Cambridge thrown off track
Race for the prize: Sean Gourley came first in the men’s 110m hurdle event.
Oxford athletes exceeded even their own expectations to take a clean sweep of both the men’s and women’s Blues and Seconds Matches in the Varsity Athletics meet, but not without controversy. Cambridge Alverstones (the men’s second team) were originally announced as the victors over Oxford’s Centipedes, but when scores were re-totalled the following morning it was found there had been a mistake, with Oxford the true victor by one point, 106-105.
There were no words to describe the added elation that this brought to overjoyed captains Martine Bomb and Jon Buckler, who had already led their teams to victory in the Men’s and Women’s Blues matches (113-99 and 102-88 respectively) and the Women’s Seconds (105-94).
Although the weather was a touch on the windy side, this did not stop athletes from breaking personal bests, nor were they deterred by the delay of the Cambridge team, who had managed to drive their team bus into the back of a car. Thankfully nobody was hurt, but nerves were left to mount as the Oxford team were left waiting at Iffley Road for an additional three hours. Leading by example, OUAC President Martine Bomb opened the day with a fantastic victory in the 400m hurdles.
Not only did she smash her personal best into oblivion with a time of 61.94s, but she also set a new National Record for her native Luxembourg. In previous competitions, Bomb has relished the challenge of competing against Cambridge’s GB Heptathlete, Phyllis Agbo, and was thrilled to finally snatch a victory from her adversary in the 100m hurdles with another best of 14.58s.
She was ably supported in both hurdles events by Sally Hughes, who also pulled out two gutsy runs to set personal bests of 71.12s and 17.66s. Such is the depth of the Oxford women’s Blues team that Cambridge’s Agbo was the only female to achieve any wins for the team. Lizi Brathwaite put in a spectacular performance to win both the 800m (2.08.99) and the 400m (56.61s), narrowly missing out on the Competition record in the former.
Hannah Hogben dominated the Hammer and Discus events, setting a PB of 31.10m in the latter. Ailsa Wallace not only leaped to victory in the High Jump (1.68m) but also triumphed in the Pole Vault (2.30m). Back on the track, Rachel Deegan and Laura Kyte placed one-two in the Mile event, and Courtney Birch battled with Cambridge’s Charlotte Forbes in the 5000m, pulling away in the final lap to win in 17.58.9.
Steph Magdett in the Long Jump
In the men’s Blues match, Oxford displayed excellent depth in the field events, scoring a huge number of wins and second places. Stephen McCauley took double victory in the Discus (41.64m) and the Shot (13.88m), and finished second behind team mate Decker Walker in the Hammer. Dave Harding returned from injury with a super throw of 52.54m to win the Javelin, followed by brother Pete in third place.
Perhaps the most inspiring performances of the day came from OUAC veteran Sean Gourley, a fantastic asset to the club who sealed his final year in Oxford with style. Gourley won no less than four events on the day: the Pole Vault (4.20m) with team mate Mason Grower in second, the Long Jump (a new best of 7.21m) and Triple Jump, supported in both by Jonny Lowe, and a surprise victory in the 110m hurdles as well. More outstanding performances came from James Hogan, winner of the 800m in 1.55.
, and an Oxford one-two in the steeplechase by Fraser Thompson and Dave Bruce. Thompson then showed tremendous Dark Blue spirit in the men’s 5000m, fighting for second place in the home straight in a race won by Oxford distance star Ben Moreau (14.39.5). Exceptional performances were also rife in the Seconds Match, with a vast quantity of wins on both track and field. Hannah Barnes got Oxford off to a positive start in the Pole Vault, winning with a jump of 2.
0m whilst Steph Topp cruised to victory in the 400m hurdles. Rachel Ward made a welcome return to competition in style by winning the 800m in 2.25 and the Mile in 5.25, supported in this doubling up by Zoe Barber.
Oxford women took first and second places in five events in the meet: the 400m (Kate and Eve Bugler), the 5000m (Cathy Ansell and Sarah Pemberton), the 2000m steeplechase (Laura Kyte and Anair Beverly), the High Jump (Danielle Fidge and Louise Broadbent), and the Long Jump (Steph Madgett and Katie Williams). It was a busy day for Madgett who also scored precious points in the 100m, 200m, Triple Jump and Javelin.
In the relays, the Seconds went one better than the Blues to win both the 4x100 and 4x400 races. In the men’s competition, Captain Jon Buckler responded with strength following recent injury problems by winning the Long Jump and the Triple Jump, setting huge personal bests in both—6.23m and 12.63m respectively.
In fact, the men nearly made a clean sweep of the field, with victories from Bola Ogidan (High Jump), Adrian Cunliffe, Richard Thompson (Pole Vault), Ben Cossey (Discus) and Justin Puleo (Shot). On the track, Justin Richards was victorious in the 400m, despite fears of a torn hamstring. Mark Ponsford bounced back from his defeat in the 100m to win the 200m, and Cross- Country Blue Martin Bishop comfortably took top spot in the Steeplechase.
A tight finish as Oxford win the 100m
Revenge was indeed sweet as Oxford turned the tables on their arch rivals to take away all four match titles. A special mention must also go to Katie Sam, who bravely doubled up in the 800m and 400m, and Frances Smithson, who just lost out to Phyllis Agbo in the jumps. Both girls represented the squad well and showed tremendous spirit in the face of tough competition.
Oxford athletes can now look forward to a small rest before taking on the likes of Loughborough and Oxon County later in the term.
25th May 2006