College croquet preview
Magdalen: Predicted finish 1st
Compared to the previous three years, it is not easy to predict the result of this year’s Cuppers. Winning the last two cuppers events, Magadalen seemed to be embarking on a run comparable to that of Manchester United in the 90’s. In the last three years, Jonathan Kirby, a player ranked in the top 10 in the world, played for Magdalen and could almost singleh a n d e d l y ensure victory in most m a t c h e s .
He will not be playing this year, however, so the competition is likely to be much more open. Still, Magdalen has some experienced players as well as some promising new arrivals, so they should still do well. '
Captain’s Talk
Confident a s ever, Magdalen’s captain stated: “We will certainly be aiming high. I think one of our strengths lies in our sound understanding of the tactics, derived from experience.
To be honest, I haven’t seen my team in action yet because the season has only just started and Magdalen lawns are not yet open. As such I can’t say more at this stage.”
Star Player
Alex Gray is an excellent player. He has represented Oxford in the Varsity Match in the past. (He has been selected at least twice, but had to pull out last year because of work commitments).
Having said that, it’s difficult to guess what his or anybody else’s form will be like this season because there has been no croquet for almost a year.
Brasenose: Predicted finish 2nd
Brasenose college announce themselves on the croquet scene in last years competition, with a surprise appearance in the final against Magdalen. Overcoming the croquet president’s team, Linacre, and much revered New college, Brasenose have become a force to be reckoned with. Three players remain from last year, with the ever accurate Dan Maitland, Captain Ralph Windham, and Eli Mitropoulos; a great tactician. They are joined this time round by experienced incomer James Mortimer.
Captain’s Talk
When asked about his aims for this season, Windham explained: “My only hope is for us to produce solid performances and to justify our ranking.’” Ever-cautious, however, he refused to reveal his side’s strengths or weaknesses, explaining : “such information can not be disclosed publically!’”
Star player
Dan Maitland has proved a real asset for Brasenose in recent times. He is accurate and ruthless, and on his day can compete with the best in the university.
His experence will also tell in close encounters.
New: Predicted finish 3rd
New College have two seeded teams this year, and both are looking to go one better than last years semi final appearances. New 1 were finalists two years ago, and lost in the semis with a muchdepleted team last year. A surprise defeat to Brasenose left them ruing what might have been. In an earlier round they eased past Mansfield, who are this year seeded six. All four players are back, and hope this year that exams won’t interfere with fixtures.
The teams great strength lies in their experience. None of the partnerships have ever been beaten, only losing when missing two of four players due to finals last year.
Captain’s Talk
Captain Sam Mooring commented: “The confidence in the camp is very high, especially with the absence of Magdalen’s Jonathan Kirby, ranked in the worlds top 10 (I think 6 at the moment).”
Star Player
The star player to look out for is University Captain Sam Mooring. He has been beaten only once in croquet cuppers in 4 years, in the 2003 final, and will hold the key to New’s sucess.
New2: Predicted 4th
New 2 were a surprise package in the latter stages of last year’s cuppers event. Like Brasenose, it was unexpected that they would perform so well against the higher quality teams. The fact that a second team has become so highly regarded is testament to the strong croquet culture inherent in New college life. With a strong university presence in the first team, the seconds has given the chance for talented but perhaps less experienced players to show their worth.
This term, the cuppers draw has been fairly favourable to New 2, pitting them against Merton 10 first up. However, the nature of the competition is such that the talent of the opposition is not always fairly reflected in their team number. As such, their is always the chance of an upset.
Captain’s Talk The New Captain, Patrick Mair assessed his team’s chances in a realistic light: “New 2 exceeded all expectations last year but will hope to repeat their performance this year.
Our relative inexperience may hamper us in the big games, but natural talent should see us through to at least the quarter finals stage."
Star Player
With much of the New college talent taken by the first team, the second string have looked ever more reliantly to Mair their captain. If he performs to his true ability the side should do as well as expected this time round.
Trinity: Predicted 5th
Trinity are yet another strong side who proved their worth last summer term. Historically a strong side on the lawns, the stalwarts of Oxford croquet are very likely to be at the top challenging once more this season. Arguably, their position in the draw this time round is one of the most unfortunate. Within the first three rounds they face the possibility of Keble, Teddy Hall and Christ Church first teams.
Whilst none of the latter are particularly renowned in croquet circles, the possible introduction of talented freshers could prove a problem for the Trinity side.
Captain’s Talk
“I wouldn’t like to guess how well we will do this year. We have the same team as last year, so hopefully that experience will hold us in good stead. But the beauty of cuppers is that there are so many teams and it really is down to the luck of the draw whether you come up against a good team early on in the competition or get an easy run through to the semi-finals. Another great thing about cuppers is the opportunity to play in all the different colleges - often adjusting to the oddities of college lawns can prove to be the most difficult obstacle to victory.
Star Player
Ian Hewitt, the Trinity captain will be very influential in this term’s campaign.
Mansfield: expected 6th
Mansf ield performed well in last year’s competition and have undoubtedly proved their worth in the top flight of university croquet. Knocked out only by a strong New College side last Trinity, the same team is out for revenge in cuppers this time round. The key to Mansfield’s success comes from the varied talents of each individual player. Tight, defensive tactics from Jon Nickson are complemented by the more aggressive style utilised by Paul Joyce.
Ben Jones and James Tavener make up the remainder of the team. The college quad is perhaps Mansfield’s biggest advantage; it’s surface comparable more to a mountain range than a croquet lawn. Given their seed placing of 6, the home advantage will be with them for the first few rounds, and their success will ride on their ability to capitalise on this.
Captain’s Talk
Despite a high rank from the university croquet club, Mansfield are not getting too cocky prior to the competition getting underway. Ben Jones, the first team captain, commented: “whilst confidence is high, we are not getting complacent. With Exeter 1 the first team up to play, Mansfield cannot afford a single mistake. James Tavener will really have to show his metal if we are to start the season strongly.
Star player
James Tavener was undoubtedly Mansfield’s greatest asset last year. He performed well in a hard-fought match against Sam Mooring of New college, which saw Mansfield narrowly lose out in the earlier stages. This year, it may be down to another player to step up and perform, as finals pressure could build up on the third year. Jones will be looking to use his full compliment of talent if he is to succeed this time round.
4th May 2006