Varsity Match 2007 - Live Weblog
POST: Ben Measures, OUMPA OBs President 29/03/2007 23:52
Here are a few photos from the first day of the Varsity Match. The teams have arrived at Bradfield College and are settling into the school house which has enjoyed a £1m refit since our last stay; Cambridge arrived en masse promptly and have so far shown a team sprit demonstrating that they have the resolve to reverse the trend of recent Oxford domination. Oxford's late arrival means that they missed the introductions meeting and initial event briefings, hopefully not an early sign of a deterioration of the professionalism which has been their trademark for so many years. Oxford have already suffered an injury with Marinel Fitzsimons, the ladies' first reserve, having had a cycling accident earlier in the day. The resulting knee injury sadly looks likely to put a halt on her first Varsity Match experience. Meanwhile Jamie, Results Director, has ensured that the first of the traditional series of organisers' evenings out has resulted in early 7th event scoring thanks to the arrival of Lara. We are also very happy to see that our furthest travelling supporter, Matthew Gisborne, has arrive from Australia, just in time to complain about the 2.5 degree temperature before being warmed up by a pint of real English Ale in the Red Lion. Tomorrow the competition begins bright and early and focus will turn to which side can develop the all important early lead.
POST: Oli Rees-Jones, OUMPA Men's Manager 30/03/2007 15:18
After the shoot phase the competition remains tight with the Oxford men nudging ahead of Cambridge, with the reverse in the ladies competition. Best shoot for the men goes to James Corbet-Burcher (OUMPA president) and both teams looking forward to a competitive swim phase...
POST: James Graham-Brown, Swim Director 30/03/2007 17:23
The swimming phase passed by in a wave of intense competition, fog horns and, in some cases, screaming that made people's faces turn crimson. The Cambridge girls increased their lead in the overall competition with a comfortable victory, but the Oxford ladies are already plotting their comeback tomorrow in the last two phases. The Oxford gentlemen take a commanding lead into into the day's third phase (fencing) after a very strong performance in the pool, amassing over 7,000 points together. However, and more importantly, the Oxford Old Blues won the swimming phase of the Old Blus Challenge for the first time in decades, meaning that they cannot be overhauled in the competition tomorrow and will therefore retain the much sought after tankard for the umpteenth year. The Cambridge Old Blues President has promised to shave all of his body hair off, not just his head, in an effort to do so. He gets stranger by the year.
POST: Ben Measures, OUMPA OBs President 31/03/2007 15:52
Back from a ride that was of outstanding quality. Special mention to Iain Macleod who unfortunately didn't complete the course, but whose recent hard work in this event was evident in his much improved style. Emma Kenney-Herbert and Richard Hildick-Smith managed clear rounds with Richard now comfortably in a position to challenge the Varsity Match record.
OFFICIAL PHOTOS can be viewed at: www.sawyerphotographic.co.uk
POST: Cahir King, Varsity Match Director 31/03/2007 18:30
The first five events of the match are finished now and results are in. After a great competition the Oxford gents team came out top with Richard Hildick-Smith recording a record individual varsity match score. The Cambridge ladies evened up the score with a dominant performance winning the team event for the first time in seven years - in convincing style too. The Cambridge ladies took the first six places in the individual event too. The athletes and officials are gearing up for the Varsity Gala Dinner hoping for success in the 6th and 7th events and the all important "Chubby Bunnies"!
POST: Daniel James, CUMPC Competitior 31/03/2007 18:38
The Cambridge men had a great match, most notably Jon Wright, naval officer, full blue, though has strange ideas about ironing.
POST: Noel Cochrane and Victoria Bradley report post-match for Cambridge. 31/03/2007 18:50
Yet again the varsity match has proved to provide both teams with a great amount of enjoyment and challenge. The Cambridge ladies and ladies reserves are in obviously high spirits after a level of concentration and determination which rocketed them to victory. The strength and depth of the Cambridge team finely came to fruition after a hardcore training season and the win was very much deserved and complete. Numerous high individual scores could be noted if we had room - but amalgamated to produce a dominating performance over Oxford - that set a new all time Cambridge record.
In a tantalisingly close finale the Oxford men sprinted to a physical win over the light blues. However the team spirit in the Cambridge camp fought back to the very end. An exceptional performance by Jon "Sausage" Wright won him a much deserved full blue. Mention must go to Richard (Dick) Hilldick-Smith, GB pentathlete, for a commanding performance. The men's reserves competition was well won by the Cambridge with a strong team performance and spirit showing through for the victory.
The current blues would like to thank the organising committee for a fantastic Varsity Match and are preparing for a fantastic dinner. It isn't over til the 6th and 7th event shield is retained by light blue hands!
POST: Mostyn Brown and James Corbet Burcher, OUMPA 31/03/2007 19:12
VM50 has proved another stormer for our OUMPA boys. In short, Oxford held onto the Men's team title for the 12th year running. Tabs gave a good fight coming back in the fence and ride after a new Oxford swim average of 1000+ points per man. Physicals and the shoot remained our stomping ground. We've been asked to say a few gracious words for our oppo, er…… Nick England showed he had balls in the ride and John Wright fully deserved his long sought full blue - many congrats. Noel unfortunately learnt how to fence, damn him! But look out for next year, Charlie, Adam, over to you!
POST: Matthew Gisborne, OUMPA Old Blue 01/04/2007 09:52
Sunday 1st April, the morning after the fiftieth pentathlon Varisty Match, and I dare say some are feeling pretty foolish after last night's dinner! The second VM at Bradfield has run extremely smoothly, Cahir and company have put on a great event. The match this year has seen the Oxford men's impressive run continue as they clocked up there eleventh consecutive victory, despite a competent and spirited Cambridge challenge. Richard Hilldick-Smith posted an impressive new individual record, which even he might struggle to match in the next two years. The Oxford woman's run of six wins has come to an abrupt end with Cambridge taking the top six individual places. The CUMPC renaissance that began two years ago at Bradfield has now yielded a team victory and Oxford women will be hard pressed to reclaim the title next year with so many vets in the Cambridge team who will be around for years yet. The team spirit in all four teams was excellent and heads never dropped, even with hefty defeats in some events. The Oxford women clearly need to work on their shooting but the inexperienced team showed great pluck, especially in the fence where they struggled early on but the pegged Cambridge back in the latter stages. We will wait with interest to see how both clubs respond to this year's result when we return to Tonbridge in a year's time.
Zig