College Football Latest
THE FIRST TWO weeks of matches in the new term have seen Magdalen extend their 100% record for the season to 11 games, writes Ben Steele. They are now within touching distance of repeating their success of last year and regaining the Premier League crown, with plenty of matches to spare.
The race for second spot is still very close with only seven points separating Hertford in second from Queen's who are currently occupying one of the relegation places.
Hertford's patchy recent form has allowed the rest of the division to close up, and they must be careful that they are not dragged into the dogfight at the bottom after their magnificent early season form.
Somerville have not improved as expected this term, and surely only a miracle will now save them from dropping into the first.
The other relegation place is much harder to predict, with Wadham finding the form expected of them, Njamma still scoring regularly for Merton/Mansfield, and Queen's starting to pick up points. This leaves Balliol, who must be concerned about their current slump.
THE PROMOTION PICTURE in the First Division, if anything, looks tighter than it did at the outset of the term. St John's have started the term on fire and three consecutive wins have taken them up to the fringes of the promotion chase.
With games in hand, and confidence high, they are currently shooting up the table as predicted earlier this term in our preview, and certainly cannot be ruled out for a promotion place.
Keble have won their first two games of term and consolidated their position in the top two, with St Anne's also keeping up the pressure in third. If the top four keep winning games against those in the lower reaches, the race might go right down to the wire.
At the bottom, Worcester and Univ. have not started as though they are capable of escaping, although if they can win their games in hand they can haul themselves back into contention.
Christ Church in eighth are only three points off Brasenose and with a game in hand should be confident of avoiding the drop. Lincoln and Exeter - watch out!
JESUS AND ST Hughes have further consolidated their positions at the top of the Second Division. With both teams still to play each other, the Second Division could end up anywhere.
Pembroke have won their only game this time and although Corpus still have them in their sights it looks like Pembroke will most likely take the third promotion sport. Don't rule out LMH though, winning their two games in hand would leave them within touching distance of the third spot.
At the foot of the table Trinity have hauled themselves off the bottom sport with an impressive recent run of results. Having beaten Peter's and drawn with Oriel in recent weeks the Broad Street side will be hoping to continue their run of good form and rise further up the table. Oriel and Peter's need to regain some form to avoid being usurped by Trinity.
Regent's look firmly stuck to the bottom. They will see their two fixtures against Trinity as their only chance to save face and avoid the wooden spoon this year.
31st Jan 2002