUTCmembers competing, one of these at elite level,three at advanced, seven at intermediate and twoin the novice category.Carol Evans came sixth in the Elite nationalcategory, with a very impressive score sufficientto earn her a Cambridge Full Blue.In Easter Term, CUTC hosted the annualCambridge Trampoline Open. Although entrieswere lower than expected, due to the datecoinciding with another university competition,the competition was certainly a great success andagain Cambridge were the overall winners.This has been the first whole year of use for ournewest trampoline after it’s purchase just beforelast summer.This year has also seen the purchaseof a much-needed set of club leotards.This year both Barry Bryce and Sarah Turnercompleted British Gymnastics coaching courses.Barry is now a level three club coach and Sarah alevel two coach.Charlotte Pocock came 16th out of 42 in theadvanced category with a strong performanceearning her a Half Blue.Bryony Gee won not only the regional (74entries), but also the national intermediatecategory (top ten competitors from each region),an extremely impressive achievement.We have also hosted some of our owncompetitions. Cuppers was held in MichaelmasTerm and was well attended, with competitiorsfrom complete beginners to elite level, andHomerton College providing the winning team.This year Cambridge hosted the York-Cambridgefriendly match in Lent Term where Cambridgeenjoyed an overall victory.118 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Cambridge UniversityVolleyball ClubCUVC continues its run of successful seasonshttp://www.srcf.ucam.org/cuvc/index.phpPresident: Dr Jon Clarke, WolfsonCaptain: Stephen Sarkozy, St John’sYvonne Beyer, New HallSecretary: Sven Meeder, Sidney SussexBethan Shaffery, HomertonSenior Treasurer: Dr J McElwaine, St Catharine’sBlues Awarded 2007-08Stephen Sarkozy, St John’sSven Meeder,TrinityMartin Niederste-Ostholt, Gonville & CaiusTobias Nyumba, DowningJonas Neher, DarwinPavel Zubko, King’sTjonnie Li, PeterhouseMarek Chalupnik, ChurchillMike Finley, HomertonJosh Beyer, King’sHalf Blues Awarded 2007-08Yvonne Beyer, New HallBethan Shaffery, HomertonAnna Protasio, Christ’sIngeborg Kuijlaars, DowningMaria Haal, GirtonHenna Niutanen, GirtonAlexandra Rinnert, St John’sClaire Nichols, GirtonCambridge University Volleyball Club aims toprovide all levels of volleyball for members of theuniversity, with emphasis both on sporting andsocial success .This is manifested through bothindoor and outdoor collegiate competitions, abeginners program, regional men’s and women’steams, and the elite Blues. In addition tocompeting in tense Varsity matches, both themen’s and women’s Blues teams are nationallyrespected, frequently in National semi-finals andon several occasions representing Great Britain inthe European University Championships.Varsity Match09/02/2008 – Iffley Road, OxfordMen – (W) 3-0 Women – (L) 2-3Men:The Cambridge men, surprisingly up before thewomen this year, were keen to defend theirVarsity title. Coach Jacquet started with Sarkozy(captain) and Meeder on the left, Niederste-Ostholt swinging opposite, Neher and Zubkopatrolling the net, and Finley at libero. Li wouldquarterback from the setter spot. ImmediatelyOxford were outclassed. Ex-Cambridge star Zuevwas absent for the Dark Side, who while puttingup a valiant effort, fell behind early. Li wasdistributing well, the Cambridge pass was solid,and all options were open. A double digit leadwas opened, and Nyumba was given a chance toimpress in the opposite spot. He did not let itwither, immediately scoring as Cambridge closedout to 14.The second set was similar, although Beyercontributed some attacks through the middle.The same story held, Cambridge again taking theset 25-14. In the final set, Chalupnik (tornmeniscus) limped onto the court for a point, andCambridge again jumped out to a lead. Oxfordrallied behind some great support from theirhome crowd, forcing Jacquet to use both histimeouts.With no available substitutes, theCambridge coach could simply watch as the leadwas whittled to nothing, with Cambridge beingdown a set point at 24-25. However the Light Bluediscipline held, and a few side outs were followedby a thundering Meeder kill to seal the victory.119

