CROSS COUNTRY - Varsity Match 2010

Sunday 5 December 2010

A snowy December 5th saw the annual varsity cross country contest at Wimbledon Common.  Following defeat in both the gentlemen’s and ladies’ races last year, the light blues were keen to take revenge on their dark blue rivals.

The ladies’ team however had much trouble in the lead up to the match with many of its athletes, including last year’s champion Naomi Taschimowitz, succumbing to injury.  With Oxford’s team at full strength it was going to be a hard race.  Cambridge’s iron woman triathlete Lucy Gossage set off at a blistering pace, leaving most of the field trailing, but later paid the price for it in the dreaded butts, and finished 5th behind Oxford’s 4 scorers.  This unfortunately meant the team result had already been decided with 2006’s champion Polly Keen, returning from a sprained ankle finishing in 8th, Lauren Barklie in 9th and Christie Noble, also returning from injury in 10th.  The final score ended as Oxford 10, Cambridge 32.

In the gentlemen’s race the light blues were also starting as heavy underdogs, with Oxford’s David Bruce and Andy Heyes, 1st and 3rd last year respectively, returning.  Heading into the water jump Cambridge’s Soren Lindner and Robin Brown led the pack, but soon the ominous pair of Bruce and Heyes headed to the front breaking away, with only Lindner still in contention.  A brutal battle between the three over the harsh conditions ended with a dramatic finish with Heyes taking victory, Lindner 2nd and Bruce 3rd.  With Jake Shelly of Oxford taking 4th, and Robin Brown 5th there was still all to play for in the team contest.  Unfortunately Oxford’s final three scorers took the next three places.  There was drama late on with light blues Will Mackay and Chris Bannon entering the last field simultaneously with dark blue Fraser Scott, but the team result had already been decided with Oxford taking victory 29 points to 52.       

               35th Ladies' Race                                               120th Gentlemen's Race

1.	R.S.Deegan	Oxford	24:57		1.	A.R.Heyes	Oxford	39:32
2.	J.Anselin	Oxford	25:06		2.	S.M.Lindner	Cambridge	39:43
3.	E.J.Waldman	Oxford	25:06		3.	D.J.Bruce	Oxford	39:59
4.	H.J.Munn	Oxford	25:10		4.	J.Shelley	Oxford	40:18
5.	L.M.Gossage	Cambridge	25:14		5.	R.B.Brown	Cambridge	40:28
6.	C.R.Kane	Oxford	25:25		6.	C.P.McGurk	Oxford	40:38
7.	N.Poole	Oxford	25:28		7.	L.A.Caldwell	Oxford	40:40
8.	P.H.R.Keen	Cambridge	25:35		8.	F.Downs	Oxford	41:12
9.	L.K.Barklie	Cambridge	26:17		9.	M.A.A.Grant	Cambridge	41:47
10.	C.C.A.Noble	Cambridge	26:18		10.	C.A.M.Bannon	Cambridge	41:56
11.	R.M.Kitchen	Cambridge	26:50		11.	F.A.M.Scott	Oxford	42:00
12.	J.V.Thomas	Cambridge	33:19		12.	W.J.Mackay	Cambridge	42:05
					13.	J.A.Pearson-Stuttard	Oxford	42:10
					14.	M.J.R.Clark	Cambridge	42:18
					15.	S.J.Ashcroft	Cambridge	43:08
					16.	J.H.Cook	Cambridge	43:23

 

Ladies
Oxford 10 : 32 Cambridge

Mens
Oxford 52 : 29 Cambridge