Gym and Tonic
OXFORD ENJOYED success in the Varsity Match held at Huntingdon Olympic Gymnastics Club, with both team and individual victories split.
The women's team repeated last year's victory beating the Tabs 96.55 to 93.2. New team member Teri Penny scored well on vault in the first rotation, before claiming 3rd place in the individual competition. Cambridge performed well on asymmetric bars to gain a slight lead, but with consistent routines the Blues stayed in touch with their two best pieces yet to come. The beam proved to be the turning point, with the Blues performing artistic routines of high difficulty, with significantly fewer falls than the Tabs. Good scores here from team captain Hannah Barnes and Nicki Ashbee pushed Oxford into the lead. In the final rotation the whole team excelled, with Pippa Whitehouse retiring from competition on a great score of 9.05. Nicki scored highest on floor with 9.40, securing 2nd place in the individual competition. Jessica Booth (reserve) performed consistently, and was a good support to the team.
The men's team were unable to prevent the Tabs claming a third straight victory, but still claimed the individual title through Keble's Dominic Siddall. The team event was closely fought, with only a 3-mark deficit at the end of six pieces. Despite a late rally on vault and high bar, the Oxford team were unable to counter Cambridge's dominance on the rings and pommel horse.
The laid-back Kevin Davidson produced a creditable performance in his first match, including the high score on vault. His pedigree as a former national level gymnast was invaluable, and was complemented by great performances from relative newcomers to the sport. Chris Kimber was neat and stylish, showing great potential on all pieces. In the past year he has developed floor and horizontal bar to improve his personal best score by 14 marks. Iain MacLeod produced newly learned somersaults and back flips in his first ever competition, which featured strong performances on floor and vault. Captain Richard Shelley was solid as ever, competing a range of new skills and a huge handspring vault. After an event-high score of 9.8 on floor, and an embarrassing nosedive on vault, Siddall landed a double-back somersault from horizontal bar to complete a 3rd individual varsity win.
13th Feb 2003