Hockey girls line up for Varsity hat trick
The Women's Hockey Blues this week took another step towards a hat trick of victories against Cambridge this season.
Having convincingly beat en the side 4-1 at home earlier in the season, Oxford travelled to the Fens hoping for a similar performance in the BUSA premier league.
Travelling across country and with a sideline full of light-blue supporters to contend with, it was always going to be a harder task than the home game but the Dark Blues remained undaunted.
Captain Kate Adlington was prevented from playing due to an ankle injury sustained during the mid-season 'friendlies' and the team had to restructure slightly.
Vicky Anderson stepped into the centre back role with her usual assuredness and calm, and was ably supported by Sarah Bennett and Miranda Hayward defending solidly on either side.
Oxford dominated the first half, reaping the benefits of their recent work on pressuring the opposition, a tactic introduced by new coach John Shaw.
The Cambridge goalkeeper did a good job of keeping them in the game with some sharp saves from short corners.
However, Oxford's dominance finally paid off at the end of the half as Anderson clinically finished a short corner rebound with a reverse stick lift over the keeper.
After half time, Oxford continued to pressure the Light Blues, and it wasn't long before they were rewarded again, this time by a top-quality goal from Kathryn Stedman. Receiving the ball with her back to goal, she controlled it perfectly, turned and shot quickly, giving the defence and keeper no chance to react.
Sitting comfortably up at 2-0 there were some signs that the Dark Blues were beginning to tire, and Cambridge started to enjoy more possession.
Despite a relative dearth of chances, the Light Blues managed to pull a goal back from a well-struck short corner into the bottom right of the goal.
However, Oxford retained their composure and carried on playing their game - well enough to hold the score at 2-1 until the final whistle.
With two victories over Cambridge already under their belt this season, the Oxford players can look forward to their Varsity match on March 1st with confidence, although there is still much work to be done.
With this game also representing another three points in the BUSA league, Oxford are now sitting comfortably at third. More good performances over the next couple of weeks will confirm the Dark Blues' standing as one of the top university hockey teams in the country.
3rd Feb 2005