On a sunny day in late March, Oxford and Cambridge faced off in the 97th Varsity match at St John’s College Playing Fields, Cambridge. Oxford had narrowly won the 96th, though in the 95th Cambridge pulled off a major upset at the same ground, leaving everything to play for under the spring sun - Cambridge were looking for two home victories in a row, Oxford for the chance to reassert the dominance of recent years.
Oxford started well. Solid ruckwork from Jack 'Inspector' Valmadre and strong body positioning from Prof Matt McGilvray provided Oxford with more than their fair share of the footy. Phill ‘Hammer’ Hamer and James ‘MD’ Kennedy went searching for targets in the forward line, and were not disappointed, but it took a while for this dominance to be reflected on the scoreboard. Usual suspect Dylan Wise opened the scoring with a solid mark and goal from out in front. Lightning struck twice for Dylan, and a few minutes later he sent through his second.
Oxford started well. Solid ruckwork from Jack 'Inspector' Valmadre and strong body positioning from Prof Matt McGilvray provided Oxford with more than their fair share of the footy. Phill ‘Hammer’ Hamer and James ‘MD’ Kennedy went searching for targets in the forward line, and were not disappointed, but it took a while for this dominance to be reflected on the scoreboard. Usual suspect Dylan Wise opened the scoring with a solid mark and goal from out in front. Lightning struck twice for Dylan, and a few minutes later he sent through his second.
FIRST GOAL OF THE MATCH GOES TO THE DARK BLUES WITH A PERFECT KICK FROM DYLAN WISE!
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
Play went back and forward for the rest of the first half, as both sides tried to find their rhythm. Oxford possessions seemed to be much cleaner as accurate passing and reliable marking allowed us easy yards up the field. By contrast, Cambridge struggled to get clean possession in dangerous areas and were always made to work hard for their ground. The Oxford defence, packed with experience, was able to clear up the more speculative punts forward. Nathan 'Jesus' Grindal made Cambridge think twice about going near the ball, while Ollie Bartlett and Genie 'Fist' Duff cleared up scraps and were able to recycle the ball to the targets waiting further up the field.
This paid dividends as Bartlett found club stalwart Grey Johnston, who in turn picked out Seb 'Flounder' Wylie, who led strongly in the forward line all day. With the title of “Best Forward in the Osney Thermofluids Lab” up for grabs, Dylan and Flounder got the goal kicking rivalry underway, making Cambridge suffer on the scoreboard in the process. Flounder walked back and got his first, followed by his second from the pocket.
Cambridge struck back just before the end of the quarter and bagged a fine goal from 40m out to leave the scoreboard reading: Oxford 25 - Cambridge 6.
The message at quarter time from Coach Riggas (narrowly pipped by Simon Goodwin as Melbourne Coach for 2017) was simple: keep going hard and keep scoring goals. This was the quarter in which to break the Cambridge spirits and establish a stranglehold on the match.
This paid dividends as Bartlett found club stalwart Grey Johnston, who in turn picked out Seb 'Flounder' Wylie, who led strongly in the forward line all day. With the title of “Best Forward in the Osney Thermofluids Lab” up for grabs, Dylan and Flounder got the goal kicking rivalry underway, making Cambridge suffer on the scoreboard in the process. Flounder walked back and got his first, followed by his second from the pocket.
Cambridge struck back just before the end of the quarter and bagged a fine goal from 40m out to leave the scoreboard reading: Oxford 25 - Cambridge 6.
The message at quarter time from Coach Riggas (narrowly pipped by Simon Goodwin as Melbourne Coach for 2017) was simple: keep going hard and keep scoring goals. This was the quarter in which to break the Cambridge spirits and establish a stranglehold on the match.
Good chat in the crowd #shoethetabs pic.twitter.com/NN55tVrwgl
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
Dylan kept the scoreboard ticking over with another goal, his leads proving to be too elusive for his Cambridge defender. Louis Jamart added French flair to the wing, playing in front of his dad, arguably the sharpest dressed man in Cambridge that afternoon (sorry Hugo). Rob Cornish didn’t give away any easy ground or ball in the backline after coming on in leaps and bounds this past year. Ben Young got on top of his opposite man in defence and ran hard all day, seemingly never tiring. At the other end, Josh McGeechan was also tackling hard and applying good pressure to prevent Cambridge from getting the ball out easily. Ewan Selkirk was too quick to tackle (and too short - getting his customary free kick for a high tackle), and almost had himself a long range goal.