Women:Having seen the Cambridge men comfortablydispatch Oxford, it was up to the Women tofollow suit. Cambridge started as underdogs,having been beaten twice by Oxford in the BUSAleague season.The starting team was YvonneBeyer (capt), Bethan Shaffery, Alex Rinnert,Ingeborg Kuijlaars, Maria Haal, Henna Niutanen,and Phoebe Lau. Substitutes were Anna Protasio,Claire Nichols, Jane Han and Katie Scotter.Theteam was coached by Jon Clarke.In the opening set the Cambridge womendemonstrated why they were coming into thismatch as second favourites, with poor servereceivepassing and defense cover in the backcourt.Occasional moments of good play resultedin attacks that Oxford were comfortably pickingup, and the serving errors from the Cambridgeteam sealed the set against their favour.Replacement of the two outside hitters and mainpassers (Yvonne and Ingeborg) with Anna andJane in the second set, improved the ball deliveryto Bethan, who was able to set up some goodattack options through Maria in the middle andAlex on the reverse. Cambridge started to clawtheir way back into the game, and after someimpressive back-court defence from Jane andstrong left-side attack from Anna, Oxfordcrumbled at the finale of the set to allowCambridge to even the scores.After a disaster serve substitution in the secondset, Katie replaced Henna for serve again in thethird set, this time getting a run of four points toput Cambridge ahead.With Jane replacing Alexon reverse, allowing the team to still utilise hermuch needed defence and receive abilities,captain Yvonne took the outside position again.Bethan was still battling hard to distribute to herpoint-winning attackers, notably Anna and Maria.The Light Blues took a comfortable third set andwere poised for the match as they started thefourth unchanged. However, the Oxford teamsensed their demise and took a timely step up ingame quality, pushing two serve runs at the startof the set that were costly for the Cambridgeteam. A late push with excellent serving fromMaria and Bethan, and calmly calculated secondball attacks from the Cambridge setter put theLight Blues back in contention at the end of theset but not soon enough to close out the match.With the lottery of a 15 point fifth set, theCambridge team knew the importance of stayingwithin two points of the opponents. Collapsing ina spectacular fashion, the Cambridge teamslumped to a 4-13 deficit, normally reliable liberoPhoebe having problems in serve-receive andnone of the first three Cambridge servers able toavoid errors. Supersub Claire was used to replaceJane and Cambridge won the ball on an Oxforderror. Claire then proceeded to serve the next 10points, two of which were aces, to the mountingexcitement of the Cambridge supporters anddisbelief of the home fans. A consistent serve wasrequired and Cambridge won point after point,witha lot of nervous Oxford errors.At match point the runfinished and an uncharacteristic communicationerror on the Cambridge side handed Oxford thegame.It was an entertaining and well-fought match,which saw Oxford extend their winning run inVarsity competition to 4 matches.MVP was Anna Protasio.Other NewsCambridge University Volleyball continues its runof successful seasons.The beginners team placedrespectably in the local league, as did theWomen’s second team in the CambridgeshireWomen’s League.The men’s second teamsuccessfully defended the regional county cup.The club ran several successful and enjoyablecollegiate competitions, with Trinity winning theindoor competition and Churchill winning theoutdoor league.The Women’s Blues team had a tough seasonafter several key players departed, although theydid contribute to the Cambridgeshire Women’sLeague MVP en route to a second place finish.Former Cambridge captain Helen MacIntyrehelped lead London to a BUSA gold medal andNational Cup Championship.The Men’s Blues again had an extremelysuccessful season, winning the MidlandsConference in BUSA and finishing third in theNational Student Cup. At the BUSA Finals the mentook Silver Medals, and by virtue of this qualifiedto play in the European Student Championshipsin Italy in July.SponsorsKitlockerAdam’s Kids/Jane Shilton Purses/Car Audio andSecurity/Mountain WarehouseRucksacks/MiniMode children’s clothes/RacingGreen Linen Suits120 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Beijing ExperienceSarah WincklessMy first rowing experiences were in eights onthe Cam, many students can empathise withthe hours spent queuing to get under thebridge, trying to row ‘all eight’. Having spentmuch of my rowing career sculling in doublesand quads, there was a strange symmetryracing my third Olympics back in the big boat.We approached the Olympics with an air ofmassive anticipation; we had some world classtimes under our belt, had medalled in the thirdWorld Cup Regatta and knew that we had achance of being on the podium. I loved theweeks coming up to the Games, all my crewwere first time Olympians and their excitementat the team announcement and kit issue mademe see it with fresh eyes. I felt at home at theOlympic rowing course and was itching to getracing.We were made to wait however, ourrace was delayed for 24 hours when thunderand lightening stopped racing when we wereliterally on the start line. I wasn’t worried howthe crew would respond, I knew this was a boatof racers and was confident that we couldhandle anything that was thrown at us. Oursecond place in the heat behind the WorldChampions, the Americans, was a reallypromising start and definitely confirmed ourmedal potential.The boat felt good, but therewere improvements to be made, so we keptour heads level and concentrated outing byouting, stroke by stroke.However, when we raced the repechage theboat felt different from the one that had racedin the heats.Technically it felt fine, but weweren’t getting the same boat speed for oureffort and it was with absolute silence that wecrossed the finish line having qualified for thefinal in third place. I didn’t know what to think,nothing had gone wrong, but we just hadn’t beenquick.Things began to make sense that eveningwhen illness hit our crew. It was an absolutenightmare as it spread amongst us, touching usall to a greater or lesser degree. By the final wehad two subs on board and a few others underpar. It is not what you dream of for your Olympics.However, we raced with spirit and determinationand with the odds stacked against us, beat theAustralians, coming fifth but falling outside themedal zone.To train for four years and be robbed of yourchance by a simple illness leaves me with a bucketfull of emotions. I am so proud of the work we didas that eight, I enjoyed every minute of racing andtraining with them; also we held our heads andkept the illness within our group, allowing the restof the British Squad their medal chances. HoweverI’m frustrated, disappointed and angry – here is anathlete with unfinished business!121

