The 92nd Varsity Match
St Paul’s School, Barnes
Saturday, 19th February 2022
In a match played with its usual friendly intensity the Oxford Men’s VIII maintained their recent dominance, winning by 333-211, while the Cambridge Women’s IV inflicted a heavy defeat on the inexperienced Oxford team.
There was a Sparrows v Beavers Match, which the Oxford team won comfortably, but it required guest appearances by former and future members of both universities to make up the necessary numbers. Oxford also won the Women’s Reserves match.
Commiserations to Cambridge’s Ben Yass, who was forced to retire after being hit by a ball in his Singles match. Congratulations to the four captains, Jamie Dare and Emrys Thursfield, Gabriela van Bergen and Holly Nugent, in raising their sides and getting to St Paul’s on time despite the transport problems caused by stormy weather. Huge thanks to referee Marcus Bate for his calm and efficient organisation and running of the 92nd of these fixtures.
With the majority of this year’s players still eligible and with several promising players coming from Fives-playing schools next year, the standard in 2023 can only be higher and the competition all the more intense.
Click here for full results
The Oxford Squad
The Cambridge Squad
Oxford Men triumphant
Cambridge Women all smiles