Oxford University 1sts Vs University of Leicester 1sts
In a convincing 79-30 win against the Leicester first team, the Oxford Blues set themselves up nicely for this weekend’s Varsity match and set the bar high for the Roos taking on Nottingham Trent immediately after.
Oxford University 2nds Vs Nottingham Trent University 2nds
Perhaps inspired by the huge Blues victory, the Roos pulled off a win – scoring the highest number of goals of any of their matches this year. Despite further injuries that have plagued the team all year, which meant Izzy Phillips made a return to the defensive circle at GD, the Roos were calm and composed throughout. Whilst BUCS results might make the Roos look like underdogs going into Varsity this weekend, the way they have been playing recently suggests otherwise.
Varsity 2017
Oxford Emus Vs Cambridge Swallows:
36-34 to Oxford
POTM: Ellie Peel
Oxford Roos Vs Cambridge Jays:
36-31 to Oxford
POTM: Ellen O’Brien
Oxford Blues Vs Cambridge Blues:
47-41 to Cambridge
POTM: Frankie Anderson
Whilst I would love to be able to write an in-depth match report for each of the 3 incredible matches, the whole day is a bit of a blur! The combined scores 113-112 (to Oxford hehe) show what a great contest there was this year, whereas in previous years the results of the 2nds and 3rds matches have sometimes been a forgone conclusion, there really was everything to play for this time. There is also such a strong sense of community within OUNC this year, that whilst it wasn’t quite the Triple Shoe-ing we were hoping for, it was nevertheless a massively successful day for the club, and for netball as a sport. The standard of play was so high, the atmosphere was insane and all 6 teams showed such composure, commitment and class; everyone involved should be incredibly proud.
Huge thanks go to: Tricia Kilczynski and Catherine Lavender for their efforts in coaching all 3 teams, Laura Venables for organising all the logistics of the Varsity weekend, everyone on the OUNC committee who helped make plans run smoothly and of course, perhaps more than anyone, our travelling supporters, who without the shadow of a doubt played a big part in our success.
Lastly, thank you to CULNC for hosting the matches and providing such a high level of competition; despite the rivalry between us, this weekend was an amazing demonstration of sportsmanship, hard work and excellence.
Here’s to the Triple Shoe in 2018.