Talented AthleteScholarship SchemeThe Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme is a unique partnershipbetween National Governing Bodies of Sport and Higher EducationTASS Athlete College Sport PE Department MentorAkbar Ansari Trinity Hall Cricket Helen BoyleJoseph Clark St Edmund’s Rugby Union Simon CornishMary Cohen Fitzwilliam Fencing Tristan ColesAnthony Crutchett Downing Fencing Helen BoyleHenry Day St Catharine’s Shooting Tristan ColesEdward Dickson Trinity Hall Shooting Simon CornishMarco Espin Gonville and Caius Rowing Simon CornishHolly Foster Churchill Shooting Helen BoyleJenny Hall Selwyn Hockey Helen BoyleEleanor Hind Sidney Sussex Wheelchair Tennis Helen BoyleTom Malaney St Edmund’s Rugby Union Tristan ColesPeter Marsland Clare Hall Rowing Tristan ColesTom Ransley Hughes Hall Rowing Helen BoyleVictoria Stevens Jesus Orienteering Tristan ColesLouisa Tarn Jesus Golf Helen BoyleJoseph Wheeler St Edmund’s Rugby Union Simon CornishThe Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme, or TASSas it is better known, is a unique partnershipbetween National Governing Bodies of Sport andHigher Education, which provides financial andprofessional support to elite young athletes whoare committed to continuing their education.All athletes are nominated by their relevantNational Governing Body to receive a scholarshipworth £3000, funded through UK Sport. Everyscholarship includes key services, such asStrength and Conditioning and PerformanceLifestyle Management with trained mentors.Direct financial support towards competition,training and equipment expenses is anothermajor part of the scheme. Many of the athleteshave already competed on the national orinternational stage and will be aiming to beamong Great Britain’s medal hopefuls atLondon 2012.122 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

2007/2008 saw Cambridge’s largest contingent ofsupported athletes since the scheme’s inceptionin 2002, with the Physical Education Departmentsupporting 16 University students together witha further 16 from further and higher educationinstitutions in the eastern region. Simon Cornish,the Physical Education Officer who manages TASSat Cambridge, emphasised the importance ofTASS to Cambridge athletes. "Balancing a degreecourse with elite-level athletic training requiresincredible amounts of determination, focus andtalent and nowhere is that more true than atCambridge.These athletes mix exceptionalacademic and sporting talent and TASS support isintegral in helping with the constant balancingact that they have to perform. Make a note oftheir names, there is every chance that some ofthese young people will be the sportingheadline-makers of the future."Success was not restricted to the CambridgeUniversity athletes, with Rifle shooter MattSkelhon (pictured), who studies in Peterboroughwith the Home Learning Network achieving aperfect score in his Paralympic Gold Medalcampaign in Beijing.Among the 2007/2008 TASS group was AnthonyCrutchett (Downing), a Fencer who travelled as atraining partner with fellow University studentand former TASS athlete Alex O’Connell to TeamGB’s pre-Olympic Training camp in Macau.Akbar Ansari (Trinity Hall), a cricketer with highhopes of playing top-level cricket aftergraduation, showed some of his burgeoningtalent by scoring 193 and an unbeaten 83 in thecricket Varsity match in July to go with his 73 inthe one-day victory over the Dark Blues. RowersPeter Marsland (Clare Hall) and Tom Ransley(Hughes Hall) recovered from the Boat Racedefeat to finish 4th in the World Cup "B Final" inPoznan in June 2008.123

Eric Evans FundAwards are made either to improve a student’s personalsporting performance beyond University level or to enablethem to undertake courses in connection with officiating,coaching or the administration of SportThe Managers of the Fund are:Mr A.D. Lemons (Hughes Hall)Director of Physical EducationDr J Lasenby (Trinity)Senior Treasurer, Women’s Blues CommitteeDr J Little (St Catharine’s)Senior Treasurer, Men’s Blues CommitteeIn 2007/2008, the Managers made awards totalling in excess of £2500 to the following students:Ian McGonigle King’s SailingSamantha Cutts Emmanuel Riding (Eventing)Jamie Douglas St John’s Squash and Real TennisNatalie McGoldrick Churchill EquestrianAndy Nowacki Robinson Target Rifle ShootingTom Ransley Hughes Hall RowingJoseph Wheeler St Edmund’s Rugby UnionRachel Fenton Darwin Mountain BikingChris Pedder Trinity Mountain BikingHumphrey Waddington St Catharine’sAthleticsMatthew Webb Trinity Hall SwimmingHarry Leitch Fitzwilliam SquashBen Richardson Churchill AthleticsJoel Taylor Peterhouse TrampoliningEllen Turnball Corpus Christi TrampoliningRobert Bogie Christ’s Target Rifle Shooting124 Annual Review of Sport 2007–2008

Produced by the Department of Physical Education in association withCommunications Services, University of CambridgeDesign by Cameron DesignPhotographs by Sophie Pickford© University of Cambridgewww.sport.cam.ac.ukwww.cam.ac.uk