Jesus, anything but meek and mild, was causing carnage at the back. Oliver Bartlett came off after a collision between the pair, allowing Dustin Stuart to enter the fray, running round the backline like a bull in a china shop. Not content with stopping there, Jesus then flew into a tackle with the Cambridge full forward, but was unfortunate to have it called high, late and off the ball. Sometimes the decisions don't go your way, and Cambridge put it through for a major. Still, it was a long time before the Cambridge forward line went anywhere near him.
Jesus, anything but meek and mild, was causing carnage at the back. Oliver Bartlett came off after a collision between the pair, allowing Dustin Stuart to enter the fray, running round the backline like a bull in a china shop. Not content with stopping there, Jesus then flew into a tackle with the Cambridge full forward, but was unfortunate to have it called high, late and off the ball. Sometimes the decisions don't go your way, and Cambridge put it through for a major. Still, it was a long time before the Cambridge forward line went anywhere near him.
Our glorious President Oliver Bartlett comes off with a bung knee. Sad!
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
At the other end, captain fantastic, Dan Tracey was busy creating opportunities for himself and those around him, bagging a behind and putting ex-captain and Varsity specialist Dave Llewellyn into space for another Oxford goal.
Cambridge struck back with a behind and a goal created by their elusively quick number 16 in the midfield. The tabs, with many GAA players as ever, used quick handballs and ran the footy to create space. This match wasn't going to be a walk in the park, despite how it may seem from this (admittedly slightly biased) account.
Toby Lees, playing in his first Varsity (and possibly last, unless we get permission from the Pope for him to return next year) picked up a mark in the forward line from another Hamer bullet, but pushed it slightly wide for a behind. At the halftime orange break, Oxford led 6.2.38 - 3.1.19.
Cambridge came out fighting in the third quarter, playing rough in an attempt to provoke a reaction from Oxford. A notably bizarre incident involved Ell Neame being taken hostage in a headlock. Matt McGilvray saw his opportunity to break his "jersey-punch duck", and made his outrage known.
James Kennedy fired back with a monster goal that had the crowd discussing whether 9 point super goals should be introduced to the Varsity derby. It was helped on its way by some selfless shepherding from Flounder, Ben 'Pigeon' Hunn, and Dan (and a Cambridge defender who chose to go for the Oxford forwards rather than stop the bouncing ball from rolling through). Had Pigeon known what would happen in the next quarter, he probably would have poked it through himself.
Cambridge struck back with a behind and a goal created by their elusively quick number 16 in the midfield. The tabs, with many GAA players as ever, used quick handballs and ran the footy to create space. This match wasn't going to be a walk in the park, despite how it may seem from this (admittedly slightly biased) account.
Toby Lees, playing in his first Varsity (and possibly last, unless we get permission from the Pope for him to return next year) picked up a mark in the forward line from another Hamer bullet, but pushed it slightly wide for a behind. At the halftime orange break, Oxford led 6.2.38 - 3.1.19.
Cambridge came out fighting in the third quarter, playing rough in an attempt to provoke a reaction from Oxford. A notably bizarre incident involved Ell Neame being taken hostage in a headlock. Matt McGilvray saw his opportunity to break his "jersey-punch duck", and made his outrage known.
James Kennedy fired back with a monster goal that had the crowd discussing whether 9 point super goals should be introduced to the Varsity derby. It was helped on its way by some selfless shepherding from Flounder, Ben 'Pigeon' Hunn, and Dan (and a Cambridge defender who chose to go for the Oxford forwards rather than stop the bouncing ball from rolling through). Had Pigeon known what would happen in the next quarter, he probably would have poked it through himself.
Stunner of a goal from Ell Neame!!!! □□□
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
As Cambridge tired, Elliot Neame started to use his pace to break out of contests and into free space. He belted one home from 30 meters and wheeled round to celebrate, unfortunately without realising that it had drifted wide at the last moment. Fortunately for Ell, he got his chance only moments later from the same spot, and his next one was even greater (described by Jess 'wish I'd remembered suncream' Testro, as ‘Dangerfield-esque’).
