Varsity Match

After Christmas, the squad came back with a dogged determination to continue the great run of form from the previous term.

The highlight of the season, the Varsity match, proved to be a day of mixed results. The Blues lost in a close run game, their efforts hampered by injuries during the game to two key players. The Jays on the other hand produced an outstanding performance and came out 36-34 winners, with Hannah Pettictt at WA named man of the match.

The Blues continued to play storming netball in the BUCS league and have secured promotion for next season after finishing top of the league with a massive 227 goal difference- a very impressive achievement. Furthermore, the Blues reached the Finals of their BUSA cup, a game that is set to be broadcast on Sky. The Blues came up against a strong Birmingham 2nds team and at the end of full time, the whistle went signalling a draw, just as the Blues had the ball in the circle ready to shoot. Extra time saw the goals continue to be exchanged alternatively until in the dying moments, when further injuries to the Blues allowed Birmingham to sneak away with the victory, leaving Cambridge with the silver medal.

Overall, the squad has had an incredible successful season and this year had laid great foundations for the next. With so many players looking to play again in next year's squad, the 2010-11 season is sure to be an exciting one.

Emma Darke

Captain 2009-10

This year's Varsity Match is to be held in Oxford. As usual it is expected to be the highlight of each teams' year with all teams training very hard for what is expected to be a great day.

Date:
20th February

Location:
Iffley Road Sports Centre, Oxford

Schedule:
Jays match: 10.30
Blues match: 12.30

Good luck to both teams

Held in Cambridge.

Blues:

Cambridge 34

Oxford 31

2nds:

Cambridge 33

Oxford 35

Congratulations to the Blues for a well-fought win over Oxford!

Both matches were extremely close and tense throughout. The level of play was very high from all four teams.

In the 2nds' match, Cambridge closed up an initial Oxford three-goal lead, and after the second quarter there were never more than two goals between the teams. Going into the last quarter, the scores were tied at 26-26, but Oxford perseverance paid off when a break in the Cambridge defence gave them a vital two goal lead, and with it, the win.

The Blues were initially 4-6 down to Oxford, but fought back strongly in the second quarter to level the score at 14-14. After the third quarter they led 23-21. Cambridge captain, Harriet McGrath, was unperturbed by an ankle injury and played on. Oxford fought back strongly in the last quarter, but Cambridge defended solidly and extended their lead to three goals, winning the match 34-31.

Held in Oxford.

Blues:

Oxford 30

Cambridge 25

2nds:

Oxford 41

Cambridge 34

Commiserations to Cambridge who just missed out in this year's Varsity match. A Blues Match report can be found on the back page of this week's Varsity Newspaper (issue 673).