Netball
Oxford 54 - Birmingham 55
Following the success of Oxford's netballers against Kent in third week, hopes were high of a victory against Birmingham. The winners of this match would go through to the BUSA quarter-finals.
The Blues' starting line-up was the same as for the previous week, with shooters Amy Harper (Queens), Ruth Grigor (LMH); centre-court Kate Warner (Queens), Michelle Pratt (New) and Helen Turner (St Peter's); and defence Helen Scofield (LMH) and Justine Greenhow (Worc).
Oxford started slowly against excellent opposition; by half time Oxford were down by eight goals. The Blues' defence fought valiantly and determinedly against a skilful Birmingham attack, as the Oxford strikeforce started to pull goals back.
Tracey Pratt (SEH) returning from injury, came on at half-time at WA, Warner moving to WD. It may have been this tactical switch or the tiring of Birmingham that allowed Oxford to recover to only a two-goal deficit by the end of the third quarter.
The last quarter was fought hard, and although Oxford played well, they could not make up for their bad start, going down by 55 points to 54. This echoes their one-goal defeat at the hands of Swansea in the BUSA knockout stages last year .
"We lost and are totally gutted," mused captain Ruth Grigor after the match, but added: "the Blues showed real determination and excellent team spirit to fight right up to the last minute." The Varsity match is on February 19 at Iffley Gym.
27th Jan 2000