Cambridge working back into this with some efficient work forward. Oxford 38 Cambridge 14. Time to take the rubbish players off @hcwbatten pic.twitter.com/xzs5Xi0Rzt
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
Hugo 'Big Cat' Batten couldn't hold onto on the next bomb in the forward line, but regathered and charged through a weak Cambridge tackle to kick a goal from 30m out. The Cambridge shenanigans earlier in the quarter had failed to significantly alter the flow of the game, and now Tab morale was starting to take damage. Almost as much damage was done to Hugo Batten's cherished social media presence, as alumni Stranks and Nicholls, bored with proceedings and armed with an old password for the OUARFC Twitter account, amused themselves with a classic character assassination.
At the end of the quarter, the Big Cat online brand was in tatters, and Oxford were up 9.5.59 - 3.2.20, with one hand on the trophy.
At the end of the quarter, the Big Cat online brand was in tatters, and Oxford were up 9.5.59 - 3.2.20, with one hand on the trophy.
Auditioning to coach Melbourne pic.twitter.com/GlRGnRK4dv
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
Oxford started the 4th quarter in high spirits, and uncontested possessions allowed them to move the ball around the ground as they pleased (including an unorthodox kick from Flounder, not into the forward line but backwards to JK in midfield, Barcelona-esque). Mitch Robertson did admirably, playing simultaneously in the forward and backlines after a whiteboard malfunction, but, as with everything, took it calmly in his stride. Meanwhile, the Oxford bench were kept busy, all the substitutes got a run around, Brad Jordan particularly showing his ultra-marathon stamina as he kept running and running til his Cambridge opposite couldn’t keep up.
Flounder and Grey had rotated excellently all day, and Flounder Wylie grabbed his 3rd of the day with a howitzer from the centre square to spark pandemonium in the crowds.
Flounder and Grey had rotated excellently all day, and Flounder Wylie grabbed his 3rd of the day with a howitzer from the centre square to spark pandemonium in the crowds.
Goal to Genie! #twofists onegoal pic.twitter.com/3HK9cFC0NU
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
Meanwhile in the back line, there wasn't much going on (apart from Jesus finishing what he had started and re-injuring Bartlett as they both went up to contest the ball). Genie 'Fist' Duff saw his opportunity to sneak further up the ground, and Geoff Pascoe, sensing history in the making, provided him with a well weighted pass. Genie resisted the urge to punch it away as far as possible and took the mark. The crowd went wild as Genie went back and slotted the goal, and other defenders started to ask the question - "How hard can slotting goals be?". Well, after more goals from Dylan and a Tab, we had the opportunity to find out. Step forward Ben Hunn.
Goal to Dylan after a superb pass from Wylie. #raininggoals pic.twitter.com/uLkcKHgCMA
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
Pidge has been a stalwart of the Oxford backline for a number of years, but sadly the opportunity never really arrived for him at the other end. As a defender who has never contributed much in front of goal either, I don't want to be too harsh on Pidge. Let's just say that after a neat mark, his effort at goal neither went very far, nor very straight. He turned sheepishly to the bench to find Seb Wylie grinning from ear to ear.
Hunn misses #mercyrule pic.twitter.com/y3GsR5YjBM
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
The game ended with more forays into Cambridge territory, but Oxford were unable to add any more goals. At the final whistle there were wild celebrations, a ropey rendition of The Old Dark Navy Blues and beers all round. Oxford had won the 96th Varsity 12.8.80 - 4.4.28. A big thanks to the umpires and Cambridge, who put on an excellent function at the Athletics club after the game. Josh Combs excelled himself in the traditional post match boat race, seeing off the first and last pints with a terrifying efficiency.
Second and most important victory of the day goes to Oxford men and women for a stellar performance in the varsity boat race !□
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
There were a number of factors that led to Oxford's victory, from the ruck dominance of Jack, the goal threat posed by Dylan and Seb, the uncompromising defence of Genie and Jesus. But ultimately the victory can be attributed to the depth of talent within the Oxford team, and the improvement throughout the year of all players. The likes of Matt McGilvray, James Kennedy, Phil Hamer, Grey Johnston and the other Oxford men racked up significant possessions, and were able to deliver well into the forward line. Cambridge looked brightest when individual players had moments of brilliance. Oxford put in a true team performance, and were at no stage over-reliant on individual players and moments (though there were many). Oxford played their most complete match for a long time, and with key players sticking around next year, the future is bright for OUARFC.
The varsity cup is on its way home to Oxford pic.twitter.com/lZVsg1uaHW
— Oxford Aussie Rules (@OUARFC) March 11, 2017
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